This week I will address my take on “BEAM” antennas…see below.
3Y0K – an extremely RARE DXpedition and RARE Opportunity for you: (3Y-Bouvet Island) is in the top 10 “Most Wanted” https://3y0k.com/ NOW ON AIR!
Presently 3Y0K is active on several bands; check your DX Cluster or DX Summit for spots: http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/?dx_calls=3Y0K
As mentioned I will no longer be publishing a comprehensive list of DX, Contests or Special Events. However I will list below the sites where you can find the information I use weekly to bring you the info.
1 – DX World.Net: https://www.dx-world.net/?s=bulletin Click on “Read More” then “Download the Latest Bulletin”. My favourite site for information!
2 – 425 DX News: https://www.425dxn.org/ Under “News & Updates” click on the latest update or any of the links along the top to find what is of interest to you.
3 – Ham Radio World: https://www.hamradioworld.org/ Click on whatever interest you.
4 – DX News.Com: https://dxnews.com/ Click on whatever interest you.
5 – DXing with VA3RJ: https://www.qsl.net/va3rj/dx.html Dave has a lot of info on his site.
Take note of Solar Flares, they are a huge part of successful DXing and Contesting on HF!
To see the daily conditions go to: https://solar.w5mmw.net/
WA7BNM Contest Calendar to Wednesday Feb 12, 2026.
Lots of action this weekend so check all the info at: https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php
This week “BEAMS”….
We have looked at wire and vertical antennas now, what can I say about beams?
Beams work extremely well but the downside is the overall cost of having beams…buying all new…basically not the antenna but everything required to make it efficient. Actually, there should be a lot of used towers, beams and rotors around for sale which will lower the cost substantially. I, like most avid DXers, had many different beams over the years. The bottom line is if you decide to go with a beam it is possible to get set up at a real reasonable cost!!!
First off, a beam should be a certain wavelength above the ground to work effectively therefore in the majority of cases that would involve a tower. You may be able to purchase a decent tower at a reasonable cost, usually 48 Ft. or more in height. I have however seen beams at 32 or 40 Ft. that still work okay.
Next a cement base for the tower, in most cases 4X4X4 Feet depending on the height of the tower. If you get a tower that requires guy wires that would be another expense for cement. Here again if you have a building or some other structure, even a tree to mount the tower against the need for a block of cement should not be required…as long as the tower is well supported. There are also small (5 to 12 Ft.) towers that can be mounted on your house or out building.
Okay, you got the beam and tower but beams are directional so it would be beneficial to turn the antenna to the desired direction or have several beams pointed in different directions. For most that is not feasible so the next option is a rotator. Rotators are also costly and require cable between the shack and rotator. Again, there should be used rotators available for a good price but still costly. If you have bucks to spend then you can always invest in a rotating tower!
But is that totally necessary? The answer is “no”, there are several methods you can use to rotate the beam. One being rope attached to the beam in order to turn the beam or another is the “armstrong” method. You run the mounting mast to near the bottom of the tower where you can clamp it so it won’t turn, then unclamp the mast and turn it manually…usually with a wrench of some sort. There are other methods I am sure so think outside the box!
Thrust Bearing….
Depending how you mount the rotator you will most likely require a thrust bearing between the antenna and rotor. You will also require a thrust bearing even if you use the other methods described above.
What beams are good?
Most commercial beams work well, I have had Cushcraft A4 Tri-Band, Cushcraft A3WS 12 & 17M, Cushcraft 40-2CD 40M, Mosley SF-402A 40M, Mosley Pro 57B Tri-Band, KLM KT34 Tri¬-Band now produced by M2. The best antenna I owned was the SteppIR 3 Element 20M to 6M antenna https://consumer.steppir.com/shop/consumer-antenna-specifications/horizontal-antennas/3-element-yagi-antenna-20m-6m/ and later the SteppIR 3 El 40M to 6M https://consumer.steppir.com/shop/consumer-antenna-specifications/horizontal-antennas/3-element-yagi-antenna-package/ . Unfortunately SteppIR is no longer in business but still has parts available IF you ever require parts should you come across a used SteppIR! I say IF because the SteppIR beams are very reliable and most will keep that antenna. I have never owned a Hy-Gain beam but have known many hams that have and those beams also worked very well, notably the Hy-Gain Explorer- 14 Tri Band and Mosley beams.
