My Cozy Corner

[w2rea]

Here is my updated setup. The radio and antenna list is as follows:
ICOM IC746 PRO
KENWOOD TM 271
UNIDEN/BEARCAT 800 XLT
RADIO SHACK PRO197 (USED FOR RR FEED)
RADIO SHACK DX-390
DELL & HP COMPUTERS (DELL USED FOR RR FEED AND ALSO CONTROLLS THE ICOM)

ANTENNAS:

EAGLE ONE VERTICAL (MOUNTED TO A TREE)
6 METER GROUNDPLANE
2 METER 4 ELEMENT BEAM
2 METER J POLE MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE BEAM MAST
40 METER DIPOLE
SCANNER MASTER *I THINK* (USED FOR RR FEED)

 

[w2rea]

The mobile, motorola maratrac, uniden bc560 xlt, cobra 138xlr

The other pic is the base of the eagle one vertical. It is grounded, grounded, and grounded again! Still not enough! It is a compromise HF antenna for a city lot but it works OK. I have worked Japan, Australia, Russia, Alaska, ect... on it.

 

[VE3RADIO]

Nice.. Where in WNY are you?

 

[w2rea]

Jamestown
call is W2REA

 

[N5TWB]

I am about the farthest thing from a tree-hugger but did you really consider the long-term effects of mounting directly into the tree trunk for that vertical? Why not just go ahead with a ground mount? I'm having trouble following the logic behind that choice.

 

[w2rea]

I don't think a couple small bolts will hurt anything. I have seen maple trees tapped for years with no effect. The main reason is my wife likes the stealth mount, and I have a 9 & 7 year old and just about every other kid in the neighborhood running around the yard. I wish I had room for a tower, but I had to compromise.

 

[N5TWB]

I don't think a couple small bolts will hurt anything. I have seen maple trees tapped for years with no effect. The main reason is my wife likes the stealth mount, and I have a 9 & 7 year old and just about every other kid in the neighborhood running around the yard. I wish I had room for a tower, but I had to compromise.

You have a point about the maple trees. How'd you handle the counterpoise wires with that level of traffic in the yard?

 

[w2rea]

I used a sidewalk edger to split the sod a little and buried the wire. I plan on burying a bunch more before winter.

 

[WatnNY]

Very nice on the cozy corner station! And I could care less if you tapped into a tree for your antenna mount. It's what works for YOU!

The TM271 are good little radios aren't they? I can't believe they're $179, yet the UHF version the TM471 is over $400!

Mike

 

[KC4RAF]

Great looking shack you got there sir!

What surprised me was the Cobra 138. Didn't know that model had sideband. (I've still got the 148gtl and 2000. but don't use them.)
You have what makes a lot of us drool! lol
BTW, did you get a QSL card from the Russian station you worked?

 

[w2rea]

Thanks Mike, The TM-271 is a nice little rig. When I passed the tech exam one of the locals gave it to me for $100.00 to get me on the air. I know the antenna situation is less than ideal, but I am lucky I have what I have. My wife is not really keen on all the antennas, I have put up about all she can tolorate for now!

I think I might have a e-qsl from a Russian station. If I do I will post a pic of it.

I had another friend flat out give me all of his CB gear that had been in storage since the late 80's when I was getting back into the hobby. I get great reports with that Cobra but it gets very little use. I don't even keep the mag. mount on the roof, just slap it on if I feel like using it.

 

[w2rea]

Here is the Russian QSL. Nothing facny thats for sure.

 

[gewecke]

Nice little station!


73,
n9zas

 

[ridgescan]

Super nice station-very inviting base

 

[SCPD]

Speaking as a forester, you want to leave the bolts in if you take the antenna out of the tree in the future. Put the same bolts back in. The possibility for damage to the tree is far greater from the RF energy cooking the cambium (the living layer of wood just beneath the bark). However, the possibility is probably slight since the temperatures needed to cook and destroy the cambium are approximately equal to a white gas lantern hung from a tree 4-6 inches from the bark surface. Even at that the cambium on the other three sides of the tree can make up for any that is destroyed, in most cases anyway. The exceptions being if a disease or mechanical injury is present on the tree.

Sometimes holes made in tree trunks can allow disease to enter. Some people think that pruning tar prevents that. Not true, so don't bother just in case you had that thought.

 

[w2rea]

Thanks for the info on the tree. Only running 100w max, hopefully RF won't be a problem.

 

[hiltopdog]

Great set up. I happen to be visiting in Lakewood, NY when I saw this, I am from Cattaraugus County and it's always nice to see local setup's.