- 70
- 97 573
Dave Kelley
United States
Registrace 27. 12. 2011
Tower and beam inspection 2024
The Steppir is an amazing antenna, but it requires regular inspection to ensure all is well. Here's a rundown: This took 1.5 hours from start to finish. I worked hard to simplify the whole process to a simple chore that didn't involve ladders.
Accessories, like hoist mount, coax stand-offs, and rotator mount plate are from Chris, KF7P at www.kf7p.com. Very nice guy and premium products.
The young lady in the first few seconds posing in front of my 75A4 and KWS-1 is a good friend who models for me for my other hobby of artistic photography.
#steppir #kf7p #ustower #amateurradio #tower #maintaining #ai7r #tiltplate
Accessories, like hoist mount, coax stand-offs, and rotator mount plate are from Chris, KF7P at www.kf7p.com. Very nice guy and premium products.
The young lady in the first few seconds posing in front of my 75A4 and KWS-1 is a good friend who models for me for my other hobby of artistic photography.
#steppir #kf7p #ustower #amateurradio #tower #maintaining #ai7r #tiltplate
zhlédnutí: 166
Video
K3S
zhlédnutí 351Před 3 měsíci
This is a flyby of the K3S and accessories. I put this up as a demo that it was working 100% and it has been sold. I'm just leaving it here because I'm sure I'll miss it.
Waveform Antenna install for t_mobile home internet
zhlédnutí 477Před 3 měsíci
Living in the country has been a challenge for connectivity for the 23 years we've lived here. HughesNet, a could of microwave companies, and a few others I won't name, and they all worked. I'd say, better than nothing but not by much. ENTER T-Mobile and a Waveform antenna!! Watch the video...I'm getting from 100-300 mbps down and that is amazing!! #waveform #antenna #t-mobile #tmobile
AI7R RemoteKeyer
zhlédnutí 495Před 4 měsíci
A device used for remote control of an Amateur radio that allows a CW (morse code) operator to use a key instead of a keyboard to type text.
My new Hermes Lite 2 SDR transceiver.
zhlédnutí 2,3KPřed 10 měsíci
I'm having a ball learning this little guy. For about $400 it is amazing.
Our new Forest River R-Pod 190
zhlédnutí 1,2KPřed rokem
Our last adventure trailer, so we did a ton of research. The R-Pod 190 ticked all of the wants and a bunch of 'oh, that's cool'. We are prepping 'The Beast' for the first voyage, but since we have a home in the forest, we have played in it right where it sits. I've spent in it three times and it was wonderful. #trailer #forestriver #rpod #rpod190 #tomscamperland
Antenna View from the roof of AI7R at Bonita Creek
zhlédnutí 262Před rokem
Scanning east through south (Phoenix area) and then west. To the north is the Mogollon rim at 1k foot elevation about 2 miles away. No problem for HF but a fair block for VHF/UHF. Yet, I can bring up a repeater on Eldon in Flagstaff.
Steppir 18 going up with a Tiltplate
zhlédnutí 7KPřed rokem
The 4 day process of upgrading the antenna system after the Yaesu Rotator turned my antenna into an expensive yard art.
Gold Dust twins on CW and a Vibroplex bug
zhlédnutí 102Před rokem
Calling CQ on an apparently dead band. ;). Still fun though. I hadn't used my bug in probably three decades so I was pleased I could still understand the code I was sending. 73, Dave AI7R
Collins Gold Dust Twins
zhlédnutí 446Před rokem
Vintage Amateur Radio station on the air. A tour of a transmitter built in 1954/55
The Steppir DB18 beam on the tower with a little story of the restoration
zhlédnutí 993Před rokem
The Steppir DB18 beam on the tower with a little story of the restoration
My grounding system at the mountain home
zhlédnutí 162Před 2 lety
Being in the country where we get some intense lightning storms, I probably went overboard. You can decide. Note: Hams, if nothing else, have their opinion about everything. I'm sure some will tell me theirs concerning how I set up my system. We are all on our own and build based on our own research. I can say that yesterday we had a storm that dropped 1" of rain, and there was a lightning stri...
