The AL1G Install In Alaska
Friendship on the Airwaves: From Dayton to Alaska with Corliss
Ham radio isn’t just about frequencies and callsigns—it’s about connection. Sometimes, those connections span decades and thousands of miles. This is a story about friendship, timing, and a shared passion for the magic of Ham Radio. 💖📶
I first met Corliss back in the early 2000s at Dayton Hamvention. It was a handshake, a quick hello, and a brief exchange beside her late husband, Frank Hurlbut—KL7FH (SK). Just one of those moments you store away, not knowing how it might come back around. 👋🕰️
Years passed. The airwaves kept buzzing. Life moved on. 📻⏳
Then, in 2023, out of the blue, Corliss messaged me:
“Any chance you’d make it up to Alaska this season?” ❄️🇺🇸
My calendar was packed—but I wasn’t about to shut the door on this.
“I can’t this year,” I said, “but if you can’t find an installer in Alaska, let’s aim for next year.” 🚫📆➡️📅
Not a yes. But definitely not a no.
And just like that, the seed of a new adventure was planted. 🌱
🔁 Fast forward…
“I don’t want just any installer,” she said.
“I want you.”
That kind of trust? You don’t take that lightly. 🙏
She’d already ordered the antenna—expecting it by the end of 2023. I told her I knew the distributor and would make sure everything arrived intact. No way I was flying out only to find parts missing. 🛠️✈️📦
But then, a twist—when I asked the manufacturer to double-check the parts list, they got offended. Offended enough to cancel the whole order. 😳❌
So I called Corliss and said:
“Forget it—we’ll go with GXP. I know those antennas are rock solid, complete, and dependable.” 💪📐
We went back to the drawing board—this time with clarity and confidence. 🧭
✅ We reached out to GXP, excellent product
✅ Their 3B-5L model? A perfect match for Alaska’s rugged terrain and sky-high signal demands. 3EL on 10/12/15/17/20
✅ And the price? Cheaper than the U.S. antenna—even with shipping from Poland. 🇵🇱✉️💸
Reliable. Affordable. Trusted.
This wasn’t just Plan B.
This was a win. 🏆
So Corliss and I made it official:
2024 is the year. 🚀📅
From a handshake in Dayton to a radio tower in Alaska—this is the kind of journey only ham radio can create. 🌍📡❤️
JFK Airport NYC (Alaska Here We Come)
I asked my wife, “Hey, want to go to Alaska?”
She lit up and said, “Ooh—like on a cruise?”
I said, “Not exactly... more like to install an antenna.”
She gave me that look — you know the one.
“Why?” she asked, a bit confused.
I told her it’s for a YL (young lady ham), and we could squeeze in some sightseeing between the tower work.
Surprisingly, she said yes.
But here’s the twist...
My mom, who’s in her 80s, overhears the plan and casually drops,
“I’ve always wanted to see Alaska.”
Without skipping a beat, my wife Lori says,
“Sure! Come along!”
So now… it’s me, my wife, and my mom — headed to Alaska for an antenna install.
Adventure? You bet. Typical? Not a chance.
Ray W2RE and Corliss AL1G with Lori KB2HZI in the background!
In one suitcase? My climbing belt, pulleys, and a few must-have tools. 🔧 I figured I’d grab some rope locally and leave it behind when we’re done. No sense hauling every last coil across the country! 🪢🧳
As you’ll see in the photo—we got creative right away. Corliss’s cat gate (a.k.a. child gate) has been officially repurposed as a makeshift sawhorse. Sometimes ham radio builds need a little improvisation! 😅🐱🪚
It’s now August 2024, the weather’s a crisp 60°F, and Lori and I are ready to roll. First up: build out the GXP antenna, then take down the old setup perched on her Rohn HBX 56' tower. 🏗️📡
Not my favorite tower to climb—let’s just say the top section isn’t exactly boot-friendly. So yeah… I packed my sneakers. 👟😄
Let the real work (and fun) begin!
After checking out the site and scoping our options, we decided the smartest way to tackle the install was to build the antenna right on the roof—then lift it into position from there. 💡⬆️
So that’s exactly what we did. We prebuilt the entire GXP antenna, piece by piece, and got straight to work. No delays. No excuses. Just tools in hand and Alaska air in our lungs. 🔩🧰❄️
Now, I’ve got to give a shoutout to my wife Lori (KB2HZI)—she’s not just along for the ride. She knows her way around antennas and towers like a pro. This isn’t new territory for her… in fact, she was bossing me around the whole time. 😄
But hey—I’ve got selective hearing, and let’s just say… I didn’t catch a word of it! 👂❌😂
Seriously though, this kind of teamwork makes these builds not just efficient—but actually fun.
First Move!
⚡️ Down Comes the TH3 — Safety First! 🏡🔧
Before we could raise the new GXP 5B-3L, we had one big job to tackle: taking down the old HyGain TH3. Luckily, it wasn’t too difficult—but we weren’t taking any chances. 👷♂️📡
The biggest concern? The power lines running dangerously close to the corner of the house. One slip, one wrong move… and we’d be in serious trouble. ⚠️⚡️
So we played it smart. Threw a huge, thick blanket over the lines—just in case anything went sideways. We weren’t about to let a rogue boom or loose element turn this into a shocking experience. 🧺💥
It’s always about respecting the hazards and having a plan. With the TH3 safely down, the stage is now set for the GXP build to take center stage!
