Volunteer HAMS install HF antenna at Castle Hospital for emergency communications - Comet CHA250B

Volunteer HAMS install a new High frequency (HF) antenna at Adventist Health Castle / Hospital for emergency communications.
Adventist Health Castle / Hospital had a HF wire antenna but is out of commission
The hospital has gotten a new vertical HF antenna and needed help installing it.
This upgrade supports the Statewide Healthcomm net that meets the first Saturday of every month 9:00 AM HST, on 7.080, 3.835, or 5.357 USB (Ch 3 on 60 m).
All amateurs are welcome to check-in.
Contact KH6DQ Jack at [e-mail] for notices.
Health Comm Net
First Business Day of the Month...1145 AM
Installed was a Comet CHA250B HF/VHF Vertical Antenna. The CHA-250B, no ground radials, no tuning or adjustments, and VSWR under 1.6:1 from 3.5 MHz to 57 MHz! Plus, the wide bandwidth, low-profile, all-in-one antenna.
www.cometantenn...
Location: Adventist Health Castle
www.adventisth... Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii
Volunteers for this project
KH6LT - Mark
WH6EQU - Howard
KH6ML - Michael
When a major emergency or disaster event occurs, normal modes of communications are frequently disrupted or overloaded. Storms can disrupt power grids and destroy cellular and microwave antennas. A major emergency can easily gridlock wire-line and cellular phones for an extended period.
Amateur ("Ham") Radio has provided a dependable communications pathway for many decades simply because each Ham radio station is designed to be totally self-contained and fully independent. And it has proven its value in every major emergency, including September 11, 2001, up to the present day.
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The mission of Health Comm is dedicated to enhancing the emergency communications of participating institutions of the Hawaii Healthcare Association of Hawaii in times of emergency when normal means of communication are overwhelmed, failing, or non-existent. We are committed to:
Developing effective and coordinated volunteer Amateur Radio communications in support of the healthcare institutions.
Assisting the institutions with the technical requirements of Amateur Radio communications, within the guidelines of the Institution and healthcare facilities' regulations and standards.
Maintaining a relationship between healthcare institutions and Radio Amateurs that enhances each party's service to the community.
Active promotion and education of potential resources in the healthcare institutions and community.
Encouraging active and continual training and orientation of everyone involved.
Providing for the safe delivery of Amateur Radio communication in the healthcare environment.
Advancing and promoting Amateur Radio service as a whole.
We are committed to providing support utilizing well-trained and experienced professionals who volunteer to assist the healthcare institutions. We agree to develop mutual expectations and strive to exceed these expectations through professional and ethical conduct. We are flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the institutions' emergency communication needs.
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Health Comm's success is due in large part to the cooperation of the healthcare institutions which we support. Each institution provides a location, purchases the needed amateur radio equipment, generally VHF/UHF, and installs the antennas and feedlines. Members of Health Comm provide needed expertise in equipment selection and antenna placement. In many cases, hams will bring along their personal equipment as a back up.
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For more than 100 years, Amateur Radio - also called ham radio - has allowed people from all walks of life to experiment with electronics and communications techniques, as well as provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster or emergency, all without needing a cell phone or the Internet. 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide. Throughout COVID-19, HAMS around the world have continued to be on the air practicing their skills, in part as a way to help stay connected.
www.earchi.org/... Emergency Amateur Radio Club - Hawaii would like to assist Oahu residents in obtaining or upgrading their FCC Amateur Radio licenses.
An amateur radio operator is someone who uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other amateur operators on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio license by a governmental regulatory authority after passing an examination on applicable regulations, electronics, radio theory, and radio operation. As a component of their license, amateur radio operators are assigned a call sign that they use to identify themselves during communication.
Amateur radio operators are also known as radio amateurs or hams. The term "ham" is a nickname for amateur radio operators.
Comments

[@murilorodrigues776]

So many unnecessary and, sometimes, malicious criticisms. I see the work and the idea of ​​having an emergency radio station set up in a hospital in a fantastic way, almost nowhere in the world does this happen. Congratulations to everyone involved in the project and keep up the excellent work. that in the future other locations may have emergency amateur radio stations set up. 73 from Brazil, PY2DS

[@KH6ML]

Thank you for your kind words. The hospital requested our assistance, and we were more than happy to help. Given Hawaii's remote location and Oahu's history of landslides and communication issues, having an emergency radio station is crucial. It’s important that they have a reliable and affordable communication option in place. They also have other means of communication, but this setup can be extremely beneficial. Our group regularly practices using both SSB Voice and Winlink with VARA HF to ensure readiness. Thank you once again for your support. 73 from Hawaii, KH6ML.