Drake L4B amplifier modification with Harbach mod.
zhlédnutí 2,5KPřed 2 lety
Drake L4B amplifier modification with Harbach mod.
Powering up a Minus Forum mini PC from remote or after a power failure.
zhlédnutí 299Před 3 lety
Powering up a Minus Forum mini PC from remote or after a power failure.
Remote Amateur Radio antenna disconnect system
zhlédnutí 5KPřed 3 lety
Remote Amateur Radio antenna disconnect system
Don pulls togeter great kits such as this one. Easy to follow instructions and it works great. 73 KN4YBA
Hello Dave, every time you want to raise your tower, do like me, the only thing you need to do is remove the crank, leave the nuts and use a small cordless electric drill... and there you go...!! 73´s congratulation for your videos and your station..!!
Yep, I could have put a new hand crank winch on the crank up part of it that was a worm drive nd do that just fine. I replaced that with a tower mounted electric hoist. it only takes it from about 25 feet to 45 feet because I just don't take it up all of the way. We get frequent storms so up and down happen often. Tilt over, I changed the factory 1500 to a 2500 hand crank and WISH I'd done a worm drive on that. With almost 200 pounds on the end of a 25 foot tilted tower, it gets pretty rough getting it over and back. The clutch is a real problem. Tilting in down, the clutch gets very warm and I swear, it is harder to get it down than up. Tilting is probably only a once a year thing now, so we'll see. Thanks for the advice.
Good DX 73！
Handy tree that.
That's really cool! Great job!
Thanks for the video, Mate. Thinking of buying one of these... 73
Thanks! The L4B is a real workhorse. I love it. Just make sure the fan keeps working, and you'll be fine. Enjoy!!
Worm gears ARE INHERENTLY SELF-Braking. Thats why dont need any Brakes!!!
When companies like velux etc overcharge for their products, one has to find an alternative…… thanks a bunch from Europe here!
What tower is that?
That is a US Tower heavey duty 555 55' tower.
@@DaveKelleyphotography awesome and thanks! 73s de N0SL
Far too many buttons for my liking.
To each their own. I have radios from the FT-1k with a ton of knobs to a Hermes Lite with zero knobs. All fun!
@@DaveKelleyphotography I learned Ham radio on an RCA AR88D salvaged from a WW11 Sherman tank. No bells, no whistles but a very capable receiver.
is the Ethernet cable you use to connect the Hermes Lite 2 to your laptop a straight or crossed connection?
Just a standard regular ethernet cable. You don't have to use a hub or reverse cable.
@@DaveKelleyphotography Thanks I appreciate the quick reply. I did order an Hermes Lite 2 today and hope to get it soon.
@@Nathalie-vg9ok You'll enjoy it. Take your time putting the heat sync in. It is a chore, but done wrong is a radio destroyer. Tight fit. Beautiful rig!! I just finished building a QMX from QPR Labs and it's probably THE tightest and most complicated radio to build. Damned it is doesn't work perfectly. First hour, a dozen European countries on FT8. The 3 element beam might have helped the 3 watts. ;). 73
@@DaveKelleyphotography Dave, I did order it without the case, I want to use it stand alone with a Raspberry Pi4, 7" LCD and a 20w amplifier. I might go to a 10" LCD if I find a suitable enclosure.
Thanks Dave! This is great! I'm a EE so I buy from Digi-Key all the time. They're wonderful and they don't charge an arm and a leg for shipping. The total for me was just under $150 for two with shipping, and, yes the tariff, which is still in place. Still, not bad, since it's been three years since you bought yours. Your instructions were very clear! I think I'll try to devise a way to put the rivets back.
Does it reconnect when the power comes back on?
Well, that's just a prototype and the software isn't set up to re-engage after a power up, but I expect I could get back into the remote access of that software and reengage the device. I haven't had the time to design a marketable remote antenna disconnect.
Great to hear you spent so much on the feeder, smart ham. 😊
Nice project Dave, very cool.
Thank you, sir!! It's been a journey, but it evolved into a pretty neat device.
This is amazing, Dave. I never knew you were doing this.
