The RadioWave
Net can now
also be heard on the
N2HLT Repeater System
throughout the central and southern tiers of
New
York State and Northern Pennsylvania.
K2FX Amateur Radio Page
K2FX Amateur Radio Page
Listen for
K2FX News Reports ONLY on "This Week In
Amateur Radio International"
as well as a Repeater System near you!
"This Week In Amateur Radio
International" is heard on WBCQ, Monticello Maine Sundays at 4:00PM on 7.415
MHz
DXWATCH.COM - Amateur Radio DX
Cluster
| Solar X-rays: Geomagnetic Field: |
|
|
The RadioWave Net!
K2FX can also be heard every 1st
Tuesday
Night of each month (except for the summer months of June July and August) on the "The RadioWave Net" as your Net Control Station.
If you are in the Rochester, NY area, please join us on the 145.110 WR2AHL
Repeater System - beginning at
7:00PM Local Eastern Time.
The RadioWave Net is activated for the purposes
of:
*Promoting fellowship among Amateur Radio
Operators around the world.
* Providing an opportunity for everyone to test their equipment and net
operating skills.
*Bringing new and interesting topics for discussion relating to Amateur Radio and
the Sciences.
The RadioWave
Net can now
also be heard on the
N2HLT Repeater System
throughout the central and southern tiers of
New
York State and Northern Pennsylvania.
The net is beginning to
gain popularity around the country,
as more and more of you are listening via Echolink!
Connect to Echolink,
and then look for the WR2ROC-R (University of Rochester) link.
Won't YOU join us?
There is also some discussion about taking the Net to HF on 75-Meters.
Would you like to see this net go to HF? Voice your opinion by emailing me
at: k2fx@arrl.net
The Next RadioWave Net
will take place on
September 6, 2011 at 7PM Local Eastern Time
Topic for Discussion:
"EVP'S"
Electronic Voice Phenomena
Rochester, NY
145.110 WR2AHL
442.250 WR2ROC
443.750 N2HLT
Penn Yan, NY
145.250 N2HLT
Corning, NY
442.150 N2HLT
Bath, NY
442.250 N2HLT
Watertown, NY
442.450 N2HLT
Binghamton, NY
442.700 N2HLT
Syracuse, NY
442.750 N2HLT
Attica, NY
442.875 N2HLT
Tioga, PA
443.100 N2HLT
Elmira, NY
443.550 N2HLT
Waterloo, NY
443.950 N2HLT
Troy, PA
444.050 KB3DOL
Auburn, NY
444.500 N2HLT
Ithaca, NY
444.500 N2HLT
Dansvile, NY
444.600 N2HLT
Wellsboro, PA
444.600 N3FE
Alfred, NY
444.800 N2HLT
Napoli, NY
444.975 N2HLT
Just "LEARN THE CODE" and have some CW Fun!
Amateur Radio Station-K2FX
Paul J. Kolacki
2571 Kenyon Road
Ontario, New York 14519-9757
USA
Grid Locator: FN-13if
DX Stations Please QSL Via the Bureau or LOTW
Stateside Direct QSL
K2FX in 1973
(Age 13) as a newly licensed Novice.
My Callsign was WN2SNU. I became WA2SNU in
1975, and eventually K2FX in 1996.
Like most Ham Radio Operators, ever
since receiving my Novice license back in 1973, I've always dreamed of being able to erect
a Tower, but have never owned property that would make that possible. That is up
until the fall of 2001. Cyndie (K2SKY) and I bought a brand new home in the country
that came with 3 1/2 acres. From that point on, I knew it was just a matter of time
before I would begin such a project. After doing some extensive research on what was
available, I decided that somehow by the fall of 2002, I would make that dream a reality!
Myself and K2SKY documented the entire process with digital pictures from the first
scoop of soil as the base was being dug, right up to the finished product. We've
assembled these pictures, and have made them available on this site to share with all of
you for a couple of reasons. The obvious reason being the sense of pride it has
brought me, but I've also done this in an effort to help other Hams who may also have an
interest in doing such an installation. Believe me, this was no small project to
undertake, but in doing something like this, it only made sense to do it the right way,
and to make sure that what was being installed would last for many years to come, and
provide troublefree service. Going with too small a tower would limit me in the
future, yet going too big would have made the entire project too cost prohibitive.
