The SteppIR arrived on Monday and took me ten hours over 3 days to lower the tower, rebuild the rotor, assemble the new antenna and to get it all up in the air. SteppIR does not look large on the photo, but each element is 11m long.
One man job!
The wiring of the 3 motors which 'drive' the elements and connection to control box went smoothly (SteppIR motors can be tested on the ground which is a cool thing).
Even at the modest height of just 12 meters, the new antenna performs well.
Unfortunately, on the first scan, no traces of Argentina LRA36 from Antarctica (15476 KHz) or the Israeli Galei Tzahal Radio, but will continue for look for these two from now on.
Hi Nick, am following your efforts with interest from here in Northland NZ. Unfortunately havent heard LRA30 since the end of November. In past years I think they have only operated during their winter season. Have missed Galei Zahal for a week or so too - could mean they have changed frequency - lets hope so - rather than stopped using SW! Bryan Clark.
ReplyDeleteHi Bryan - thank you for your comment. As you probably know by now, sadly, Galei Zahal pulled the plug on December 1 and abandoned SW broadcasting so you've heard one of their last transmissions ! Good luck with SWLing, have fun.
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