[@Bill-c5i]

I am currently using this antenna and I have made contacts all over the world. Correct installation makes all the difference. You can't just stick it in the air and expect it to work. Reading the instructions makes all the difference. This is an add on comment but even little things can improve the performance of any antenna. Cutting coax the proper length, avoiding obstructions, and a good ground can improve antenna performance. Three of my rigs have internal tuners and they each are used on separate bands 15, 20, and 40. Minor tweaks are all that was needed and my swr's are 1 or less. I have a kenwood TS-520 that I use for 10 meters and it doesn't even require any tuning. I live on a plateau with a fairly high elevation so I am sure that helps too! I think sometimes people can get too serious about all this. Its supposed to be something to enjoy. My antenna is better than yours. Well whoop te doo.

[@KH6ML]

Aloha! That's great to hear you've been making contacts worldwide with the Comet CHA250B! You're absolutely right-proper installation is key, and reading the instructions can make all the difference in performance. It's not just about sticking the antenna up; understanding placement, height, and even minor adjustments can drastically improve your HF communications. Mahalo for sharing your experience-it’s always helpful for others setting up their own systems to hear how important following the guidelines can be for global reach! Keep making those DX contacts! What is your call? Mine is KH6ML

[@leskeegan9033]

Spent a couple of hours on the roof of a local hospital this morning changing out a AREDN mesh network antenna. Pretty hot here in Florida for October.

[@KH6ML]

That is great to know. We are working on AREDN mesh networking around the state.

[@marklowe7431]

Great use of skills

[@KH6ML]

Glad you think so!

[@danyeurgt]

That red OpsCore is awesome

[@KH6ML]

Mark loves that cap!

[@oldmech619]

Looked a little dangerous holding a HF antenna lightning rod on top of a roof with rain clouds nearby. My heart just lit up.

[@KH6ML]

We luck with the weather here. If we thought lighting or rain we would had done it on another day!

[@oldmech619]

@@KH6ML I am sure you would have waited for a better day if there were lightning in the area. Thanks for the video. Wish I had an antenna that nice.

[@gothikia]

Well if it hit them, they wouldn't have had far to go!

[@bs1consilioetprudentia505]

Safety first, but it looks like you're "going to war". 73 OM

[@KH6ML]

Mark is always ready for just about anything.

[@KH6DAN]

Nice job Hams. KH6DAN

[@KH6ML]

MAHALO

[@nine7295]

No sealing tape over the coax connector? That's not very good.

[@KH6ML]

Understood! Learning and growing everyday! The video was a highlight reel, not all parts were seen.

[@tonyridlen]

Excellent video! KC9QVE Marion,Indiana

[@KH6ML]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelruther9175]

Looks like nice job.

[@KH6ML]

Team effort! But Mark did most of the work!

[@tomcruiser2407]

Such an effort for such a dummy load. I also had them in operation.;-)

[@KH6ML]

Sorry to hear that

[@RobBob555]

Wrong..its a great antenna..IF you know what your doing 🤷‍♂️🙄

[@Bill-c5i]

I am currently using this antenna and I have made contacts all over the world. As it has been said correct installation makes all the difference. You can't just stick it up any way and expect it to work. It always helps to read the instructions.

[@Roger_Stenning]

Sorry, music used is horrible. Couldn't listen, so didn't bother with the rest of it. Sad, bacause it could have been a nice article without that utter rot and nonsense that they used :(

[@KH6ML]

appreciated the feedback

[@q95oldies57]

How's the Comet 250B do? I know it's a compromise, and many say it's just a huge resistor at the base. OK, I've heard all that. How does it perform, fair?

[@KH6ML]

We have tested it and it is working.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

I would like to know some detail for the install. Was it to help in a specific emergency or a part of ARES?

[@KH6ML]

Howard who is a volunteer ham radio operator at the hospital, called up and asked for help. Mark took the lead on pre installing the antenna at his house and testing it and getting it ready to put up. All three hams are members of ARES/RACES. It was not specific emergency or a part of ARES event.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@KH6ML Thanks! 👍👍

[@DJGeorgetheoriginal]

Hi, I have this antenna. Can you please provide any information on the tilt bracket. Thanks.

[@YouMissed_Trump2024]

Looking for the same info on the mounting bracket parts.

