Installed VHF/UHF antenna

Installing the antenna at my QTH was a challenge because of the limited access to terrace. The only options are above the lift head room or the water tank. Both are flat concrete surface and any mast would need a base stand. There are already dish tv antennae on top of these. The lift head was chosen to have future expand ability and to restrict unnecessary access.

A base was made to order. A 4 feet 2" GI pipe with support structure was fabricated. Later this could be used to mount a rotator.

The base was anchored on the roof and an 8 feet PVC water pipe was placed. This is the mast for the VHF/UHF 3/4 element yagi antenna made by VU2MSA.

HLF-400 cable  (around 70feet) was routed to the bedroom through the electrical duct. Was instantly able to trigger Yercaud(140kms) and Yelagiri(110kms) repeaters with 4W output, with the antenna facing south-south-west.


Was able to work Mullayanagiri (220kms) and Thirumalaivayavoor (245kms) during the 2015 VHF Hill topping contest.

Licensed finally

Got the Amateur Radio license finally after being an SWL for a very long time.

Here is the timeline of my amateur radio license application and further milestones.

2010 December: Wrote General Grade Exam at Bangalore (Little Elly School)
2011 January: Gave the Morse Code Test (Did not clear the receive part)

[Goes to cold again]

2013 November: Joined IIH and attended classes (Only the radio regulations part)
2014 January: Wrote Restricted Grade Exam at IIH Bangalore (25/1/2014)
2014 April: Results declared (11/4/2014) +76days
2014 July: Got a call from the Police Station for the verification (17/7/2014) +97days
2014 Sep: Got the letter from WPC notifying grant of licence and payment of fees (01/09/2014) +46days
2014 Sep: Got a letter from WPC stating that the attestion has deficiencies - Attesting officer's Name, Designation and place of posting should be mentioned. (26/09/2014)
2014 Oct: Re-sent the attested copy for age proof (08/10/2014)
2014 Nov: Called WPC Delhi to inquire the status. Told that the license is under approval and it would be sent in a week's time. (13/11/2014)
2014 Nov: Got the license by speedpost (28/11/2014)

Took 307 days from the day of writing exam.