WELCOME TO THE HOME PAGE OF VK4ION

Well this is it, this is my callsign

So it's easy to figure out that my hobby is Amateur Radio

But life's about being more than one dimensional so I'll use these pages to share some of my other passions with you.

First there's my husband and our beer brewing venture.

Then there's the daughters who live far away and with whom I share my writing.

And the greatest escape of all, that would be my motorcycles. There's a picture gallery and link to some highlights of the many road trips I've enjoyed.

There is a serious side concerned with building really efficient antennas and I try to upload photo galleries and 'how to' pages so that others may share my ideas freely.

My other great passion is Training; for Industry and Amateur Radio and I've added a link above to the new WIA EMCOM training package that I deliver on their behalf. I will add more links at some time in the future.

There's just never enough time, is there?

Enjoy

Have you ever wondered about the history of a hand-me-down tower?

Here is the beginning of a refurbishment of an old tower and its (hopeful) erection at my QTH in the near future.

To start at the beginning - this is what I currently have - 40M end fed wire to a big old old mango tree and this timber mast (which is really a tree we cut down for the purpose) and a couple of Yagi's and an ik-stick vertical ...

But this is what I want.

No, Not the snow - just the antenna. This is a great shot of a Broadbeam Hexbeam Antenna [taken by Gordon NW7D] and it's the antenna of my dreams!

(c) NW7D Hex Beam after 24" snowfall

So my story starts when one radio club member Kev VK4FKEV, couldn't erect the tower he'd owned, cherished and transported to his new home, so he offered it to me as I have the room to install and utilize its full height [22.5M].

As often happens with free stuff the costs then began to escalate.

First there was a winch to raise and lower the internal sections of the tower. Then a ground mounted winch to enable the tower to lay over for antenna placement and to be lashed down in case of cyclone.

I was agonising over ugly guy wires all over the property and found the solution in another generous gift from Keith VK4APQ [sk] who provided some WWII vintage triangular mast sections which will become the support pole for the whole assembly.

Then came a trade with Dennis VK4SX and I acquired a rotator. Well actually my husband did some work on a hex tower Dennis was building so technically... husband did all the hard work and I won the rotator. It is in need of some TLC like new bearings and seals... just one more workshop job for the adored husband.

Here are some photo's taken during refurbishment ... the concrete pour and erection of the support pole. Tower is towed into position and tested using 12V electric winches. The tower raises in 3 sections and now it's time to work on the antennae which will adorn the top.

I'll add more as it becomes more interesting [and expensive] so check back....

Into the workshop

Ratty old winch & cables

New 12V winch & chain drive

The support pole is towed down to the house

This will be the top of the support pole. Guides and holding pin will secure the tilt over tower

Plenty of copper earthing

Earth5050 - Bentonite & Gypsum - for stable, high conductivity, low ground resistance - to surround earth rods

Earth Rod (S/steel, copper sheathed) in each corner. Two secured to support pole & two to the tilt over tower

Remainder of the support pole sections are placed on top & secured to barge board for lateral support

Four earth stakes in place all held tight & level...

And here comes the concrete

A helpful husband does the really hard work

Click this Rides link

MOTORCYCLES

Now here's a topic that enthusiasts can discuss all night

What made you choose the bikes you have, how well they handle and how fast they go. Some people are fanatical about one brand or model but...

When it's all said and done, I really don't care what you ride - as long as you ride!

I chose my bikes because they suit me - I'm short so the BMW R1100RT is my long distance bike. It has a 3 position seat adjustment and it's set at the lowest so I can just touch the ground.

For zipping into town I have a Yamaha 650cc V-Star cruiser style bike with nice saddlebags so I can technically forage for groceries etc.

I try and do at least one long distance trip each year. There is just nothing like being on the road in the sunshine (or rain - it doesn't really matter) as long as you're on the road going somewhere. As some wise man once said - it's all about the journey - not the destination.

Want to come with me on a quick tour of Australia - motorcycle style?

His: 2001 Harley Davidson Springer - the show bike

Another one of his. Rebuilt 1979 Honda CBX 6 cylinder (the wheels & suspension are 1997 Blackbird)

Mother and daughter (with her 250cc ZZR) on Darwin wharf

The BMW and his 1992 Yamaha Venture Royale

MAKING BEER

Welcome to the home of Blue Dog Brewing

Once you discover that you can take some grain, crush it and extract the sugar, then make some yeast and grow the best beer around.... it's like finding nirvana.

Follow the links to see how we build all our own plant and machinery, mill and boil the grains as well as farm many varieties of yeast.

And of course we drink it - what better hobby could you have?

PROJECT HELIOS

This is a link to our Solar Project

A 32 panel 5.44kWh system on the shed roof.

We're hoping to completely cut out our power bills and maybe even get a refund cheque from Ergon Energy.

There are photos of the project and some reference material, enjoy.

REFERENCE LINKS

These are links to sites I enjoy and where I learn a variety of things. I particularly like some of the NASA sites and Antenna sites. I'll just have to keep adding ...

G3TXQ Broadband Hexbeam - This is a link to step by step instructions to build this efficient antenna

Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club - my local radio club. Has lots of radio news as well as helpful links for this hobby

Venganza.Org - just because, it suits my nature to ponder such things. May his noodly appendage touch you

Contact VK4ION

If you have any feedback on these pages or would like to contact me please email

Goodbye and thanks for calling