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Latest NewsFeb 2006KVK Antenna Systems will have a major display of antennas & books @Australia's premier hamfest at Wyong. 4KVK will also be there giving a presentation on his books. Click here for more info. 24 Nov 20054KVK attends BARC meeting for presentation on his books 12 Nov 2005KVK Antenna Systems display @Gold Coast Radio & Electronics Fair. More 16 Sep 20054KVK attends North Queenslands TARC to give presentations on his books and antennas. More! May 20053 new books from VK4KVK are announced Click here for more info. |
www.kvkantennas.com.au
Masts
One of the bigger challenges that hams face is that of getting their HF or VHF antennas into the air. This is complicated by the fact that HF antennas need to be installed at heights comparable to their wavelengths.
In an ideal world, it would be easy to place an antenna at 20m - a convenient 1-wavelength at 14MHz and a quarter-wavelength at 3.5MHz. But the reality is - the mast or tower can cost as much or more than the rig(s) the ham uses. This dilemma gave rise to a problem for KVK Antenna Systems also. What do you use for a mast when you take your antennas to a hamfest?
VK4KVK found the solution in the form of a mobile mast on a trailer hauled behind a 4WD. Made from aluminium for low weight, it provides a means of raising field-day antennas to a height of 7+m. Not a large mast - but then the goal included giving hamfest attendees get the chance to see the antennas up close. It is a two-section mast with the second section being a 50mm OD tube for easily mounting any of the restricted space antennas discussed on this site.
This same mast is easily built for the ham backyard. Where as it was built to mount on a mobile trailer complete with gin-pole type device to assist raising it, there is no reason why it cannot be installed off the wall of the ham shack or house.
It does not pretend to replace a full size mast or winch-up tower. But what it does do well is address the situation where a ham might only have modest means of funding a mast or available space in the back yard. KVK Antenna Systems uses this mast on field days - it has been used to display both 14MHz and 10MHz NuBeams.
Features of the mast
- light weight
- easy t o install
- fits restricted space scenarios
- low profile
Vipole, NuBeam, QuadFoldedDipole, Size does matter! and More antenna, less space. are trademarks or registered trademarks of KVK Antenna Systems.