M6DX GROUP EQUIPMENT

We use a portable  trailer mast which stands 50 foot high. the antenna system  consists of a  doublet long wire cut for top band  through to 10 meters 265 foot long. 3 element beam.  For 20,15,10 VHF  2 meters 4 element beam.

The radio equipment used is a KENWOOD TS 2000  for VHF and a ICOM IC 706 MK2G for VHF and UHF and others. 50amp Aston power supply to power all the radio equipment up, but most important of all is our 2 x 2kw generators to keep the tea rolling in.

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NEW FOR 2009

ANOTHER HOME BREW ANTENNA

CAROLINA  WINDOM  80m to 10m

 The wire antenna consists of two pieces of single core wire 4mm thick but you don’t have to use that thickness if you don’t want to. Cut two lengths  one at 50 foot long and the other at 83 foot long then you would need to purchase a 4 to 1 balun you can buy these from most radio shops or ebay. The one that I use is home made and power rated 1 KW pep.

The next thing is the feed line I use RG213. From the balun measure 22 foot of coax  mark it with some tape.

The next thing you want to make is a RF coil this is easy all you have to do is wrap about 10 turns of coax from the spot where you have taped it around a bit of 3inch drain pipe then tape over to keep in place this is the RF coil. Make sure that you have some coax left to go to your radio the S.W.R is 1.15 to 2.1 through 80 meters to 10 meters some radios will need an external ATU (antenna tuning unit)

If you cannot get that length of wire in your garden just make the lengths of the wire one at 25 foot and the other at 41 foot this will tune from 40 meters to 10. Beats the pants off a G5RV.

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COBWEBB ANTENNA

New for next session Cobwebb Antenna built by M6STV it consists of 4 x fishing rods aluminium centre plate a drum of 2 core 3mm cable . This Antenna took me about a week to build and cost a lot less than buying the genuine thing.

It cost in total to build about £35 I have tested the Antenna on my mast at home and it works as good as my genuine one. I made this Antenna with a difference it has 6 meters on it instead of 10 meters. I have not tested it on this band yet as there is no propagation I will have to wait.

The next project is I am going to build a dedicated 20 meter trap and coil inverted V dipole.

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Luna venus caravan [shack] 

The M6DX Group is now the proud owner of a 5 birth Luna Venus Caravan which will be converted into our static shack on the east coast of Yorkshire.  It was in excellent condition when we purchased it and only needed a slight clean.  This work was carried out by two female group members to whom we give thanks. 

Modifications will be carried out in the early part of 2009 ready for the official launch in April.  The M6DX Group will still be on the road with our portable shack and all members are looking forward to working from old and new locations.

The caravan now means that we can work in most weather conditions, as its location is ideal for all types of weather.

We are still looking for extra equipment that we can take to the shack as and when we need it, so our eyes and ears are always active.

The promotion of the M6 Callsign is really covering the world and thanks to everyone that has come back to us.

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