On September 18th, 2024 club members Paul VE7KWA, Reed VE7RZT, Mike VE7KPZ and Ritchie VA7RLX headed to VE7EGO on the Commonage. Our objective was to complete the upgrade of the vertical UHF antenna at EGO to a 2 bay folded dipole. This project was actually started by Cary (CJ) Benson VA7MXY when he was tech committee chair, and the tech committee has been steadily pushing to get it completed for him.
Previous work included the installation of new LMR400 feed line to the top of the tower, a full inspection of the tower, tightening of all fasteners and replacement of a missing bolt and the measurements necessary to custom manufacture a top plate (aka Lawrence Plate) for the mast, as no off-the-shelf top plates appeared to fit. Reed VE7RZT of Interior Communications did all the tower climbing.
The new antenna is a much more robust unit that should withstand wind and winter conditions better plus the directional pattern should be an improvement, despite a slight drop in theoretical gain compared to the collinear vertical. Big thanks to Fred VA7UN for the donation of the antenna to the club oh so many years ago.
Paul and Ritchie helped Reed by hauling items up by rope while Mike did some badly needed tidying up and cleaning around the shack. And, thanks to Mike the shack finally has a door handle once more! Once the two bay UHF antenna was installed, Paul tested it using a WiresX capable handheld with a QSO with an Alberta based radio amateur.
Reed removes the old collinear vertical antenna:
New UHF antenna installed at top of tower:
Reed loving the work:
A wide shot: