May 28, 2007 - The repeater antenna appeared from the
ground to be broken off at the flange due to the wind. Chuck
N9PMW went up the tower approximately 8:00 am. Finding the
antenna and mount broken at the flange he removed the old
antenna to put up a temporary one. Chuck put up a magnet
mount mobile Hustler collinear antenna, donated for
temporary use by Dave K9DVL and connected it to the hardline, waterproofing all
the connections and taking pictures so a suitable permanent
solution could be made. Chuck also lowered the old antenna
to the ground. Chuck was back down around 10:30 am.
October 13, 2007 - After a cool, no a cold start to
the morning Chuck started up the tower at 10:40 am. Tools
were sent up to remove the old pipe from the flange as well
as prepare for the new mount built by Dave K9DVL to be sent
up and mounted with a new antenna donated by Robert K9AWH.
The ground crew cleaned up the mouse and rodent nests in the
repeater cabinet and prepared for bulkhead connectors to be
mounted in the cabinet so it could be sealed up and prevent
this from happening again while the work ensued on top. The
old thread came out much easier than anticipated shortening
the total time on the tower. The mount went into the flange
easily and was secured properly with a minimum of effort.
The antenna mounted on the new pipe and is over the vent as
to prevent signal shadowing. The hook or shepherds crook
from the old mount was reused as it was noted on the May
climb how well it worked over the previous couple of years.
Everything secured well and connected with proper water
proofing Chuck was down approximately 2:20pm. The tone
squelch signal on the repeater was found not to go all the
way through. This proved to be the only casualty of the
project but it was quickly fixed the next morning by Phil
W9LVY.
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