~ Kathy and I on HF  ~

After 2019 we wanted to try to get back on HF.  There was so much to do to get this done.  Here is our current progress:

Get ahold of a decent radio. 

• • ✔️Check - We purchased an Icom 7300 radio and have set up a radio desk.  This gives us hope.  

Coax run to new station location.

• • ✔️LMR-400 Coax is run, along with our RG8 (that we used to use for our ham Friends VHF repeater).

Lay concrete pad, and make a hinge to raise aluminum antenna tower structure.  

• • ✔️Dug the hole for concrete base with two heavy duty cyclone fence posts to flank and be used as a pin hinge mount so we can lower mast for maintenance and when raised will have a pin to quick secure it as we reconnect guy wires.  

  • ✔️I attached the ROHN H50 Telescopic Antenna Push Up TV mast with a ISO 80/40 - 20/15/10 COMBO Band antenna on it. 

Raise the TV mast and steady it with guy wires.

• • ✔️Earl helped me raise the non-extended mast vertical and anchor to the house bracket.  October 3, 2019

  • ✔️Craig and I poured the concrete base to set the two cyclone fence posts as support and hinge posts for the mast in place.   Oct 5th, 2019

  • ✔️Added end to new LMR-400 coax and installed.  2019

  • ✔️Ryan W.(KB7SYB) drove me up to pick a MFJ-949E used from Gresham, Portland  that Erick J.(KD6RRR) told me was available for $99 (Normally $230) 2019

  • ✔️October 2023 - Bought a NanoVNA-H4  NANOVNAH Antenna Analyzer Comparison

  • Extend the 43 ft mast to get some height out of it.  (The mast is 9ft. higher than my old 34 ft wood pole mast that rotted out. :)

Assemble all together and... 

• • To Do List for our HF Radio Station  A document checklist of our progress.

  • ✔️November of 2023 the IC-7300 is still unmatched to the isotron array.  My only hope would be to purchase and install something like a 10-40M EFHW and I would be happy with that as one could be affordable and I could lower and raise one from the ground.   I would remove and recycle the isotron array to make the mast lighter. 

  • ✔️12/17/2023 - I bought an EFHW-8010-LP from MyAntennas.com as the tuning adjustment is so much simpler.  At this point I decided an EFHW would be the most affordable option and I will have the best chance of getting me on the air.  What is the point of having an antenna that is too complicated for me to use.  I received it on 1/6/2024 an look forward to installing and testing it. 

    • ✔️3/18/2024 - Kathy(KD7PJW) and I Installed My Antennas 10-80 EFHW.

Paul's Morse Code Endeavors

• M0re on my CW Keys, equipment and practice progress pages:  I have purchased some keys, oscillators and continue practicing.  I hope to get 7300 going so I can practice online.

•    I struggled with timing when learning music, and the same happened with straight key.  Fortunately, using a keyer as a metronome helped me improve my timing on my Kent Twin.  I now know all the characters, numbers, and common prosigns.  I finished LICW Beginners 1, and I tried Beginners 2, but they use 12/10 wpm which I'm still working on (gradually increasing my speed to 12/9 wpm).

•    My goal is to achieve a consistent 12 wpm.  While I can send characters faster than 12 wpm, I still need to master Farnsworth spacing.  By slowing down to 12 wpm, I hope to join the Beginners 2 class and gradually wean myself off Farnsworth.  Even at a flat 12 wpm, I could participate on the air.  With more practice, perhaps I can reach 13 or even 14 wpm!

Updated March 18, 2024