Baby Bluebirds about ready to fly off

Looks like a beautiful day in sunny FL

But where's my breakfast?

Thanks, Mom. Good bugs.

Don't block the door, Dad. I'm ready to solo.

Bluebirds shopping the RE market in Monticello, FL

Mr. Bluebird says I found a good one.

Mrs. Bluebird says I like it too.

Looks good inside.

Just fits.

We'll take it.

Turkeys in the backyard

Feb. 17 Here they come

Big, but not very pretty.


They come often for the corn.

Christmas 2008

The weather is beautiful, 72 degrees, so we're taking our traditional Christmas walk in the woods around our house.

Gretchen likes to explore outdoors too.

Both Antennas Are Ready To Go (double click any photo to enlarge)

N0TW towers and beams

4el SteppIR at 120 feet


Tower jockey coming down

SteppIR going up the tram wire

W4USA (Dave) ground support crew

Feb. 9, 2008 The First Antenna Is Up

40 Meter Beam part of the way up the tram wire

Antenna is pulled up using gin pole at top of the tower - rope passes thru the gin pole pulley, down the tower to another pulley, over to a third pulley anchored to hitch on back of my truck, and finally connected to the tractor. All the lifting is done by the tractor

Cushcraft beam in place on top of 110 ft Rohn 25 tower

View of the new beam from Fulford Road in front of our house

Two fox come to visit

Terry spotted 2 fox playing in our back meadow.

The weather is beautiful, most of the work is done,

and we're enjoying hiking and birdwatching in our woods.

November 20, 2007 From the Top

Monticello, FL is 7 miles to the south

just at the horizon. Tower is 50 ft above

the surrounding trees.

DOUBLE CLICK ANY PHOTO FOR ENLARGEMENT

Looking "down" on the 110 ft tower

The Elevated Guy Post (that has been shown in an earlier post)
is at the bottom of these guy wires!

November 19, 2007 Tower Day has Arrived

Crane set to lift 110 ft tower

at the 75 ft point

110 ft Rohn 25 - Going UP!

Got it Vertical - Now Swing Into Position

Upper Upper Guys Attached - Remove the Lifting Slings

120 ft Rohn 45 Tower is Vertical

View of 110 ft Tower from 75 ft elevation on 120 ft Tower

November 18, 2007 Tower Prep

120 ft Rohn 45 and 110 ft Rohn 25

ON THE GROUND

Hole for Rohn 45 Tower

Dead Man Anchor Hole

Deadman Anchor Rod

Photo taken before adding concrete

2 ft x 2 ft x 6 ft long (about 2 tons of concrete!) - buried 2 ft underground

12 ft long 6" diameter Elevated Guy Anchor Post

That's tar on the bottom to protect from rusting.

Elevated Post at Rear of Hamshack

Two sets of guywires from the two towers attach to this post

30" diameter x 5 ft deep hole for Elevated Anchor

(dug by hand!)

September 15, 2007 We've moved in!

Hope you all come see us.

Sept. 1, 2007 Less Than 6 Months

All finished except for the landscaping

Master bath garden tub and tile