Tom,

Did you remember to wrap several turns of the antenna around the RV's 
ladder like you did last year?	

73, Steve KW3A

On 5/19/2013 10:22 PM, Tom Behler wrote:
> Hey, all.
>
> Well, for a variety of reasons, not the least was an unexpected rainy and
> cool day on Friday, the XYL and I didn't get the G5RV up at the camp site
> until early yesterday evening.  However, all was not lost.  I did manage to
> get onto 40 meters later last evening, and made two CW contacts--one with a
> guy in Southern Illinois, and another with someone near Rodchester NY.  Both
> gave me 579 signal reports, despite lots of QRN and other noise on the band.
> Quite simply, the band did not seem to be in very good shape, which is what
> I think you guys found out earlier that afternoon on the round table.
>
> As it stands now, the G5RV is only up about 15 feet or so, quite simply
> because there are not any substantial trees or other structures to tie it
> too at the camp site.  And, like last year, I need approximately 100 feet of
> coax to get the antenna to tune down to the bottom of 40 meters with the
> auto-tuner in the TS480.  The antenna tunes now on 10 through 40, and on the
> bottom half of 80.
>
> I tried to get as much of the ladder line to be as vertical as possible, but
> with only a 15-foot height, that idea only goes so far.  I guess, if nothing
> else, it's a good NVIS antenna!  (grin)
>
>
> If anyone has any suggestions as to what I might do to improve things, given
> these constraints, please send them my way.
>
> In the meantime, I guess some sort of antenna is better than none, and the
> G5RV is sure a heck of a lot quieter sounding than the screw-driver mounted
> on back of the RV ever was.
>
> When I get back out to the camp site later this week, I'll give things
> another try.  I plan to at least make some sort of an effort in the CQ WPX
> CW contest this week-end, and hope to check into at least one of our nets as
> well.
>
> Will keep everyone posted.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
>