So here is what I decided on. The tower purchased was a US Tower Corporation
HDX-555, Heavy Duty, 55 foot crank-up, capable of handling 30 square feet of antenna
windload. This tower required a base hole that turned out to be 6 1/2 feet deep, by
6 1/2 feet square. Next a steel rebar cage was constructed which weighed in at 285
pounds, that was lowered into the hole. From there a frame was constructed for the
pouring of the concrete, which also held the tower base plumb in place while the
11
square yards of concrete were poured!! Yes, I said
11 square
yards! I went with a 20 foot steel reinforced mast, thrust bearing,
coaxial spreader arms, and an M2 ORION OR-2800 Rotor to turn the whole thing. I
decided that the tower would be supporting four antennas for the time being. The
first antenna at the very top of the mast is a Cushcraft AR270B dual-band vertical.
Below that is a Cushcraft 148-20T, 20 element 144 MHz beam that has horizontal and
vertical polarization. Next is a Cushcraft 6 meter yagi. The HF Antenna that
was purchased is about one of the largest HF Array's you will ever see. It is a
Force 12, C39XRN, 14 Element antenna for 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. This antenna
weighs 200 pounds, and has a boom length of 40 feet! It is so large that it must be
trussed on the boom , and also on the two 40 meter elements. The design of this
antenna is incredible, and it's performance is not to be believed! Anyone who knows
anything about HF antennas knows that not much out there compares to a FORCE 12 for design
characteristics, performance, strength, and durability. They are not cheap, but in
my estimation, worth every penny. So lets go take a look. Click here to view the pictures, and
enjoy! If you have any questions about what I did with this new tower installation,
feel free to email me, and
I would be happy to answer any of your questions. Last but certainly not least, I would
like to thank Rick Dechau (KC2EVC) for all of his help with the Tower Installation.
His Construction equipment along with his assistance was invaluable, and a great time
saver, not to mention, it virtually made this entire process just a three person
operation. Hard to believe that a Tower and Antenna this size could go up so
easily! Rick's Company is called Readi Construction, and he is the
best!
Thanks again Rick!!!!
K2FX TOWER
PHOTOS
A Mast raising
fixture was added due to the weight of the Force 12 Yagi. If rotor
maintenance should ever be required in the future,
it would be very difficult to
get the mast out of the rotor to perform the work. So I've added a US Tower Mast
Raising Fixture (MRF)
which will hoist the mast vertical when needed and hold
the weight while the rotor is serviced.
I should note that the M2 Orion
OR-2800 Rotor has been working flawlessly since its installation, but this is a
safeguard that can't be overlooked.
I've also installed a US Tower MD-75 Heavy
Duty Motor unit for the HDX-555 Tower. This past Winter, even though mild,
turned out to be quite windy,
and I would routinely raise and lower the tower
based on weather conditions. Winds to 50MPH were quite prevalent.
With all of the weight on this tower, manual cranking was soon becoming a very
big pain. So adding the MD-75 made perfect sense.
Here are some pictures of the project!
The Truck & Trailer that brought in the Boom Lift.
Courtesy of Readi Construction and KC2EVC
The great Readi Construction Boom Lift
Returns!!!
The
LB on the house, and Schedule 40 PVC that is now housing all Coax Feedlines
and Control Lines to the Tower Base Outdoor Box
New 8' Ground Rods driven below ground level.
They were later covered and all Ground Cable
was ran underground as well. This makes maintenance around the tower much
easier
and the appearance much neater!
One of the new 500' Spools of Genuine Times
Microwave LMR-400db. No more crappy
9913, or RG-8 Cable in any of my runs!
A closer look at the custom fabricated PVC Line
coming into the NEMA 3R Box.
4 X 4 posts were cemented 4-feet into the ground, and then pressure treated and
waterproof
plywood was affixed to support the NEMA Box. Note the Electrical line
coming into the bottom
of the box. This supplies power for the Tower Motor Control, GFI Outlets,
and Internal Box Light.
