[AK-VHF] Antenna Maintenance at KL7UW

[Ed Cole]

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