[K3CAL] Fixed: Locked Up Repeater... Net at 7:30 tonight

[Brian K]

Hello all,
At about 8:30 am the Lusby 444.950 repeater locked up and transmitted a dead carrier. Several attempts by several operators to reset the repeater using over the air commands failed. By the time I was able to leave Upper Marlboro and get to Lusby, the repeater had been on the air transmitting a dead carrier for over three hours. 

I am happy to report that the repeater has been reset. It is on the air now, functioning as it should. All SWR and power level measurements are good. None of the equipment was harmed.

It appears that the lock up may have been caused by a tower site back up generator test that occurred. It is possible that voltage fluctuations that occur when the transfer switch changes from commercial power to generator power. Are just enough to upset the control hardware of the repeater. 

The club might consider installing a back up power supply aka UPS unit to absorb the glicth in the power source and prevent lock ups in the future. More on this later.

Many thanks to all who lent a hand this morning, especially Bill N3XMZ who took the time to meet me at the shelter.


Brian