NH7O Maui, Hawaii, Op: Al




The fastest way to get a QSL is to print out the above image, and fill it in with your details. It is the same image that I print out to send, so avoid the middleman (me!) and make it easy for yourself.

The operator himself. First licensed at age 13 as WN0WEZ (1968), then WA0WEZ (1969), K7TI (1977), K7TI/VS6 (1982), T32AG (1983), WH6B (1983), AH6SG (2005), and recently MM/AH6SG (2006) (Thanks to Ian, GM4YSN). This recent phase of activity is the first in over 20 years, after a long QRT.

Main rig is an IC-751A, with InRad narrow CW filter (which is better than Icom's filter). I also use an IC-706mkII on 6m, but so far that has not been very worthwhile here in the Pacific. The amplifier is a homebrew version of the Motorola EB104 design, which runs 600W PEP using 4 MRF-150's. For an example of this, see the website of K0GKD, and also the reviews for Communications Concepts kits on eHam. (There are those that claim the use of diplexer type output filters is advantageous, but that does not seem to be the case. Simple filter types do just fine.) I am pleased at how cool the amp runs. Given my power system (see below), the efficiency of this amp is appreciated. As far as I am concerned, the tube is dead, unless you live in the far north and need a morale boost on a cold winter night.

I have recently (mid 2008) raised 23m of Rohn 45 tower. I managed to scrounge or salvage most of everything, but at a cost of large amounts of labor. That's OK, as I have much more time than money, and I much prefer to keep old things alive, rather than buying new. (There is plenty of stuff already on the planet!) All aspects of the tower are done by hand, as there are no cement trucks to fill the holes, or cranes to do the lifting. Even the holes were dug by hand, although really it is more chipping out rock, than digging, in our shallow volcanic mountainside. On top I have a 2el 40M yagi, based on the XM-240 but completely redesigned with longer trussed elements and high Q air wound coils. Below is a wide spaced 4 el 20m yagi on a 12M boom, built from the remains of some storm crashed KLM's from the 80's. Both antennas were modelled using the MMANA antenna software by JE3HHT.

On 80M there is a dipole fed with open wire line at 20m high in a tall Norfolk Pine tree, and homebrew link coupled network. I'll put more effort in on that antenna when winter conditions return.


These photos show the 40M yagi as built. The loading coils were made with #6 hard drawn wire, inspired by similar efforts of VE6WZ (q.v.). As I am in a remote location, there are no helpers around (other than the XYL who is very willing to pull on ropes) so I am solo on the tower. Also, the site is quite vegetated, so each element goes up seperately and is fastened at the top. Not easy considering the element trusses and cap hats. Quite a bit of time was taken with tuning. The overall bandwidth of the antenna is improved as result of all this effort. Was it worthwhile? So far so good...


On a second tower I have a 4el 15m yagi at 15m high. The view on the right shows the antenna's outlook on the world to the south. Long path signals are quite strong as a result of the water shot. We don't work well to the north or northwest though, as the 3,300m bulk of Haleakala rises steeply behind.

Below are some views of the QTH of NH7O, also known as Kalepa Farm. It is located on the south side of the island of Maui, just across the channel from the Big Island. The area is very remote and isolated, and there is no grid energy available. All the electricity used on the farm is generated from alternative sources. We use a 2 KW windmill, which in our zone of strong trade winds, does very well. We also use solar panels for calm times, and there is a Pelton wheel which can generate power from the pressure in our water line.


Here is the old Dunlite windmill on 20m of AB105 tower. These were excellent units made in the 70's, very robust and worth salvaging if found. The two solar arrays actively track the sun's motion. All energy is stored in lead acid batteries. The bank is small by most standards, but then a completely sunless, windless day is rare. In case of real energy droughts, we have a generator fueled by biodiesel.



This shows the farm from the air.The windmill tower is visible next to the large roof, lower left. The shack is the roof uppermost in the picture. (No antenna when this was taken.) The climate is rainy and warm, and supports extensive rain forest from sea level up to 2500m on Mount Haleakala.


We have made long efforts towards creating a self sufficient homestead. It is quite possible to have a very good life, and also to live very lightly on the planet. I grew up with QST in one hand, and Mother Earth News in the other, and both coexist very nicely. As plant enthusiasts, we cultivate dozens of different species. We practice organic gardening, and raise a large variety of vegetables, some familiar to temperate gardeners, and some more familiar to the tropics. We also cultivate a wide variety of fruit trees, with all the usual suspects: mangoes, papayas, bananas, and many more rare and unusual.


We raise other species of economic interest, like structural and edible bamboo. Here is a newly constructed garden shed using bamboo and other woods from the land, and a bamboo chair just for the fun of it.



Aloha from wet and windy Kaupo, Maui.

In my work with alternative energy, I researched a bit into maintaining the health of lead-acid batteries.
You can learn about my circuit and testing on the Desulfator pages, hosted by a friend..

If you would like to send an email, I'm nh7o (at sign) starband dot net.