From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Aug  7 00:09:40 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2021 20:09:40 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 7 - 144.200 USB
Message-ID: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>

The net begins at 9:30 am on 144.200 USB.? I also monitor 223.50 FM 
simultaneously.

See you tomorrow!

73, Ed - KL7UW

From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Aug  7 15:26:56 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2021 11:26:56 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 7 - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>

Sorry to miss the net.? Somehow I thought today was Sunday.? Big OOPS!
See you next week.

Ed - KL7UW

On 8/6/2021 8:09 PM, Ed Cole wrote:
> The net begins at 9:30 am on 144.200 USB.? I also monitor 223.50 FM 
> simultaneously.
>
> See you tomorrow!
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> ______________________________________________________________
> ak-vhf mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Fri Aug 13 10:53:06 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2021 06:53:06 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 14 - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
	<473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>

NET will be delayed until 10:30am-11am because I will be driving to 
Sterling to return a man-lift at 9am.? With time to unhitch and settle 
paperwork with 45-minuted drive home its likely to be near 10:30.? Net - 
144.200 USB

Winds are calm today at 6:45am and hopefully I will accomplish all my 
tower maintenance tasks.? At minimum have slipping rotator fixed and 6m 
SWR solved.? I will also try to figure out why elevation encoder stopped 
working (unplugged?).? I will get the 432/900/1296 antenna repointed to 
Anchorage and check SWR on all.? Might even install coax connector on 
second KLM11 (2m) yagi.? We'll see.

See you tomorrow at 10:30(ish).

73, Ed - KL7UW



From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Aug 14 17:55:35 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:55:35 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 14 - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
	<473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
	<e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <1a11a650-e96d-81a8-529a-9c80bea21353@acsalaska.net>

Well - Missed the net, again.

Tried to get some things done on the tower so left at (9:45am to return 
the man-lift which meant I did not get home until 11:30am.

Some success and some not:

I installed longer 10mm bolts with locking nuts (8) in place of the 
bolts supplied with the Alfa-Spid RAK rotator.? Also drilled a 3/8-inch 
hole thru the rotator and mast to prevent slippage (broke 7/16-inch 
drill bit so ended up with 3/8-inch so hoping its strong enough).? I 
applied non-permanent hardening? loctite to the new hardware, so hope it 
holds up with the huge wind area of the dual 6m yagi array.

I found the two LMR-400UF coax jumpers broken (pulled apart) and also 
the cat5-e elevation encoder cable when free-rotation by wind wrapped 
cables tight to the mast (looks lie 4 or 5 full rotations). Removed 
remnants and found one 6m yagi has a discontinuity in either the 
25-fooot LMR-600 phasing line or the antenna (the antenna normally 
presents a dc short on the center wire and that is not present plus 
infinite SWR.? I taped the connector and connected only one antenna, 
bypassing the 2-way splitter by using a couple ten-foot LMR-400 cables 
using N "barrels" for connections.? Seems I have some bad barrels.? A 
lot of time lost finding the problem because my MFJ-269D antenna 
analyzer decided to stop making good measurements (when battery voltage 
sagged below 9v - duh).? I charged it the night before for over 4 hours 
(so guess its time to buy new batteries -rechargeable AA).

Also the new RJ-12 cables I bought from e-bay were no good (only after 
spending time to install in the elevation encoder box (which has to be 
hack-sawed to remove two machine screws which had seized).? More time 
lost "spinning wheels".

I also installed a bolt to hold the plastic covered mast that supports 
the 1296 and 900 MHz loop-yagis.? Dressed all new lines, nicely to find 
the 6m SWR on the good antenna was infinite at ground level.? Back up 
the tower to isolate by which darkness arrived (long day at 40-foot).

Afterward it occurred to me that I had a good LMR-400 cable of 17-foot 
which would reach directly to the N-female connector of the 1-/58 inch 
hardline running up the tower to base of 2-way splitter. Also I hand 
installed RJ12 connectors on a 13-foot run of? cat5e (not fun).