The electrical feed has a Master Switch located in the house, and supplies power
only as I
need it. This prevents any tampering if anyone should try, and gives me
piece of mind knowing that
power is only live when and if I desire. This NEMA 3R Box is water and
weather proof keeping
all switches warm and dry.
Feedlines inside the PVC/LB just before they
enter the box.
I just needed to install the LB Cover
to finish this part off.
George, AG2M (ex KC2SWZ) a nearby Ham who's help was
invaluable and Greatly Appreciated! George
spent many hours helping with the trenching, re-cabling, and general
grunt work needed to complete the project!
He showed up one day because he heard me talk about the project on a local VHF
Net, and
Volunteered his services!!
Thank You George! We need more like you in the
hobby.
Control Operator and Tower Owner, Paul, K2FX
A look at the new DX Engineering Remote Coax
Switch safely mounted in the box. Note the nicely
done Times Microwave PL-259 Connectors. These are commercial grade Crimp
on connectors
EZ-400-UM that are pretty much full proof. EXPENSIVE they are at about
$15.00 EACH, and the tool kit to
install them about $375.00!!! However, these will last practically as long
as I need them to. ALL
Coax Feedlines at the box, and at the antennas now have these connectors and the
LMR-400db Cable.
You will also notice the tied up Poly Line on the left. Poly line was left
in the PVC System at both ends
should I ever need to pull more cable into the system, or swap out any runs!
HF/6 Meter Feeds on the left, and VHF/UHF on the
right. The Tower Motor Control Switch is
located top Center. A Florescent Light was installed for visibility should
I ever
need to lower the tower at night. The NEMA Box is well grounded.
The project is just about finished in this
picture. AlI that was needed to be done was to tie wrap the
box coax runs into a neater configuration, and duck seal
for additional weather
protection,
which is now done.
K2FX Radio Room/Broadcast Center
This Hamshack also doubles as the recording studio where News Anchor segments for the Program
"This Week In
Amateur Radio"
are recorded, and sent to the Satellite Center.
(Studio A) Station K2FX as of January
2010
Heil PR40 Microphone, SM-2C Shock Mount, and PL-2T
Microphone Boom
The Ameritron Al-1500 Amp, and Palstar
AT4K Antenna Tuner
The new
Vintage Station (Studio B). Yaesu FT-101ZD MK III (Serial # 1N 300875)
(December 1981 Last Series) Transceiver,
SP-901P Speaker with
Phone Patch,
FV-101DM VFO, and theYO-901 Monitor Scope. (All in Collector Condition)
Acquired in March 2008
The new Drake C-Line (Studio C). T-4XC
Transmitter
(Serial # 29784) , R-4C Receiver
(Serial # 27622),
MN-2000 Antenna Tuner (Serial # 8600),
and MS-4/AC-4 Speaker Power
Supply.
This equipment had been stored away for years before I purchased it,
and came complete with original
boxes and manuals that look like they
have never even been opened. The R-4C now has a full compliment of
Sherwood Engineering Modifications. (March 2009)
Another K2FX Pristine Vintage Station. (ALL
in Collector Condition)
Acquired in October 2008
The Cool Blue Display that
the T-4XC and R-4C now have installed.
Drake FS-4 Frequency Synthesizer (FINALLY) Acquired
September 2010
The Drake R-4C and the FS-4 have had the Sherwood FS-4 Modification which allows
the FS-4 to remain in line at all times via switching relay. It does
not need to be connected
to an empty Crystal Socket to function or disconnected by removing the cable to
take it out of line as originally configured by Drake.
Injection ports were added to both units as well as a DC Line to power the
relays.
It took me quite a while to find one in collector condition to complete my
C-Line Collection
Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Final Edition
Serial #00011
K2FX Current Station Equipment
MAIN HF STATION (Studio A)
Yaesu FT-1000MP (Main HF Rig)
Yaesu DVS-2 DVR Recorder & FH-1 Remote Control Keypad for the FT-1000MP
Heil PR-40 Microphone with SM-2C Shock Mount, PL-2T Boom Mount,
and RS-1 12" Riser
TouchPaddle CW
Keyer with Gold Plated Paddles
W2IHY EQplus Audio Processor
W2IHY 8-Band Equalizer & Noise Gate
Ameritron AL-1500Q (HF 1500++ Watt Amplifier, single tube
(3CX1500A7/8877)
with the QSK5PC unit
installed!
