The Monster is Ready

The smell of Solder in the Morning!

Ready to Go Up!

After a lot of research, I've finally decided that an Off Center Fed dipole would be the perfect antenna for my operating habits.  I wanted an antenna that covers 160 through 6 meters that I can use with my SB-1000 amplifier without a tuner.  I looked at the Buxcomm OCF dipole at $300.00 and then started looking around the shack to see what I had available.  I found the dogbones for the end connectors and I had 150 feet of silky wire from the "Wireman" I bought four years ago for another project that never got built.  I ordered a 4:1 balun from Universal Radio and started putting together the tools.  My 50ft tape measure wasn't going to do the job, so I invested in a 100 ft tape from Lowes ($14.95).  I've wanted a butane powered soldering iron for a long time, so this was the best possible time to buy the Bernzomatic Kit ($19.95).   So with found items from the shack box and about $60.00 in purchases, I'm ready to haul this 135 foot monster up for a try.  It's 90 feet long on the heavy end and 45 feet long on the light end.  I have a pulley up at the 50 foot level of a large tree directly behind the house for the center connector and another pulley up for the heavy end.  The light end may be a bit of a struggle, but I know it's doable.