Gents whilst surfing eBay as one does I came across this very old and somewhat neglected VHF/UHF antenna. I like a bargain as you all know. So at £20 couldn’t resist.

Steve (G0NXT I think if I remember correctly) had been using it upto the late 90’s so it may not be 20 years old although can’t be sure. He purchased it new from the then J Beam company now I believe Amphanol Antennas. Has been in his garage every since he took it off his 40 ft tower when he went HF only.  A 14 element Para Beam antenna (its big) here it is (cleaned and ready to repair and erect) – incidentally this is the soon to be QTH shack cleared and ready for the builders;

Not much missing I think on inspection and cleaning yesterday (Sat) apart from; coaxial housing top lid (foot) on slot radiator, 90 degree elbow on one corner of the radiator section, one side of bracket housing connector for director to the main shaft (diamond shaped bracket), a few cap ends for the elements – nothing that can’t be fixed, made or replaced easily. Otherwise not in bad shape for an old antenna!

I have no idea how well if at all it would perform but Steve certainly had good DX contacts on SSB (sporadic E) into Holland, Germany and France back in the day mind you on a tower and with a rotator obviously.

I intend to bring this along with my J Pole (which is at the front of the list for adjustments and repairs) to project nights and perhaps John, Andrew and Kyle or others might want to join me in their journey to operation. I thought they both would make a great field event project and so looking forward to bringing these to the next field day for trials.

So…next on the restoration list I suppose will have to be a HF antenna system but for now thats it until I get these both working.

Happy days

Mark