| I just spoke with one of our copper wire suppliers, a large mill, about the price of copper. Copper prices have increased substantially over the past year. Expect the price of wire and cable to continue to increase in the foreseeable future as the dollar continues to lose value. Anything involved with petroleum products is also on the rise. There is no surprise here. This includes all plastic products and, as you are aware, transportation cost are increasing, making everything more expensive. Shop now for those antenna projects. Input from our suppliers tells us that we can expect large increases in coax and wire prices in the future. The state of the economy is just making things even worse. |
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Black Dacron® Rope I now have an even better 3/16" single-braid Dacron® line. The mill that we have used for years is now making Dacron® rope in sizes that are perfect for our needs. I am currently stocking single-braid Dacron® line in three sizes, 3/16", 3/8" and a new size for me, 1/4". I find the 1/4" line is perfect for holding pulleys in trees. It's strong but not too heavy. The 3/8" line is getting a bit on the pricy side, so that makes the 1/4" line even more attractive. My recommendation now is to use the 1/4" line to hold the pulleys in the tree and use the 3/16" line to run through the pulley to the antenna. Of course, for optimum strength, and if you have the limbs to support the weight, 3/8" line through the tree to hold the pulleys and 1/4" line for the antenna would more that enough strength for the largest wire antenna arrays or the most severe icing problems. Ropes of this size will not stretch very much so the extra weight and minimal stretching put a large stress on your antenna wire. For most installations, the 3/16" and 1/4" combination is ideal. Also, many of the end insulators used on wire antennas will accept a rope no larger than 3/16". The solution to this problem is to simply drill out the hole in an insulator to 1/4" (smooth out the edges of the hole). Alternately, you could combine 3/8" line with 3/16" line. Kevlar™ Line I also have 1/8" Kevlar™ line with a Dacron® outer jacket. This is in addition to the .075" Kevlar™ line we've been selling for years. These two lines are perfect for guying the booms on beams, supporting vertical antennas, lightweight masts, etc. It is not suitable for guying towers! It is not heavy enough for that. Visit the Web Store for current prices. |
Currently, our 3/16" single-braid Dacron® line is available only in 100 foot and 200 foot hanks. The 1/4" and 3/8" Dacron® line is available in any length up to 500 continuous feet. 1/8" Kevlar™ is available in lengths up to 500 feet and the .075" Kevlar™ is available only on 200 foot spools. |
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Full Power Full Performance The performance of this antenna has been a constant source of surprises. Computer models predicted excellent results but on-the-air experience goes far beyond the computer predictions. Frankly, it's hard to believe the results I'm seeing when chasing DX. I have a standard test antenna that I've used for years. No wire antenna has yet done better than my test antenna. This is partly because the antenna is large and very high in the air. I have to say that the new CAROLINA WINDOM® 80 Compact has nearly always equaled my test antenna and in some directions is as much as 2 S-units better. This is no small thing. The biggest differences are on the all-important 20 meter band which the "Compact" acts as a stacked array with its folded elements. I'll keep you informed as I gain more experience with this antenna. CAROLINA WINDOM® Compact™ antennas is now available in our web store. Check it out. |
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I now have the first model of a new line of antennas specifically made and optimized for use in attics and other low height stealth locations. The first "attic" antenna is a modified version of our new CAROLINA WINDOM® 40 Compact. It's available in two models the CAROLINA WINDOM® 40 AV6 Compact (with a 6' Vertical Radiator) and the CAROLINA WINDOM® 40 AV9 Compact (with a 9' Vertical Radiator). Both antennas are only 34 feet long. It's an easy installation for most attics.Follow this link for more information. |
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Our line of "LP™" or Low Profile series of CAROLINA WINDOMS, Baluns and Line Isolators is still available. Some models are made on a "when ordered" basis. This delays delivery, but only by a few days. Important Changes in the new LP antennas. The power rating of the "LP" series of antennas have been increased. They now feature a 600 watt CW/SSB power rating. And, they come standard with #14 wire. |
We have the most effective "snap-on" ferrite cores.You'll find a large variety of different snap-on ferrite cores if you search the Internet. However, many of these are made for purposes not suitable or effective for the sort of RFI we experience in out radio installation. The ferrite mix used is of paramount importance. The ferrite mix we use (#31) is more expensive, but it's worth every penny if you have RFI problems. We now stock the new .41" snap-on core. It is a perfect snug fit for RG-213 size cables. This results in better performance because of the close coupling. |
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Super 240 RG-8X, is a lower loss version of RG-8X. It is also rated, from the factory, at 1500 watts. It features a micro-foam dielectric, with the appearance and robustness of a solid dielectric. It's double shielded. There are several versions of RG-8X available at the RADIO WORKS™ web store. We have everything you need to make sure that moisture does not ruin your coax or connectors. It you have cable and connectors outside in the weather, you need these supplies. Check them out |
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These are the low cost solution in automatic tuners for CAROLINA WINDOMS® and SuperLoops™. Link on over and take a look. The price is reasonable and the performance is high. MFJ has a new 1500 watt automatic tuner. I have one in my shack. It looks like a winner. Obviously, with big relays, it's a bit noisy. But, at least you know it's doing something! The readout provides a lot of information that you'd normally get only on an antenna bridge. I use it following a AL-1500 linear. I am a fan of automatic tuners, but I still keep a manual tuner handy for those times when the automatic tuners have problems tuning certain antennas. |
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Just for fun, you might want to drop by for a visit. I am rebuilding my hamshack (again) and you might want to drop by and see what I'm up to. I have replaced my FT-2000 with a Flex 5000A. Multiple LCD monitors are featured and ergonomics is high on the priority list to provide maximum performance with maximum ease of operation. The ICOM 7800 is still in use. I've always enjoyed building stations more than operating them, but this station is the test bed for many of our products, so it really is both a ham station and a laboratory. I'll try to keep the photos as up to date as possible. Eventually, I'll give more detailed information since I've received many requests for more of that sort of information. The whole point of this station's layout is to maximally avoid RFI problem and produce a really clean signal. Generally, this is not a problem, but my station is located on the second floor of my home where effective grounding is difficult. I'm also in the direct field of my antennas which have very low takeoff angles. RFI problems were severe, but they have been resolved. You can do the same thing at your station. I still have photos of my previous classic gear operating positions. Drop by for a trip through memory lane. Drop by "Jim's Hamshack" for a look. Note: Much of the equipment in these photos has found new homes. |
| Thanks to all of you who e-mailed with kind words
about this site. It is constantly being changed. If you have any suggestions,
favorite links, etc., just let me know and I'll try to work them
in. ....... Jim, W4THU |