Ameritron ARB-704 Linear Amplifier Interface
Ameritron
ATP-102 Tuning Pulser II (Tunes
my HF Amp quickly, effortlessly and perfectly every time
Palstar AT4K Antenna Tuner (4KW Antenna Tuner)
VINTAGE STATION 1 (Yaesu FT-101ZD MKIII Series) (Studio B)
(Acquired March 2008)
Yaesu FT-101ZD MK III (December 1981 Late Serial Number) (Collectors Like
New Condition!)
Yaesu FV-101DM Matching VFO for the FT-101ZD (Collectors Like New Condition)
Yaesu SP-901P Speaker for the FT-101ZD (Collectors Like New Condition)
Yaesu YO-901 Monitor Scope for the FT-101ZD (Collectors Like New Condition)
Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle Microphone (Final Edition in a Glass Case!!!)
(Absolutely Perfect!) (Serial 00011)
VINTAGE STATION 2
(Drake C-Line Series) (Studio C)
(Acquired October 2008)
Drake
T-4XC Transmitter (Late Serial Number) (Collectors Like New Condition)
Drake R-4C Receiver
(Late Serial Number) (Collectors Like New
Condition)
Drake FS-4 Frequency Synthesizer
(Late Serial Number) (Collectors Like New
Condition)
Drake MN-2000 Antenna Tuner
(Late Serial Number) (Collectors Like New
Condition)
Drake MS-4 Speaker and AC4 Power Supply
(Collectors Like New Condition)
Bencher BY-2 (CW Paddle) (CW All The Way!!!)
MAIN
VHF/UHF & HF PORTABLE
STATION (Studio D)
(Acquired March 2011)
KENWOOD TS-2000 HF/VHF/UHF
Alinco DM-330MVT Power Supply 5-15 Volt Variable & 32 Amps
Chameleon V1 Portable Antenna System (Simply Awesome Antenna!)
13 Foot Tripod with Counterpoise to
support the Chameleon V1
Tokyo Hy-Power HL-350Vdx VHF Amplifier (350 Watts) (Solid State Amp) (One of
the Best
VHF Amps on the market!)
OTHER EQUIPMENT
Yaesu FT-8800R
(2 Units) (Dual Band Mobile)
ICOM IC-W32A (Dual Band Handheld)
2006 Jeep Liberty Vehicle is Equipped with a Roof
Installed NMO Mount with a Jetstream High Gain Dual Band Antenna
Kantronics KAM XL (Dual Port HF, VHF/UHF TNC Data Controller) Running Pacterm For Windows
Software
Heathkit SB-634 (Station Console)
Astron RS-70M Power Supply
MFJ-890 DX Beacon Monitor
160 Meter G5RV Dipole (Up at 85')
US Tower HDX-555: 55-Foot Heavy Duty Crank-Up Tower
MD-75 Motor Unit for the HDX-555 Tower
US Tower (MRF) Mast Raising Fixture
M2 Orion OR-2800 Rotor, capable of 35 Square Feet of Antenna
Load
Force 12 C39XRN: 14 Element HF Yagi Beam for 40, 20, 15, and 10
Meters (40' Boom. Over 200 Pounds. It's a Monster!)
Cushcraft 148-20T 2 Meter Beam (Vertical and Horizontal
Polarization) (Tower Mounted)
Diamond X510 HDM (Dual Band Vertical) (Tower
Mounted)
Cushcraft 3 Element 6 Meter Beam (Tower Mounted)
DX Engineering
DXE-RR8A-HP/CC-8 Remote Antenna Switch & Control
Box
Ameritron RCS-10 Antenna Relay Switch & Control Box
Realistic PRO-2006 Scanner (Still one of the best ever produced)
Here are some spectacular
pictures taken of an Aurora as it streamed directly over my tower
installation.
THIS IS WAY COOL!!
These pictures are of an
incredible Double Rainbow as it illuminated directly over my tower
installation.
The shots were taken by my wife (K2SKY) on November 16, 2006
following a day of Heavy Rain.
The Sun decided to make an appearance late in the day!
