Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Let it Snow, Snow, Snow!

Well,

Interesting view from AntennaCam this morning:


Local conditions.

Friday, 23 February 2018

3cm Again

Well,

You may recall my adventures back here on 10 GHz.

Well, today I have decided to resurrect the project and see what happens if I put a dish up on the new mast.

So I got myself a waterproof enclosure, and re-housed the gubbins:


I also have a new mesh dish with a 1M diameter:


Theory says about 37dB or so gain.

I have to pop to the Middle East for a few days, but will get this up in the air when I return.

Here's my very lovely Luna Cat at home in the shack:


Good, egh?

Sunday, 18 February 2018

New Mastamabob

Well,

Following several repairs to my mast, I eventually decided to get something stronger and more suitable to the load I have on the top.

My old mast was somewhat like Triggers Broom from Only Fools and Horses; Trigger claims that he's had his road sweeper's broom for 20 years. But then he adds that the broom has had 17 new heads and 14 new handles.

So a new mast was ordered from MM0CUG.

This is all galvanised steel box construction and is much sturdier than the previous. Gary (MM0CUG) made something bespoke for my location to cater for the house apex with a higher tilt point and longer wall brackets. He even drove down from Scotland with the mast on his van and fitted it for me.


So here you can see the motorised electric winch that is used for tilting the mast over and lifting it back to the vertical:


The mast has been concreted in at the base, but is also wall mounted with four very substantial anchor points to the bracket:




And yes, it telescopes too!

Local conditions.