[GCARC] tower trouble/ happy ending!

[Agustin Neron Properties LLC]

OK, special thanks to those who showed up to help -
AD2CS Chris
KN2U Ken
N3PUU Frank, and
N2SRQ Charlie

What we thought was rotor failure turned out to be a case of loose hardware.
Evidently the vertical bolts had not been securely tightened, and one came out, allowing the mast and antennas to tilt.
All was secured, and it went back up in record time!
A short writeup will follow in Crosstalk with some cool pics.

73 Darrell AB2E


>     On 10/06/2022 5:47 PM Frank Romeo <frank at execupages.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>     I'll be there. Need anything?
> 
>     -Frank
> 
> 
>     On October 6, 2022 3:10:31 PM EDT, Agustin Neron Properties LLC <ab2e at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>         > >         OK we're going to start at 830A.
> >         Chris AD2CS is joining us again.
> > 
> >         We could still use 1 or 2 more pairs of hands?
> > 
> >         73 and see you at 830A Fri morning (tomorrow).
> >         Darrell AB2E
> > 
> > 
> >             > > >             On 10/06/2022 2:54 PM Agustin Neron Properties LLC <ab2e at comcast.net> wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > >             Chris,
> > >             I was thinking around 830 or 9A, whatever works for everyone.
> > >             So far KN2U Ken, Charlie N2SRQ, and myself confirmed.
> > >             What time tomorrow is best for you?
> > > 
> > >             Be sure to reply all, so the group gets it too.
> > > 
> > >             I went to HRO this morning and got the replacement motor section. I mounted it on the 3ft mast (we are doing away with the 7ft mast, and moving the 6m yagi to just a foot above the C3S. This will greatly reduce torque on the rotor which may have cause it to fail).
> > > 
> > >             Anyway, we just need to lower the mast, drop the C3S, then the mast w/6m yagi will be light enough to set down.
> > >             The lower clamp of the rotor was new, and only needs 4 bolts removed to take off the old rotor. Then we easily mount the new rotor, then proceed from the stepladders re-mounting the 2 yagis.
> > >             Then crank back up.
> > > 
> > >             Darrell
> > > 
> > > 
> > >                 > > > >                 On 10/05/2022 9:42 PM Agustin Neron Properties LLC <ab2e at comcast.net> wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > >                 I forgot to mention the obvious, which is the mast with both antennas now tilts at a 20-25 degree angle upwards from horizontal.
> > > >                 73 Darrell AB2E
> > > > 
> > > >                     > > > > >                     On 10/05/2022 9:41 PM Agustin Neron Properties LLC <ab2e at comcast.net> wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > >                     Hi all,
> > > > >                     Well, looks like it only took Murphy 3 days to strike.
> > > > >                     Take a look at the pics. The closeup was taken by my Samsung phone, telephoto lens mode. From what Ken KN2U thinks, and I agree, is the rotor bell housing has failed and crunched in on itself, maybe had a crack and was getting ready to fail (it was used when I got it). HRO has a replacement in stock, so tomorrow morning I'm picking it up.
> > > > > 
> > > > >                     How many of you guys are again available this Fri AM?
> > > > >                     I could do it Sat any time, but apparently there's a tech Sat field trip.
> > > > >                     If Sunday is the best day some time for all, we could do it then as well.
> > > > > 
> > > > >                     It should be a quick swap, and slight mod. The launcher and all guys will remain in place.
> > > > >                     *Lower and remove tubes like we do Sunday afternoon at FD.
> > > > >                     *3 guy line workers needed for safety just like when it went up
> > > > >                     *Make sure it's just the rotor and nothing else.
> > > > >                     *Replace with new rotor.
> > > > >                     *Reduce torque on rotor by moving 6m yagi way down, just a foot or so above the C3S (I am thinking of removing the 6m yagi entirely to substantially reduce the torque on the rotor)
> > > > >                     *Raise the mast like we did last Fri.
> > > > > 
> > > > >                     Please reply all with your availability, 1st and 2nd best times/days.
> > > > > 
> > > > >                     Thanks again to all and 73,
> > > > >                     Darrell AB2E
> > > > >                     Cell: 856-304-3323
> > > > > 
> > > > >                 > > > > 
> > > >             > > > 
> > >         > > 
> >     >     -- 
>     Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
>