REBUILD OF THE KT-34 (Bottom Antenna on the tower)

The KT34 in the photo at the right is the original 34 year old antenna. The photo on the left is of the re-engineered KT34M2 designed by M Square Antennas. The total modification cost $530 including the element separation replacement parts (I used almost all of the original tubing and boom), new mounting blocks and phasing rods. I have about 75 hours into the rebuild because of the difficulty of getting 10" reinforcement tubes out of the 6' long first tube of each element. This is a 34 year old antenna with lots of corrosion that had to be cleaned off by hand. However, it is a much better antenna now and worth all the effort.

I go by Jim and I was licensed in 1978 and have been active on HF, VHF and UHF since then. I enjoy HF on 20 meters and love 10 meters when it is open. I have recently been on 6 meters with my Yaesu FT-2000 and my 5 element M2 Yagi looking for 6 meter contacts.

My wife Christina is also licensed and is N6GTY (Green Tangled Yarn). I have 299 countries worked and 259 confirmed, but have not really been hunting DX much since 1995. Now that Cycle 24 is nearing it maximum, I hope to continue to grow the number worked and confirmed.

If you are in the San Fernando Valley, give me a call on 147.735, minus, PL 100.0 or 223.500 simplex. Look for me on APRS as N6AJG-7 and on D-Star on WA6IRC on the gateway in Southern California.

My primary station is a Yaesu FT-2000 with the DMU (data management unit) and a SB220 Amplifier that has been converted to 6 meters. The secondary station is a Yaesu FT-990 coupled with a Kenwood TL-922A Amplifier. I also have set up a Kenwood TS-830S that is hooked to an oldYaesu FL-2100BAmplifier that I use on 40 meters primarely.

Think about giving back to your community and have fun with ham radio, join an emergency radio services organization in your area!