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

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 5/26/2010 3:26 PM, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
> 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
I just might be back on six by the time the band is dead for the summer 
months.

BTW when Wayne (KD8MRC) dropped the 4 coax pigtails that were still up 
there it produced some unexpected results.
By the time the cables were half way down we could hear them whistling 
through the air.  Having been up there for nearly 8 years there were 
some bends that had taken a set. However the ends of two cables hit the 
ground end on. They were both stuck into clay loam about 8 inches and 
took noticeable effort to pull out. Yes the ground was damp, but walking 
on it did not leave foot prints. We were careful to clear the area and 
to prevent any one from wandering in, but had one of those cables hit 
some one (let alone a dropped wrench) it would have left more than a welt!

Tomorrow, I *hope* to purchase 3 lengths of 2" 1/4" wall, DOM and have 
them drop it off after work.
If all goes well I should be able to cut 6, 2" diameter disks and weld 
them over the ends of the DOM, create a coupling for two of them, get 
all three painted, and weld up two sleeve bearings before Sunday 
although I doubt we'll have time to put them back in the 45G by then.
BTW the only remnants of the C3i's boom truss was one twisted boom 
clamp. I have no idea as to where the second one went, but there's 
nothing sticking up out of the garage or shop roofs.  The first one I 
found "sticking a foot deep in the ground between the garage and shop". 
It had landed end on.

The *new* boom truss is going to consist of Phillystran, SS eye bolts, 
two turn buckles, and SS saddle clamps.  I dare those Cormorants to try 
and roost on a piece of Phillystran<:-))

  73

Roger (K8RI)