[SixClub] Progress...The 7L C3i is being worked on

[Roger (K8RI)]

KD8MRC came over with a helper yesterday and in 3 hours lowered the 
mast, removed the C3i, we lowered it to the ground using the gin pole 
and a  tag line.  It's on saw horses getting a new boom truss.

Keith then lowered the mast to where the cross boom for the 144 and 440 
antennas is about 2' above the top of the tower.  This part was 
interesting as the inside mast which is two 20' lengths but welded 
together were no longer connected together as the weld had broken.  The 
two sections were pinned with 3/8" SS bolts  to the larger diameter 
outer sleeve.  So the trick was to lower the inner mast far enough to 
get to the antennas without dropping the inner mast out of the sleeve. 
We used the bolt hole for the pin as a warning for distance..

So, Sunday we plan on taking the antennas off the cross boom, lower each 
down the side of the tower AND then using my longer (and much heavier) 
gin pole, lift the 20' long sections out of the tower. First the top 
inner section, then raise both the outer and bottom inner section to the 
point where the top of the inner section is within the thrust bearing. 
Then it's lift each using the long gin pole and lower them to the ground.

The old masting is being replaced with 2" DOM with 1/4" wall. The ends 
will be capped and welded and a 2' long mechanical coupling will be used 
down in the tower to join the two pieces of DOM.

Then the C3i goes back up, the mast is raised to put the C3i about 
12-15' above the top of the tower, the rotator will be installed, and 
then the 3L 40M3 125 will be installed just above the top of the tower.

Well, that's what's planned.  After finally getting stuff down yesterday 
I'm full of enthusiasm and optimism. May be mis directed, but I'm still 
optimistic. OTOH MAN, but it's hot out there today. It was 91 by 10 AM.  
It's hotter here than down in southern Florida.

73

Roger (K8RI)