In 2018 the club purchased a Hex Beam from Germany’s “FoldingAntennas” to be used on Field Day. Ken, K3IU, took on the laborious task of assembly. It wasn’t easy. We used it on Field Day 2018 to great acclaim on performance. Ask NG1G. Its novel feature is that it folds completely assembled into a four-foot carry bag. It was folded away intact twice before FD.
When checked just prior to FD 2019, the wires were hopelessly tangled – a veritable rat’s nest. We went ahead without it which limited our band selections during FD.
My best intentions were to repair it prior to FD 2020. But as a normal FD this year loomed not doable, the antenna languished in my garage untouched.
Fast forward tom the club’s recent Zoom meeting to elect officers. Informal discussion led by user W1WBB focused on the virtues of Hex Beams: small footprint, lightweight, somewhat visually undetectable, equal to a 2 element Yagi. Wow. What a great antenna for K1PAD’s Charlestown beach location to be used from time to time between FDs. Up one day. Down the next. No hassle from ocean gazing neighbors.
Rick was down to the beach QTH last weekend. Following some discussion, he agreed to take on the task of redoing the antenna. He picked it up Saturday morning and spent the rest of the day patiently removing and labelling all the myriad of wires. See photos by K1PAD. TNX to Rick, the antenna is well on its way to good health for future Field Day use and careful “folding” protocol under his watchful eye to avoid future complications. Meanwhile, as originally intended, make good use of it when not QRV for FD.
Kudos to Rick for stepping up to the plate.
For further history on this, search the club website archives for “FoldingAntennas[DOT]com.” – John, W1XX
