Find on this site... Site Index  ·Classes ·Exams ·Clubs ·Hamfests ·Addresses    Search site:    Call sign search:   ARRL Member Login... Username:   Password:    Register    Forgot userid/password?  Quick Links... ·Join or Renew ·Catalog & Store ·ARRL Courses ·Classifieds ·Getting Started

Operating Activities Licensing News/Bulletins Services Education Public Service Support Donate to ARRL ARRL Info Text-only

ARRL Products: Low Power/QRP (More) MFJ 20-meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit -- Enjoy countless hours operating this tiny high performance QRP Transceiver. Low Power Scrapbook -- A compilation of the best QRP articles from recent years. QRP Romps! -- Now you can work the world with low power! ARRL's Low Power Communication -- Build and operate low-power radio gear-the QRP way! 3rd Edition. ARRL's Low Power Communication with 40-meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit -- Build and operate low-power radio gear--the QRP way! 3rd Edition. Includes the 40-meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit.

Previous: ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately?

Next: All Eyes on Antalya: ITU Plenipotentiary Conference to Convene in Turkey

W1AW Completes "The Big (Antenna) Project"

Is this how this is supposed to go together? Matt Strelow, KC1XX (left), and W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, puzzle out some instructions.

A broken director on the 20-meter Yagi on the 120-foot tower moved the antenna project much higher on the agenda.

The new rotatable 40-meter Yagi goes up the 120-foot tower, where Andy Toth awaits its arrival.

(L-R) Carcia, Strelow and ARRL Building Manager Greg Kwasowski, W1GJK, outfit an antenna for installation.

NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 1, 2006 -- Can you hear us now? W1AW's typically strong signals may be pushing S meters a tad higher now, following the replacement this fall of nearly every one of the station's antennas (see sidebar). The last major upgrade was in 1989. Despite the wear and tear inflicted during numerous New England winters, the old antennas -- installed on four towers at the W1AW site adjacent to ARRL Headquarters -- had been getting the job done reliably. Even so, replacing all of the aging aluminum had been on the agenda for a while, W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, said, but it was the loss of one-half of a director on a 20-meter rotatable Yagi at the very top of the 120-foot tower that pushed the project to top priority.

"Instead of just piece-mealing it, we decided to do the major antenna replacement now," he explained. "Antenna for antenna, they're essentially the same capability or better." Interest from the W1AW Endowment Fund, which depends on members' contributions, covered the nearly $24,000 project cost. All of the new antennas were manufactured by M2 and replaced Cushcraft units.

The W1AW antenna farm includes both fixed-direction "bulletin" Yagis as well as several rotatable Yagis that can serve to fill in "holes" in W1AW's coverage pattern and are available for use by radio amateurs who visit W1AW to operate.

While the new antenna farm may mean "a few dB" of additional signal during bulletin and code practice transmissions, Carcia says, visiting ops will be the primary beneficiaries. A five-element 20-meter Yagi replaced the old three-element unit available for visitors.

"I've already noticed that when we put visitors on 20 meters, we've had very good reports at barefoot power levels," he reports. Carcia says that while the five-element Yagi's pattern is a bit more narrow, it has a much better front-to-back ratio. The new antennas also will enhance ARRL's ability to put the station on the air for contests, special occasions and during emergencies.

W1AW undertook the massive antenna swap in consultation with ARRL antenna expert Dean Straw, N6BV, and installation contractor (and noted contester and DXer) Matt Strelow, KC1XX.

Replaced were all 14 of W1AW's HF Yagis as well as Yagis for 2 meters and 70 cm. The 120-foot tower alone supports two Yagis for 40, three for 20, two for 15 and one for 10 meters. The project included changing out a lightning-damaged rotator on the big tower.

One especially significant antenna upgrade involved the 30-meter system. W1AW went from a cut-down 40-meter Yagi to a "monster" full-size 30-meter Yagi that dwarfed the ground crew tasked with handling it. The 15 and 12 meter Yagis went from three elements to four. Carcia also installed a new 160-meter dipole using Poly 13 UV-jacketed stranded copper-clad steel wire.

The antenna upgrades took about four days in all, spread out over a period of a few weeks. While the weather cooperated by and large, Carcia says inclement weather did get in the way at one point. Strelow, an assistant and several members of the ARRL HQ staff performed the work, which included a tower inspection. The old antennas -- some damaged and all requiring new hardware -- were offered "as is" to ARRL staff members. Carcia says he's pleased with the results.

"I'm very impressed by the performance overall, but especially on 17 meters," Carcia said of the new system. "We are putting 1 kW into three elements. The amp is extremely happy with the antenna."

The new 5-element 20-meter beam goes into place on the "big" tower.	(L-R) Carcia, Kwasowski and Strelow transport the "monster" 30-meter beam to the pickup point below the tower.
The 120-foot tower with all the new antennas in place. A falcon, barely visible on the uppermost antenna boom, is overseeing the whole project.	All four W1AW towers!

Previous: ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately?

Next: All Eyes on Antalya: ITU Plenipotentiary Conference to Convene in Turkey