This past Thursday we finally were able to get a tower climber for the first phase of the repairs on the repeater tower. Below is what we accomplished and what is left to do. There are also some pictures from the work that was done that day.
It was a beautiful day as you can tell from the pictures and was a great day to be on top of the mountain.
Here were the problems we knew about going into the day:
- D-star 440 repeater antenna stabilizer was broken.
- D-star 2 Meter repeater antenna stabilizer was broken.
- D-star 2 Meter repeater antenna has broken elements.
- D-star 2 Meter repeater antenna main pipe is not straight.
- The lower 440 vertical antenna that was on the tower did not appear to be attached anymore.
Here is what was done:
- Both stabilizers were brought down off of the tower to get repaired. (there are some pictures of the broken stabilizers below)
- D-Star 2 Meter repeater antenna was swapped with another DB224 that was a spare. The one that was brought down will be repaired and will be a spare. There are pictures of the broken elements in the pictures below.
- 440 antenna that was on the same level as the 2M D-Star antenna was checked and the jumper from the hardline to the antenna was a victim of ice. That jumper was brought down for repair.
- Heliax feedline was checked for both the 2M D-star and 440 antenna and checked out to be in great shape.
- New 2 Meter D-star (The DB-224 antenna) had an SWR of 1.2:1.
What is left:
- Both of the stabilizers will be repaired and put back on the tower
- Jumper for the 440 antenna will be put back.
Special thanks to David Tucker for coming out and doing the climbing for us.
Mike,
Thank you for all you do and the others that help you. A very special
thanks to Dave, his efforts will certainly assure FARG’s future in being
one of the best repeater systems in Maryland. Sure hope you can keep
him and the others in the loop for the future challenges that FARG will
Face. Also thanks to you for the complete status of what is happening.
Phil W3ICF