Muskegon ARC Field Day, 1992
This is one of my spares. It's up about 160 feet. The FCC allows 200'
without special permission. The FAA preempts this regulation near airways.
I tried
for a special permit once and was denied - I wanted to use a Zepp for 160
meters. Although the station location east of Muskegon disallowed the
taller antenna, the application procedure was an experience worth the
while.. a procedure which required me to procure a topological map
indicating the ground elevation, accurate to the foot above sea level. I
also learned how to provide a lightweight blinking light up there, using
the radio energy to power the fluorescent bulb.
Here you see the 450 ohm ladder-line feeder, used to provide the standing
wave and resulting impedance match at the transmitter. The 5/8 wave
radiator is connected to one leg of the feed line. The dacron cord also
seen is to take stress off the copper. This photo does not do justice to
the spectacle of that distant balloon.