Notes on Bencher Skyhawk

Donated by K2PLF and shipped to W0CG in Ohio 14 May 2013.

Click here for ocean shipment packing list.

May 2013

Trial assembled in Ohio by W0CG. K2PLF shipped two new design baluns and element spacers to W0CG. Packed for ocean shipment.

30 May 2013

Decision made that Skyhawk will not work as Ridge yagi because elements could touch in wind and blow the triplexer. Will install it instead as the new CL-33.

9 June 2013

Prepared for shipping and transported to W8AV barn by W0CG. Awaiting ocean shipment.

11 Sept 2013

Placed in service on Ridge. All parts weatherproofed. Still needs boom stabilization ropes as of 16 Sept 2013.

29 February 2024

20 meter driven element west tip broke off at the plastic element spacer. Amazingly, the antenna seemed to load OK on 20 and make QSOs, per W4IPC in YOTA contest. Here's the procedure for repair.

• Order from DX Engineering to Liz and J: 2 72" x 7/8; 1 72 x 3/4; 2 72 x 5/8; 2 72 x 1/2; Invoice for this order is on www.pj2t.org under Engineering....
• Needed to make the actual repair: at least 28 3/16 x 3/8; at least 47 7/8 x 1/2; 72 x 5/8; 72 x 4/4;
• For inside splice piece: 24 x 5/8 (can come from broken 5/8); 11 x 1/2; 6 x 3/8 to stiffen the inside splice piece.
• Fabricate new element starting at the small tip, including four pieces ending with the 3/4 diameter piece. Mark with dashd lines whee the inside pieces end.
• Cut inner splice piece using 24" of 5/8, 11 in 1/2, 6 in of 1/2 and sleeve them all inside each other.
• On Ridge remove 20 DE by taking off two small nuts that connect to the balun, bend back connection straps, and take off eyes from balun.
• On Ridge remove four 7/16 nuts and four lockwashers and element will come off straight down.
• On Ridge cut the 3/4 inch on original antenna about 12 inches in toward the tip from the boom.
• Insert the 5/8 inner splice piece, containing the two inside stiffners. Put in four rivets at each side of the end of the stiffeners, which would be about 5" in from each tubing joint on either side.
• Clean up corrosion on remaining parts.

During this process, refer to Skyhawk manual at https://static.dxengineering.com/pdf/00997%20skyhawk%20revb.pdf .

Checklist for trip to the Ridge:

New fabricated element
Rivets
Rivet gun
1/8 drill bit, sharp
Pilot bit
5/8 inner splice piece, 24 inches
DeWalt drill with two charged batteries
Punch
Small hammer
Tape measure
Permanent marker
Hacksaw, sharp
File
Penetrox
Roll of paper towels
Ratchet wrench with 7/16 socket
Regular pliers
Needle nose pliers
Sandpaper
Conductive grease
Scotch 33
Anti Seize
Hardware removed from antenna including extra pieces for dropped parts, in pill bottle.

15 March 2024

Antenna repaired and returned to service by W0CG and J Bennett. West tab on DE connection strap broke off at 20 DE -- I scabbed in a piece, but not the best repair technique. Needs to be replaced.