FM DX was at the bottom of my list of priorities then, but I had been intending to get back into the hobby. I managed to retrieve the antenna out of the hedge with some difficulty, That 'mile-a-minute vine' had successfully wrapped itself around everything and it was a lengthy process trying to free it all, making sure I did not cause further damage, cutting through the coax and rotator cable. Ooops! I did. Finally, it was a simple case of straightening the elements, giving the antenna connections a quick service, and then re-erection could take place on a new 25 foot mast, but not before I bent a few of the elements once again when the antennas went back up! These got caught on a nearby tree, but to hell with that as I just wanted to get the antenna back up quickly now, so this has been the state of the antenna for the last year. See photos below.
That nearby tree has shot up in no uncertain terms over the last year and is currently only a couple of feet away from the antennas, but then, so is another tree on the park, which is 'protected' and therefore I am not able to cut off a branch or two, though I am tempted. The antenna mast will have to be moved before too long, but I will keep it where it is for another year, further growth permitting.
In the meantime, enjoy a few photos of yet another antenna disaster!