[@KH6ML]

! For those asking about the tilt mount, I believe it was the DX Engineering OMNI-TILT™ Vertical Antenna Tilt Base (DXE-OMNITILT-2P). It really made the installation process much easier, especially when working with the Comet CHA250B HF antenna.. The tilt base allows for easy adjustments and maintenance without needing to take the antenna down completely. Definitely a great tool for simplifying vertical antenna setups. Mahalo for sharing and helping others with the installation process!

[@KH6ML]

I believe it was the DX Engineering OMNI-TILT™ Vertical Antenna Tilt Base (DXE-OMNITILT-2P). It really made the installation process much easier, especially when working with the Comet CHA250B HF antenna.. The tilt base allows for easy adjustments and maintenance without needing to take the antenna down completely. Definitely a great tool for simplifying vertical antenna setups. Mahalo for sharing and helping others with the installation process!

[@4S7JL]

Nice de 4S7JL

[@KH6ML]

Mahalo / Thank you.

[@YouMissed_Trump2024]

Can you provide the info on the bracket mounting parts. Thanks

[@KH6ML]

Take a look at DX Engineering OMNI-TILT™ Vertical Antenna Tilt Bases DXE-OMNITILT-1P

[@NebulaHatesWatchdog]

“HAMS” no need for capitalization, it’s not an acronym ;)

[@KH6ML]

Mahalo for the comment and the thumbs up. I hear you!

[@pedersteenberg2010]

WOW

[@KH6ML]

MAHALO

[@alfredkwok9239]

This HF vertical antenna is just the dummy load and the efficiency is very low

[@KH6ML]

Guess what it works.......Is there better antennas...sure..... are there worst antenna sure...... This video is to highlight the volunteers that installed it for the hospital. 73

[@r3n0x_pr]

Hi guys, I recently install a Comet CHA-250HD it is very similar that the one on the video. I have a question for you. Why you add glue on each union? I didn’t find anything about that in the installation manual… Is that necessary or just precaution?

[@KH6ML]

Thanks for your comment and question! Adding silcome to each union can provide some extra security and help to prevent any loosening or separation over time. While it may not be explicitly mentioned in the installation manual, it's a common practice for KH6LT to do it. and some installers may opt to do it as a precaution. However, if you're unsure or want to double-check, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional or reach out to the manufacturer for their recommendation. Hope this helps, and happy installing!

[@r3n0x_pr]

@@KH6ML Funny that I asked and the next day I started to have high swr on my comet cha-250hd and when I took it down and separated found drops inside it. Can you suggest me what silicone to use on my antenna? It's like the one in the video but the new version. Thanks in advance!!!

[@nativetexan9776]

You guys are kind of up in years. I hope you have some new blood to take your places at the mic when the man with the cycle comes for you. Good gestures and ideas usually end because the ones making it happen, passes away. Better get some young people in there with you, not all retired volunteers.

[@KH6ML]

Aloha KE50A. Neat to think about retirement! I got at least 15 more years of work.

[@rayhill7613]

Not hating here but a climbing a 8' ladder with a harness and hardhat on a flat roof? Safety is important but so is commen sense. I would be more worried about lightning than a 8' ladder.

[@KH6ML]

The hospital required the use and it never huts to be ready for anything!

[@nealbeach4947]

A Hospital with an amateur radio license? Interesting.

[@KH6ML]

Yes, it's definitely interesting! Having an amateur radio license at hospitals like Adventist Health Castle ensures they are prepared for emergencies, and each hospital has its own call sign. The setup allows the location to remain fixed, even if there are multiple shifts of operators, providing continuous communication coverage. This is especially important for hospitals participating in the Statewide Healthcomm net, where clear, reliable HF communication can be vital during emergencies. Plus, all the standard amateur radio rules apply, keeping everything consistent and regulated. Mahalo for your comment and interest in how amateur radio supports emergency preparedness!

[@swedesspeedshop2518]

If you hurt yourself they would charge you full price in the ER lol

[@KH6ML]

Most likely!

[@matthewlee2686]

Good job maskers

[@KH6ML]

Yep! Required at the hospital.

[@krawehlkrawehl4757]

CB-Antenna with Balun ... for a nickel

[@KH6ML]

They asked us to install it we did not pick it.

[@JA-fy1bn]

A horrible waste! Get rid of the music and tell us what you are doing?

[@KH6ML]

You are right! I might do that some day! But If I don't post it, I forget it's on the camera roll, this was a fast way to at least get something up and running.

[@JA-fy1bn]

@@KH6ML Good for you.