Today is the day
23/07/26 09:06
After months of planning, ordering equipment, repairing storm damage, and waiting for the right opportunity, the next major phase of the N5XO Weak Signal Station officially begins.
This morning we'll be lowering one of the largest H-frame antenna assemblies on the property to begin a complete rebuild and upgrade. It's a project that has been in the planning stages since lightning struck the station, and by the time we're finished, this tower will be significantly more capable than it has ever been.
What We're Lowering
The H-frame currently supports an impressive collection of antennas and equipment, including:
- Two stacked 2-meter Quad antennas
- One 1.25-meter Quad
- Two stacked 36-element 1296 MHz Yagis
- A solar-powered Meshtastic relay
- A G7 2-meter FM simplex antenna
- Two stacked K5VH omnidirectional antennas used for weak-signal SSB work
Recovering From the Lightning Strike
Mother Nature had other ideas earlier this year.
A lightning strike took out several important pieces of equipment, including:
- The 180-degree 8-megapixel panoramic camera
- The solar-powered Meshtastic relay
- Damage to other station equipment that has already been repaired or replaced
The Upgrades
When this project is complete, the tower will return to service with a number of exciting additions.
900 MHz Weak Signal Expansion
One of the most exciting additions is a 36-element 900 MHz Loop Yagi, giving us greatly improved performance on one of my favorite weak-signal bands.
Bigger Performance on 1296 MHz
The pair of stacked 36-element 1296 MHz Yagis will be replaced with a single high-performance 45-element Loop Yagi.
Sometimes bigger isn't simply more antennas—it's better engineering. This new antenna promises outstanding gain while simplifying the overall installation.
New Camera System
The destroyed panoramic camera will be replaced with a much more capable surveillance system.
The new installation will include:
- Dual-head camera system
- Infrared night vision
- 4-megapixel imaging
- Continuous monitoring of the other towers
- Weather observation
- Horizon monitoring
- Additional station security
Meshtastic Returns
The Meshtastic solar relay is also being completely rebuilt and returned to service.
The relay has become an important part of our growing regional mesh network, and I'm looking forward to getting it back on the air.
More FM Simplex Range
One addition I've wanted for quite some time is a dedicated 13-element vertically polarized 2-meter beam.
The goal is simple:
Push our FM simplex coverage even farther across South and Central Texas.
As many of you know, I've become a huge believer that FM simplex is one of the most underused capabilities in amateur radio. Every improvement we make helps demonstrate just how far simplex communication can really go when stations are properly equipped.
Working Around the Texas Heat Dome
The biggest challenge may not be the antennas...
It may be the weather.
Central Texas is currently sitting beneath an intense heat dome, meaning we'll be working around dangerous afternoon temperatures. Safety comes first, so most of the heavy work will happen during the cooler morning hours, with shorter work sessions once the Texas sun begins doing what it does best.
If Mother Nature cooperates, I'm hoping to have everything rebuilt, tested, and back in the air within one to one-and-a-half weeks.
Building the Ultimate Weak Signal Station
Every improvement brings us one step closer to the vision I've had for years—a station capable of operating continuously from 160 meters all the way through 10 GHz, supporting everything from local FM simplex to long-distance weak-signal work, microwave experimentation, emergency communications, Meshtastic networking, and beyond.
This isn't just maintenance.
It's another major step toward building one of the most versatile VHF/UHF/SHF amateur radio stations I've ever imagined.
Stay Tuned
Over the coming days I'll be posting photos, videos, drone footage, progress reports, and hopefully plenty of stories from the rebuild.
By the time this project is complete, the tower will not simply be repaired—it will be stronger, smarter, and more capable than ever before.
The tower is coming down...
So it can come back up better than ever.
73,
Greg Lewis – N5XO Founder, HAMster Weak Signal Group
