Mike, I certainly cannot disagree with you. We shall see what happens, but I
might end up doing what you suggest. In hindsight, I wish I would have gone
with the telescoping mast, and if I can't get this current situation
resolved favorably, that is probably what I will do. Although, the problem
with my loop isn't a really major problem, or I don't think it is. I am
pretty certain it is just a matter of replacing one or both of the PL259
connectors. The much more serious problem is with the VHF/UHF Jetstream
vertical; that one has me puzzled, and we will probably have to bring it
back down to find the problem. I just hope we can fix it when we find it. A
friend of mine help me put it together, and he sealed it up so well that I
don't think we can get it apart to try to track down the problem if it turns
out to be internal, as Mike Duke suggested.  

Ron, K8HSY



-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2014 1:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Huge disappointment

Ron: 

I wanted to weigh in on your antenna issue. 
For 10 years or so, due to the weather up here in Newfoundland, my tower's
sections used to work them selves loose and it would take 5 of us to lower
and raise the tower twice a year for maintenance. 
Also, my windom's legs would either come loose from the end supports or come
loose from the centre insulator and I'd require a friend to help me tighten
things up or re_solder the antenna. All at the end of the day a pain and
became a bother. 
So when a hurricane took out my tower and windom a few years ago, I took it
upon my self to research an antenna that would A be a good all around
performer and B, something I could handle for the most part my self or with
a little help from my XYL. 
My choice was the Zero Five 43 foot ground mounted vertical and having
almost a year to evaluate  it, I'd have to say outside of a beam, its the
best antenna I've owned. 
Not everyone can have trees in the backyard 80 feet tall, although I wish I
had because from my experience, wire type antennas generally need hight to
be at there best. Not everybody has vast amounts of land, again I wish I did
have because I'd love to be able to put up a 4 square. 
Those of us that sort of have no choice but to run a vertical are generally
pleased with them and get success. 
So my advice for what its worth, maybe that's the root you should go, look
into something that you can pretty much maintain on your own or with a
little help from a spouse, family member or friend. 
I sometimes wish I had either a delta loop at 80 feet for the low bands or
even a big 5 element yagi for the upper bands but the thought of a post
hurricane or a full blown one like the one that took out my tower a few
years ago taking apart my $1500 yagi scares the heck out of me. 
That's why for the most part I don't own one. 

73: 
Mike VO1AX