I have had mine for a few months and have used it while in Louisiana and Florida with RemoteTX. It's bee a great device to keep in touch with some of my regular CW QSOs. Looking forward to using this while on the Queen Mary 2 and in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of D Day Thanks, Dave. 73, Tom K4AEN
Thanks, Tom!! It is always fun to hear that people are busy with them. Enjoy and travel safe!!
Well it's between this and a No Bo for me
I looked at those also. Nice for sure. We just took our 190 on a long and VERY bad road to visit some land a friend had in the middle of nowhere. Watching the suspension system come into play and to see how well she handled it has really sold me on just how well she was built.
I just got a pair of these. It looks like I have the highest serial numbered 75-a4 too. 496X.
Great video, thanks Dave. Here in the UK Digikey UK don’t sell the ready made battery pack, but various places do sell the individual Panasonic HHR-370 (L-Fat A size) batteries with solder tabs, so you can make your own easily enough. The original batteries in my velux blinds have started to fail after 14 years- I’ve done 3 so far!
Like this really well
Awesome, I hope its working well and hope to hear you on the air! Just have one question, how big is that base and how deep did you go with it??? 73's N3WUB
Hi Peter! It does seem to be holding up rather well once I put shear pins in each sleeve that connects to the mast. 20x40 beams can have some real torque with even a small breeze. The tower specs said 4x4x5 feet and that is how big the hole was. That's one part I never have to worry about. 73 AI7R
Thank you. Your video was very helpful in setting the tilt palate to my mast. N3UNB 73
I'm glad it helped. You can bet i watched every YT video I could find on it before I got it. It still took a little head scratching, but it sure has worked well for me. I can totally maintain my Steppir by myself and no ladder.
Dave. I bought a keying rca to replace the original. When I took it apart looked like the .01 uf cap was across both terminals attached to the rectifier. When I looked at the schematic looked like the cap is supposed to go before the rectifier to ground and rectifier to center pin of rca cable. When you did your upgrade. How did you wire the rca key plug?
That's actually something I didn't install, so I can't answer that. And I'm not very inclined technically. If in doubt, check with Harbach I guess. Sorry I can't give you an informative answer.
ف١اااااك 😂😂😂🎉هههههههاااي واااو يجنن 💇🧑🦱🧑🦱🧑🦱🧑🦱💙💜🌹🌹
Dave, did your batteries slide out of the housing easily? It appears that mine has a touch of glue keeping the battery pack in the housing. I see a tear in the wrapping around the battery cluster in the video which is why I asked about glue. Did you use something to tap the battery cluster to get it to slide out of the housing?
It has been years since I filmed this and it sounds like they have either made some changes to improve the battery or make it so you had to buy it from them and not do this cheaper update.
Dave, the battery housing is thin plastic. It appears the only way to install new batteries is to cut the plastic housing, find out what is preventing the removal of the old batteries, remove them, solder the connectors to the new battery pack and tape the housing together so that the end caps can be installed and install it in the shade. I've opted to have BBM Battery retrofit my old battery pack for $84.95+$8.00 shipping. The battery pack alone $55.95. Besides, I don't think Velux sells this battery pack anymore. Oh, well.
You're screwed when the guy you got the custom board from goes under and leaves you on your own with no parts now that you chopped the wiring all up. Dumb...
I'm not sure what you mean. The board installs fine, and really makes the amp far more operable and cooler. If Harbach went out of business tomorrow, my amp is still working great. I've installed a lot of power supply upgrades from them and each one has worked perfecly.
Dave just completed this mod and your video was a great help in wrapping my head around what the directions referenced. Thank you. One thing.. I don't think it matters but I think you reversed the terminal locations of the AC1 & AC2. There is a picture at the bottom of the Harbach website home page and I believe they are opposite of yours. I could be wrong, take a look. i0.wp.com/harbachelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ES4L4B-2.jpg?ssl=1 Thanks Again!!
Are you dement or on drugs, your thought are faaaar from coherent
Really crappy audit, worse then the manual. Just a waste of time.
Thanks for your opinion. Happy holidays to you and yours!
I just built his SWR meter kit, awesome kits. I purchased this one as well, it's next to be built, thank you for the video.
To this day, I still think the Gold Dust Twins is the best ham station anyone could ever hope to have. It's real radio at its best.
After finally obtaining one to go with my 75A4 I am certainly impressed with what it is for when it was made. I do feel the term 'worked someone' is appropriate with this radio. Sure does sound cool just hearing the fan ramp up.
Great video!
Thank you for the tour! This is by far my most favorite radio even though I have never used one or even seen one "in person." I just like the look and can imagine the tactical sensation of turning the knobs.
Taking 5 minutes to change bands and flip a knob to go from transmit to receive is certainly a sign of those times. It sounds awesome with the huge fan and, of course, like all gear of the time, fills the room with that wonderful smell evoking memories of our youth.
Got one too …. Love it!
my solar roller shutter does not connect to the remote control. I want to try changing the battery. I couldn't find any video or explanation where the battery is located. who can help me? for velux it tells me that I have to put everything back in again. Thank you
The battery in the sky light motorized device can only be accessed from the roof. I have to open my glass portion with the hand crank from inside and then I can get to the part that has the long battery in it. There are two clips you open and the battery is right there. Now, there are a LOT of different models of their skylights, so your may or may not be like mine. I take no responsibility for the information of you going on your roof to change a battery. That is all your call.
I have access to the roller shutter without going out onto the roof. I wanted to understand if the battery is in the engine pipe. Thank you
There are a lot of models, so I'm not an expert on that. There should be two slide latches on the 'engine pipe' that should give you access to the battery if that design is like mine.
Thanks so much for making this video. I see a couple people just leave the amp on and place a on off switch right on the 220 cable. Does putting in this kit eliminate the need for an external keying relay too ? Thanks
This kit does three things. It does a timed power up were it does 120 volts for a second or so before a relay brings it up to 240. Saves the switch. It changes the idling bias so it isn't so hot just sitting there. And yep, it changed the keying circuit so you can key it with a modern solid state radio. Well worth the time and effort.
Enjoy! I’ve had one for a month…also still discovering features/settings in Thetis. I added the companion board which, for me, has greatly enhanced the CW experience with the reduction of latency and the additional of side tone on the headphones jack. Thanks for the vid.
great video, im in the uk and have the db11, its about 12 years old and i did the exact same thing with my relay box when the screws broke off, also i had corrosion inside the box from condensation .
Hi, nice project, what is the name of that type of motor assembly? Is it the one used to open and close windows? I need to solve the problem of what affordable motor I can find here I can use, I suppose a stepper with a screwed rod attached can be a solution for me and others unable to use the same motor assembly you are using. It will be nice if you can make one of this as well. Many thanks. 73's
Is this the 2024
It's a 2023.
What is total length from tongue
@@allenblanchard6740 It measures 21'. It is considered a 19' trailer, and the tongue adds a couple of feet.
I've got one wire BOG , totally against every HF rule , +- 40 meter long looped twice in the garden,2 meter high 2,5 mm2 copper wire , Input transformer 9:1 , end resistor 450 ohm.Then a 5 meter telescope somewhere in a corner for de phasing the noise.I receive the whole world for a poorman price.
Your Beast-190 looks great. Congrats over all the fun you'll be having in it.
It's been 2 years and I was wondering if you ever did anything else with this idea?
I now have access to a CNC machine. I expect prototypes before the end of this year.
It looks like you turned on an Attenuator.All of the signals dropped dramatically.Same as turning Off the preamp.I use ClearSpeech DSP modules or Speakers and they actually remove the noise without the signal changing.
Yep, Clear speech works pretty well. And yes, it sounds like I turned on an attenuator, but the difference is the signal-to-noise ratio. The signal sounds weaker, but the noise is lower by more than the signal. Different ways to skin the cat.
It's Alive & what a monster 😅 🍻
Unfortunately this product is no longer available from Digi-key. I searched the part numbers on from your pack on their site and nothing came up. Do you happen to have the link from when you bought them?
Excellent review AND narration--thank u vry much & 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃
Expensive? Yes... Does miracles? No...
I’ve been looking flex radios for awhile now. I’m not impressed with them. Life long yeasu ham here.
I’m not brand loyal to anyone. But to me they don’t seem anymore out of reach than the other brands
Thus Spoke....