Saturday morning I went back up to do the changeover and forgot to bring 
the 17-foot jumper (argh).? I installed the cat5e into the elevations 
encoder box and secured wiring by 9:30am.? I called the man-lift rental 
to see if I could extend my rental for Saturday but they had it rented, 
so I quickly prepared the man-lift for 45-minute drive back (and missed 
the Net).

Reaching the level of the KLM11 cable to install new coax connector was 
out of reach of the man-lift (to do next time with a lot of other stuff).

73, Ed - KL7UW

On 8/13/2021 6:53 AM, Ed Cole wrote:
> NET will be delayed until 10:30am-11am because I will be driving to 
> Sterling to return a man-lift at 9am.? With time to unhitch and settle 
> paperwork with 45-minuted drive home its likely to be near 10:30.? Net 
> - 144.200 USB
>
> Winds are calm today at 6:45am and hopefully I will accomplish all my 
> tower maintenance tasks.? At minimum have slipping rotator fixed and 
> 6m SWR solved.? I will also try to figure out why elevation encoder 
> stopped working (unplugged?).? I will get the 432/900/1296 antenna 
> repointed to Anchorage and check SWR on all. Might even install coax 
> connector on second KLM11 (2m) yagi. We'll see.
>
> See you tomorrow at 10:30(ish).
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ak-vhf mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Fri Aug 20 02:11:27 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2021 22:11:27 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] Antenna Maintenance at KL7UW
Message-ID: <44b379bd-eef6-5dda-67d4-d2eb162ed88e@acsalaska.net>

On Friday I rented a man-lift to do some work on the 6m tower (40-foot 
Rohn-45):

Replaced eight bolts and added set nuts on the Alfa-Spid RAK rotator 
(azimuth drive).? Drilled a hole to insert a 3/8 inch shear bolt thru 
rotator and mast.? Now working, well.

Discovered two 6m LMR-400 coax jumpers pulled apart plus the cable from 
the elevation sensor.? Also discovered one 6m yagi not showing 
continuity in the phasing line.? Ran LMR-400 coax to the working 6m yagi 
to bypass the 2-way splitter and also eliminated short LMR-600 jumper to 
common port of the splitter.

Installed a replacement cable to the elevation sensor which did not work 
(brand new from e-bay).? After end of day (9pm) discovered new jumper to 
6m antenna was also not working

Next day man-lift had to be returned so only got replacement cable 
installed in the elevation sensor.

Wednesday, Had a tower climber go up the tower to replace the bad 6m 
jumper and also plug in the elevation sensor.? A dummy load was attached 
to the bad 6m antenna phasing line for later troubleshooting at the 
antenna end.? Array was rotated full turn to release tight coax wrap of 
the 2m yagi coax and the elevation actuator motor cable which showed 
abrading (wrapped in electrical tape).? This resulted in good connection 
to the single 6m yagi with 1.1 SWR.? So 6m is functional with one yagi 
in azimuth and elevation.? I will try 6m-eme weekend of August 28 
(possibly).

Unfortunately, didn't test the 2m cable and it shows open ckt, now. 
Apparently the tight wrap of the coax did damage that manifest after 
release of tension.? So I will only have use of my 2m vertical for this 
Saturday net.

Contacted the man-lift rental, today, and its possible to rent weekend 
of August 28-29 (wx permitting).? I ordered 35-foot of new LMR-600 and 
some new N coax connectors for use in repairs which should arrive next 
week.? I may get 2m yagi fixed in time for Aug. 28 net as man-lift is 
picked up Friday afternoon.

Ed-KL7UW

From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Fri Aug 20 16:01:04 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2021 12:01:04 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 21 - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
	<473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
	<e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <fcc3e910-0762-5ab1-bb89-23fb90170d63@acsalaska.net>

Net will begin at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.? I also monitor 223.50 FM.

Due to incurring high SWR on the 2m yagi, I will be running my vertical 
with 130w.? 220 I run 30w to two 11-element yagis.? And since recent 
maintenance, I have use of one 7-element 6m yagi which can rotate.? I 
run 80w on 50.125 USB.

