[SixClub] Something else to fix
Mr. Richard J. Fiero II W5TFW
w5tfw at cox.net
Sun Oct 21 22:59:00 EDT 2007
I am getting tired of it, LOL, but its not tired of me........
Joey
Mr Richard J. Fiero II
A.R.S. W5TFW
Em-40 DXCC VUCC
www.w5tfw.com
www.6mt.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <50MHz at rogerhalstead.com>
To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: [SixClub] Something else to fix
>
>
>
>> Roger,
>>
>> You are in a fix.
>
> And as I get older there's more stuff that needs fixin' <:-))
>
> Hi Joey,
> I hope you are doing well.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>> Joey
>> Mr Richard J. Fiero II
>> A.R.S. W5TFW
>> Em-40 DXCC VUCC
>> www.w5tfw.com
>> www.6mt.com
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Roger (K8RI)" <50MHz at rogerhalstead.com>
>> To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:13 PM
>> Subject: [SixClub] Something else to fix
>>
>>
>>> My gripe for the day, <:-))
>>>
>>> Wellll... I knew finding one of the boom trusses for my 7L 6-meter yagi
>>> on the concrete apron in front of the shop this afternoon was not a good
>>> sign. Then I noticed the 50, 144 and 440 antennas were windmilling and
>>> the tri-bander was not. That the tri-bander wasn't was a good sign as
>>> it's temporarily setting on the 45G top plate. However the only way the
>>> others could windmill would be if the 3/8" through bolts holding the
>>> mast togeter have sheared.(or fallen out) So the only thing stopping the
>>> rotation are the LMR 400 Ultraflex rotator loops.
>>>
>>> We've had some very strong winds over the last week with one day of
>>> severe weather where we were under a tornado watch for nearly 12 hours.
>>>
>>> So, at any rate it looks like the 6-meter yagi is going to have to come
>>> down for maintenance as are the 144 and 440 arrays.
>>> I'm building a 50 or 60 foot, rotating, fold over pole to go on the
>>> back (West) end of the shop so the 6-meter yagi may go there as it
>>> really doesn't need to be at 115 feet. OTOH I do want the 144/440 arrays
>>> as high as I can get them. Actually 50 feet should be good for the
>>> tribander as well. Then I could put a 3 or 4 L 40 up on top of the 45G.
>>> I said 50 or 60 feet and that depends on the price of steel. Going from
>>> 50 to 60 feet doubles the cost (or a bit more) of the pole and adds
>>> almost 30% more weight to the pole and to the base/raising fixture. It
>>> also requires more concrete.
>>>
>>> A 40 meter yagi might be just a bit much as I'm just getting back to
>>> climbing. I did make it "up there" last week which aint bad considering
>>> I needed help to stand April 4th. I'm not quite up to the old "stay up
>>> there all afternoon though. <:-))
>>>
>>> This leaves me back to using the AV-640 on 6 until I get the rotating
>>> pole finished, installed and running. Hopefully I can get the base in
>>> before the ground freezes and the pole up before the snow gets too deep
>>> to haul nearly 400# of steel through the yard to the back of the shop.
>>>
>>> At this point though, I'll be happy if I can get the antennas down,
>>> fixed and at least get the 144/440 array back on top with the rotator
>>> installed. (and hope I have enough *good* LMR 400 Ultraflex for the
>>> rotator loops). Getting the pole up would be gravy and having it working
>>> with the 6-meter yagi on top would be fantastic. I say that as this has
>>> not been a good week for radio gear around here.
>>>
>>> In addition to having the problems with the antennas, my FT-897 has a
>>> broken CW key jack, my DR610T duo band rig had the socket for the A/B
>>> band selection switches break off the circuit board, and the power
>>> supply for my 756 Pro blew up.(I have an Astron RS-50M for a spare). Oh,
>>> yah...The speaker in my VX7R needs to be replaced and it has to be sent
>>> in for that. (the speaker is bonded in the case. Oh, I've been saying
>>> this is the first year since the tower went up that it hasn't been hit
>>> by lightning. I think I lied. The Comet duo-band vertical that is side
>>> mounted at around 40 feet has a split about 8" long in the base section
>>> about 3' above the radials. I've seen this in the Diamond version of the
>>> same antenna and that one I know was hit by lighting. I won't know for
>>> sure on this one until I get it apart. I just happen to have a brand
>>> new Diamond in the shop that is all ready to go up. Of course I had
>>> planned on using it for digital...
>>>
>>> I shouldn't say this out loud, but so far the Icom IC-7000 out in the
>>> shop is running fine. OTOH it is one of the most difficult to use/set
>>> up/program rigs I've ever used. The 897D is a bit easier to use with a
>>> more logical layout to the menues, but I think the 7000 is better built.
>>> The 897D and the 7000 make good mobiles, but are not very convenient
>>> when it comes to the flexibility needed for rapid changes as an all
>>> band, all mode base station. I could write a disertation on those two.
>>> <:-))
>>>
>>> That socket for the DR610T is only 1/4" X 3/16" and the only thing that
>>> holds the volume/squelch/AB switches in place so it takes all the force
>>> from pressing to select either the A or B side and any bumps in the car.
>>> I'd guess breaking it off basically renders the control head beyond
>>> echonomical repair.
>>>
>>> Ah, well, back to planning out tomorrow's tower work.
>>>
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Roger (K8RI)
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>>
>>
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