Towers….
The most common tower in this area is Delhi although there are many Trylon and Rohn towers as well. I have used them all with the48 Ft. Delhi and the 56 Ft. Trylon both being self-supporting and the 56 FT. Rohn tilt over which required guy wires.
Rotators…
I have used different rotor makers Yaesu, Hy-Gain, and Create. My experience with Yaesu rotators has not been good so unless you get one for nothing, stray away from that brand. Hy-Gain CD-45, Ham IV, TX2 Tail Twister rotors are the “go to” in this part of the world. The Create RC5 is superior to the Hy-Gain but hard to find, they are worm gear driven so very unlikely for the gears to strip like the Hy-Gain. There are several other worm gear rotators on the market but a bit on the expensive side, even those types can have problems. The major problem with the Yaesu rotor is that the “ring gear” is actually a part of the housing. Instead of the ring gear stripping as with the Hy-Gain which is replaceable the side of the housing blows out and is not repairable other than trying to get a new housing.
I came across the following statement by NA6O which is so true….
There are two kinds of antenna rotators:
1. Those that have failed.
2. Those that will
NA6O Repair Site: https://na6o.com/amateur_radio/rotator-repair.html
Thrust Bearing….
The Delhi BBMB, Create and Yaesu Thrust Bearings are very popular, all work well!
Before installation begins….
Whenever possible use stainless steel bolts, washers, nuts, U-bolts and clamps to prevent rusting especially in this part of the country.
When using stainless steel bolts have a tendency to seize up or gall when trying to remove them.
Methods to prevent “galling”:
Use Anti-Seize Lubricant which is most important. I use anti seize on every bolt or clamp used.
Use split washers to prevent over tightening the nut.
Use manual wrenches when tightening nuts, do not use power tools.
Do not over torque the nuts; let the split washer do its job.
Make sure the threads are undamaged and clean before using.
Signs of galling:
Increasing resistance while tightening
Squeaking or grinding sound
Fastener suddenly locks up
Heat buildup in fastener
Unfortunately, severely galled fasteners cannot be saved and will usually snap off.
Antenna….
Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and measurements.
Use anti seize on joints and bolts.
Some antenna elements (notably Cushcraft) vibrate and will cause the worm clamps to loosen, there are a few ways to prevent this from happening:
Slide a piece of rope inside the tip section of each element which will dampen the vortex vibration, this method worked extremely well for me.
Place a piece of garden hose or some such tubing material over the very tip of the element, fasten on with tape or a small clamp making sure you slit about half the tubing so it is out past the tip. This acts to stop vibration similar to the winglet on the tip of an aircraft wing. This also works but deteriorates over time.
Rotor….
The rotor can be mounted on top, a few feet down with a mounting plate or at the bottom with enough mast to reach the tower base.
The problem with it at the very top would be all the weight and forces go directly onto the rotor causing premature wear and damage.
Mounted a few feet down, this is the norm for here but requires extra rotor cable and coax. The thrust bearing will take most of the weight load of the rotor.
Mounted at the base would be great, ease of access, less cable and coax but should have a couple of thrust bearings to stabilize the mast. The bonus “no climbing”!
Maintenance….
As with any antenna system be it wire, verticals or beams regular maintenance is required. Check all bolts and clamps on the tower, rotator and antenna. Check the rivets on the Delhi towers…they are prone to loosen after time but easily replaced by stainless bolts. Paint any rust spots on the tower with a rust paint or my favorite Rust-Oleum Cold Galvanizing Compound or paint available at Canadian Tire. Both work well.
Where do I get stainless bolts, U bolts and clamps? Some hardware stores carry stainless hardware, marine suppliers and Fastenal in Charlottetown carries anything you may require.
Check all wiring for wear and crack spots, especially the coax loop from the tower to the antenna where a lot of flexing occurs.
If you should use guy wires, check for rust and that all the clamps are tight.
NOTE: All of the above is my take on beams and towers and to be sure there are many different points of view and opinions on anything I have said!
73 de Ken VY2RU