Now its time to build the GXP 3B-5L
🚀 Day One: A Towering Success in Alaska! 🏔️🔧📡
Day one of the project was a big one—and we crushed it. 💪
We got the entire GXP antenna built on the roof, and took down the old HyGain TH3 without a hitch. That alone would count as a win on any job—but after traveling thousands of miles to get here, it felt especially rewarding. ✈️✅
Back at the Airbnb, my mom was holding down the fort. She knew we had two long, full days ahead before we could kick back and explore. She waited patiently for us to wrap up—dinner ready and warm when we finally returned. ❤️🍽️
📸 Check out the photo gallery above for a look at how day one unfolded!
Coming up on day two:
📡 Raising the new GXP 5B-3L to the top of the tower
🎯 Running wires for 40m and 80m
🔌 Installing all-new feedlines
The real heavy lifting is next—but with day one in the books, we’re more than ready.
Day #2 GXP Install on HBX 56’ in Anchorage Alaska!
🌅 Day 2: GXP Lift-Off Day! 🚧📡
Like any job we tackle—whether it’s Lori and I, or maybe it was Bobby and I this time—we're always up early and on the move. ☀️💪
Before heading to the site, I made a quick pit stop at the local hardware store (pretty sure it was a Lowe’s) to grab a pulley for the base of the tower and some rope to hoist the antenna. 🛒🪢
We pulled into the site right around 8 a.m., ready to kick off Day 2 of the build. Today’s mission?
🚀 Get the GXP 5B-3L up the tower
📶 Test it and make sure it plays
🔌 Start wiring everything for clean, reliable feedlines
No frills—just focus, teamwork, and the satisfaction of seeing everything come together one step at a time. Let’s get this GXP in the air! 🌤️🛠️
Perfect timing with plane fying by!
🚀 And Just Like That… 56 Feet of Success! 📡🙌
Boom! Just like that, the GXP 3B-5L was up and locked in at 56 feet. After a long climb in sneakers and some careful work at the top, I had the antenna secured firmly to the mast. 🏗️🔧
And of course, right as I gave the final thumbs-up, my wife Lori snapped a perfect selfie—antenna in the background, tower gleaming, and a plane flying overhead. ✈️📸
Timing? Impeccable.
Teamwork? Unmatched.
View from 56'? Unbeatable. 🌤️
This is what ham radio builds are all about—effort, elevation, and a little bit of magic.
When Corliss AL1G mentioned how tough it is to find climbers in Alaska to handle antenna work like this, I knew we had to do it right—and do it all the way. 💪
So I double-checked every bolt, every bracket—everything tight and secure. Then it was time to dive into the cabling:
⚡ Ran all-new coax
🧹 Removed the old, worn-out lines
🔌 Made sure every connection was solid and clean
The whole process took two full days—probably close to 20 hours total. But this is Alaska in August… and the sun’s always hanging around. ☀️🕒
No darkness, no rush, no problem.
We took our time, and we’re absolutely thrilled with how it all turned out!
This wasn’t just a project—it was a commitment to getting it right.
🎥 The View from the Top — Anchorage, Alaska! 🏔️📡 My Reel posted on Facebook
The video above gives you a firsthand look at the station from atop the tower. We're talking right in the heart of Anchorage, Alaska, with the mountains on the horizon. 🌆⛰️
It was a crisp 50–60°F in August, and the air up there? Fresh, quiet, and totally unforgettable. 🌬️🧊
Ray W2RE in front of AL1G’s new GXP 3B-5L
📡 Mission Accomplished — And It’s Beautiful! 😍🎉
Here I am, standing proudly in front of the brand new GXP antenna—and wow, isn’t she a beauty? 🔥
After all the planning, climbing, and long hours, we finally flipped the switch—and the results speak for themselves. 📶💯
I worked Corliss from Maine recently, and she came in 59+20 dB. That signal punched through a pileup like a dream! 🌎🔊
We’re absolutely thrilled with how everything turned out.
Clean install. Strong signal.
Couldn't ask for more.
Did we go sightseeing? Absolutely! Gallery Above
My 82 year old mother went Zipling in Alaska!
We had a blast in Alaska! What started as two days of tower work quickly turned into a few unforgettable days of exploring. A business trip that doubled as a vacation—what’s better than that?
Needless to say, we did right by Corliss, and this unique work-cation gave us a chance to see Alaska from a perspective most people don’t get. I'm always looking outside the box, and this trip was no exception.
Alaska is officially checked off the bucket list—though something tells me Corliss might want us back again!
Thanks for reading!
Oh, and by the way—there was a U.S. manufacturer who missed out big time. With all the media exposure I bring, the publicity alone would’ve been worth it. Lesson learned: never burn bridges. I’m always a believer in keeping doors open!
