Even back in the sixties, most folks spent many a summer's evening just sitting out on the porch, enjoying the evening breeze, or maybe chatting with neighbors who happend by.

So it was with Zeta (WA3FWI) and her OM, Bill (WA3FWJ). But, it wasn't long after the received their licenses that a neighbor commented that they were hearing strange sounds emminating from the downspouts on the duplex they shared with Zeta and Bill.

At a loss to explain the situation, and being new hams, the pair at first simply put it to a neighbor's protest just because the neighbor knew that they were hams, and could occasionally hear the radio's audio. The station was right there in the living room, and when the front door was open, you just couldn't miss hearing 40 meters!

But after a few days, Bill happened to be sitting on the front porch swing while Zeta was operating 40, and sure enough, there was the audio. Coming right from the downspout at the end of the porch!

Well, now what? Club meeting was the next evening, so the topic came up for discussion. Somebody happened to mention audio rectification, and explained the concept, so a visit by the local "TVI" committee was planned.

The upshot:   Sure enough, right near the bottom of the downspout, it had been extended by means of a short piece to reach the ground. And, an inspection found the culprit:   Paint rubbed off and just the slightest hint of rust. Solution:   Buffing with a piece of steel wool, followed by drilling through both pieces and installing a sheet metal screw to bond the joint.

73 de K3LBP   Larry