Hope to see some of you on the net since my two weeks absense.


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Aug 21 16:51:32 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2021 12:51:32 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 21 - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <fcc3e910-0762-5ab1-bb89-23fb90170d63@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
	<473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
	<e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
	<fcc3e910-0762-5ab1-bb89-23fb90170d63@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <857e59bf-c2df-7b49-0656-e3d36e7667e0@acsalaska.net>

Net Report:

144.200 USB (using Vertical antenna):
KL7XJ - S7
KL7JD - S9+30
WL7BER - S0

223.50 FM:
KL7XJ - 2bar
224.94 repeater - 3bar

50.125 USB:
none

next week net will be on 146.52 FM

73, Ed - KL7UW

On 8/20/2021 12:01 PM, Ed Cole wrote:
> Net will begin at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.? I also monitor 223.50 FM.
>
> Due to incurring high SWR on the 2m yagi, I will be running my 
> vertical with 130w.? 220 I run 30w to two 11-element yagis.? And since 
> recent maintenance, I have use of one 7-element 6m yagi which can 
> rotate.? I run 80w on 50.125 USB.
>
> Hope to see some of you on the net since my two weeks absense.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ak-vhf mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Aug 28 01:40:11 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2021 21:40:11 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 28 - 1446.52 FM
In-Reply-To: <fcc3e910-0762-5ab1-bb89-23fb90170d63@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
	<473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
	<e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
	<fcc3e910-0762-5ab1-bb89-23fb90170d63@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <63c9450b-d68d-78f9-3607-96c6c6206527@acsalaska.net>

Net will start at 9:30am, tomorrow, on 146.52 FM.? I also monitor:
223.50 FM
50.125 USB

73, Ed - KL7UW



From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sun Aug 29 12:25:15 2021
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Ed Cole)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2021 08:25:15 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: Aug. 28 - 1446.52 FM
In-Reply-To: <63c9450b-d68d-78f9-3607-96c6c6206527@acsalaska.net>
References: <13060d01-6d3f-78cd-60e6-fd21a02a47b6@acsalaska.net>
	<473b3c31-9ac6-1ea7-48b3-7222b46dbaf0@acsalaska.net>
	<e1003957-36b0-0bea-bddc-41ce01e036ba@acsalaska.net>
	<fcc3e910-0762-5ab1-bb89-23fb90170d63@acsalaska.net>
	<63c9450b-d68d-78f9-3607-96c6c6206527@acsalaska.net>
Message-ID: <f9648ad5-46c6-77ee-37fd-6d6db9563236@acsalaska.net>

Net Report:

146.52:? 130w to 11-dBi vertical
KL7XJ - S7
KL7H - S0 not copyable or any other stations
KL3WF - by relay from KL7H on 220
WL7BER - by relay from KL7H on 220
probably others, bad propagation

223.50:? 30w to two 11-element yagis (est 13 dBi)
KL7XJ - 2bars
KL7H - 1bar and lower
KL6M - 1bar and lower
both Anchorage stations lower than normal, poor prop

50.125:? Noise=S5; 70w to a 7-element yagi (12.9 dBi)
KL7H - S8
KL6M - S8 on his 5-element yagi
KL6M - S6 on his vertical
WL7BER by relay
WL7AU - S5 in the noise
KL7FN by relay
KL5TW by relay
I'm using a 7-element yagi in Horz polarity so stations with verticals 
are greatly reduced in strength.

A lot of chasing around three bands of which only 6m worked very well.? 
I may have my 130w 220 amp
Installed today or tomorrow.? Next week 144.200 USB

Very nice remembrance of Ed Back-VE6NH (sk) Saturday afternoon. Large 
turnout!? Ed was founder of
the Moosehorn ARC.

73, Ed - KL7UW
On 8/27/2021 9:40 PM, Ed Cole wrote:
> Net will start at 9:30am, tomorrow, on 146.52 FM.? I also monitor:
> 223.50 FM
> 50.125 USB
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ak-vhf mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>


