The ARRL antenna handbook does assume a level of knowledge , they do a Basic Antennas book and an Antenna Physics book .
The Smoking ape on You tube is worth a watch , depending on how deep you want to go he covers smith charts etc , lots of good stuff on you tube depending what you want...
When my kids were at school we made quite an acceptable periscope using the CDs that used to come with computer mags as they were disposable .
We are talking probably 15 or so years ago
Do you have an MKM near you , i have one very local to me and they have been able to source ply for mine and could even source buffalo board .
Top Tip is sign up for an online account , then you can bargain when you go into the store ,
I have used the Durafix rods with quite a good level of success , cleaning is key to a good result the stainless brush and the stainless spike need to be used .
My project was a selectionof brackets on a Leyland Atlantean that my friends were rebuilding .
The current one undergoing rebuild...
One of my other hobbies is radio was given this very nice radio receiver complete with hand book . It works but needs a bit of fettling to restore to as new performance.
Its pretty heavy so will have to use my fabrication skills to make /modify a rack to mount it in.
Just Bought 5 litres of acetone for mixing with ATF to make penetrating oil , wasn't asked for any verification , does that make me a criminal now ?
As my solicitor daughter tells me "ignorance isn't an excuse"
Welcome to the forum , I started my welding in 1979 on my own 1971 morris minor , The clarke is a good place to start , but get a decent gas bottle and regulator .
Plenty of panel suppliers Andrew Eggleton & ESM being the main ones , lots of advice on the web and You tube , once you have got...
I have had an ancient one badged as RS for about 20 yrs , was used to tighten transistors that were stud mounted . I recently bought a draper one for using on MCB,RCBO etc, cheaper than the wera ones but only occasional use in mycase.
Welcome to the forum , the indicators on most of these welders are " for indication only " you will soon get the hang of the sound and feel of a good weld
As a fellow transmit owner I would check the range switch for loose/burnt connections.
The wire feed Variac is prone to wear on the brush that can lead to interesting wire feed . If it has been sitting for a long time the smoothing capacitors may need reforming.
The key is the PSU is isolated .
If you bond the earth across you are losing the advantage.
In the modern mains supply there may be repairs that bond the earth and neutral together further back in the network.
In the event of a neutral break elsewhere your earth could rise in potential.