Bob's Great Antenna
Adventure
Planning for the next
antenna is something that almost every amateur starts as
soon as the last one has been put up. For many of us, a Yagi
beam on a tower remains an elusive dream. Here's my brief
story.
I grew up in Milton
which is a suburb of Boston,
Massachusetts. After many years of shortwave radio
listening, I obtained my amateur radio license when my
wife and I moved to California in 1988. I now hold an Extra
class ticket but have kept my original call, N6RFM. Many
thanks to my Elmer, Mal, WA2UNP, for getting me actively
involved.
What began as a wire around the ceiling of a
condo soon became a roof-mounted Cushcraft
R5 and W9INN dipole spanning our postage stamp sized backyard
in San
Carlos, CA. While living in the Bay Area, I had also
experienced first hand the frustration and disappointments of
my close friend Jimmy, WD6CJB, in his quest to erect a beam in
Foster City, CA. Ultimately, the not-in-my-back-yard types
prevailed in that city of CC&R's
after endless court battles and anguish for my friend. Any
aspirations for a tower were greatly diminished.
Here on the East Coast, I was satisfied with a
Carolina
Windom up at 50 feet for over six years. It's a great
antenna and still up. But we always seem to be planning the
next antenna...
In California, I was a also member of the South County
ARES group. Local annoyances such as mud slides, fires
and earthquakes favor the well prepared. Here on the East
Coast, with the help of K1VSG, I
became active in ARES and RACES. I am currently the RACES Operator
for the Town of Northborough,
a Worcester
County Fire Disrict 7 RACES Officer, and an ARRL
Public Information Officer for Central Worcester County. Being
an active participant in emergency communications can be a
major factor in obtaining the required permits. A letter of
recommendation from local Civil Defense on town letterhead
helped me a great deal. All hams should participate in
emergency communications preparedness at some level. Get
started !
I'm an avid DX'er
and love contesting.
Joining the Yankee Clipper
Contest Club was a logical and fun step. Surrounded by
numerous (and many well known) DX'ers and contesters in the YCCC, it wasn't long before thoughts about a new
antenna began to take shape. In addition to your local
Elmer's, the TowerTalk
reflector is a great source of advice. After months of asking
questions and considering options, I decided to erect a fifty
foot high Rohn
25G tower with a Force 12
C4 beam at the top. This tower will support "future growth".
HI.
The
project took almost a year to complete.
- September, 1997 - Town of
Northborough proposes one year moratorium on
communications towers
Residents vote to accept this proposal at a Special Town
Meeting
(My amendment to exclude amateur towers from the
moratorium passes)
- November, 1997 - Begin to develop
strategy to obtain the "Building Permit"
- February, 1998 - Discuss plans with
Building Inspector
- March, 1998 - Application for Special
Permit
- April, 1998 - One year tower
moratorium becomes law (amateur radio towers exempted !)
- April, 1998 - Hearing before Zoning
Board of Appeals
- June, 1998 - Special Permit Granted;
Apply for Building Permit
- August 17, 1998 - Building Permit
Granted
- October 18, 1998 - First QSO Using
New Beam
Thanks Chai, HS1GNR !
"If you decide you need an attorney
after the application process has begun, it is probably
too late."
Anyone applying for a permit to erect a tower is well advised to
enlist the assistance of qualified and competent legal counsel.
I was fortunate to have K1VR on the
case. Thanks Fred.
Acknowledgements - I am grateful to numerous
individuals for their help and encouragement. Most especially,
to my lovely XYL, Sheila for "putting up with that nonsense",
my Dad, KV1W, K1VR, W1DXH, W1OJ, KA1CLX, WD6CJB, K1VSG, K6ANN,
N1PSE, Mr. Brad Newman (Northborough Civil Defense), W1CSM,
K1MBO, KE1FO, WA2UNP, K6ITL and my understanding neighbors!
Special thanks to all of my friends in theYCCC, Western Mass
ARES and RACES. Thanks also to N1DNU at HRO in
Salem, NH and to the folks at Force 12
, Texas
Towers and Champion Radio Products.
revised November 21, 2012