RADIO ON !

Well at long last the radio is plugged in and turned on ! The G5RV seems to be working fine but the 2 element quad seems to be stumbling a bit. Maybe there is some water in the coax or the snow and ice has penetrated the PL259 plug and socket. This will be very annoying as I spent ages waterproofing it with self amalgamating tape. I also noticed that I can't quite rotate it through 360 degrees which was disappointing as the one chap I was talking to was in the blind spot !
On the plus side it was good to be back on air ! I had some good local contacts on 10 meters 28.5800 or round abouts.
M5AFD Dave Shrewsbury
M3MQR Dave Wolverhampton

Both operators were interested in my aerial projects including the 40 meter delta loop and also the end fed inverted L i have been thinking about constructing.
Plenty of advice, help and even materials were offered !
Does this happen in any other hobby I wonder ?

Both operators have previously constructed their own aerials and were keen to set me off down that track. From the 2 plans I have available and the materials to hand then I think the 40 meter delta loop will be the first one to be given a go. I have looked at the website of M0UKD and studied the plans for a 9:1 balun or unun and if i can get the bits then I will try it. However with my birthday just around the corner I could try to get my beautiful wife to by me one from the www.snowdonia-radio-company.co.uk They 9:1 balun seems quite reasonable at only £18 for one complete in a weather proof box including delivery.
I have got a reel of coax that I think is 75 ohm so that would be good to use as a matching stub for the delta loop.
I don't want to waffle on tonight, early to bed and early to rise so I can try and work out whats wrong with the quad and also try and catch some early morning DX.

73's

James (M6JDB)