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The first order of business after running up a big bill on the credit card is to unpack the 40m4LLDD. This is a couple hour project and requires the full expanse of my garage.
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The 15 bags of assorted hardware show just how many pieces there really are to this project.
There are a couple essential tools to doing this job without losing parts.
This is a typical use of one of those tools during element assembly.
The different size screws come in separate compartments of the hardware bags, but since some of them are only 1/4" different in size a short ruler is also necessary to be sure you have the right ones for each step. Note above that the locknuts are all the same size, but there are so many of them that they don't fit in one cup of the tin at the start. They also supply two tubs of the conductive grease stuff, so you won't run out even if you are as sloppy as I am putting it on. An old toothbrush is a good tool for that job.
Since the first Saturday I had to start assembly was a bit wet I started putting together the elements in the shack. This is what you get when you assemble the elements up to the point of adding the element truss/linear loading clamps and spacer.
There are a lot of parts that go into the insulator and loading bracket section. (did you ever notice that its hard for an auto focus camera to lock in on shiney aluminum??
The first transplanting takes those element sections out the shack window to the first staging area where another 5' of tubing is added that wouldn't fit well in the shack.
Next I start the boom assembly on the trusty old tripods.
There is just one minor problem I realized at this point... I temporarily attach the ring rotor cradle and boom brace struts and realized that the phasing line that should go on top of the boom will have to get around the struts somehow. This is what the front driven element bracket looks like looking back at the reflector. The U bolt is where the balun mounts. The two clamps on the elements are where the phasing line rods attach, they are then bent around the balun and through stand off insulators down the boom to the rear driven element.
A possible solution being explored. The phasing line insulators should normally be on top of the boom, but obviously that isn't going to work.
the stand-off insulators and section of phasing line closeup.
On to Part-2...