[SixClub] Got Lucky today!

[Roger (K8RI)]

No, not like that!
First, I spent a bit over an hour and a quarter on the tower today with 
about an hour of that on top.

On the way up I gave that Comet duo-band vertical a good inspection and 
discovered that what had looked like a split from a distance was actually a 
scrape on close inspection. I don't know what could have done that, but at 
least the antenna is in good shape, other than needing a good coat of epoxy 
paint.

I got _really_lucky_ on top of the tower. I found the tribander setting on 
the 45G top plate was held in place by only *one* loose bolt and the nut was 
on by only a couple of threads. Fortunately all 4 long bolts were still 
there. My helper sent up some SS nuts and washers via rope and I anchored 
the thing down. It took most of my time to get those 4 bolts in and the 
antennas all pointing in the same direction. It was still a bit breezy so 
getting them to cooperate was no little task. I have them all anchored down 
now so next time it'll be replace the through bolts and bring down the 
6-meter yagi and maybe the tribander.  I should bring them all down for some 
TLC as long as I'm into it this far. It's not that much more work and maybe 
one more climb. (I need the exercise)

By the time I'd finished the work on the tribander I was ready to call it 
quits for the day. It was after all, my first full fledged climb of any 
duration in over a year.  Except for the truss the 7L 6-meter beam appears 
to be in good shape. I think I can cut the end off the one truss, drill a 
new bolt hole, extend the truss a couple of inches and it should be fine, 
but the other one is badly bent.  I may just build a new truss using 
Phillystran instead of Aluminum tubing.

I have a feeling, body willing, that I'm going to be finishing up the 
antenna work in some chilly weather.  It's forecast to be in the high 50's 
to low 60 for the next 10 days and that is still about 10 degrees above 
normal. It also looks like some sunshine until Thursday or Friday.


Roger (K8RI)