[SJDXA] de w2gd

[Bob Schenck N2OO]

After speaking with Marty, the consensus is to have our work party next
Saturday, December 8, starting at 9 a.m.  Bob has alerted the SJDXA
guys.....GREAT!  
 
Current weather forecast for Saturday is better than Sunday, although we
might have a sprinkle or two ... but temps will be in the 40s to 50.
 
I see five primary tasks for the work party to address on Saturday (in
priority order):
 
1.  If not done beforehand, test the 7/8 heliax cables used to feed the 160M
TX array.  If either or both test bad, determine cause of failure.
Determine alternative feedline solutions and resource requirements.
 
I understand from N2OO cable testing has been scheduled to be done by SJDXA
members this coming Friday, using a Megger, dummy load plus MFJ, and
hopefully some RF too.  Ideally, install dummy load at tower end of heliax
cable, put 100W into the cable, and measure SWR on several amateur bands.  A
sweep the cable with an MFJ analyzer to confirm a flat response would be
further proof of cable condition.
 
2.  If not done beforehand, test the eight RG8X cables entering the building
via the two buried conduits (the beverages enter the bldg. this way).  Label
the outdoor end (and indoor end too) of each cable for ease of identity and
further diagnostics.  Determine source of failures if any - expect some of
the connectors to be bad, especially those with crimp on connectors.
Again, testing with both MFJ and RF power are suggested.

 

Hopefully these 8 cables can also be tested on Friday .  Fully expect some
will test bad.  New coax connectors may resolve one or more of the failures.
 
3.  Install 160M TX array.  This will require untangling the pull rope which
is somehow caught on the NE side of the tower at about 180 feet (hopefully
this can be done without a climb).  Installing the TX array requires a
minimum of 4 people working in wadders in the marsh.  Once the wires are in
the air, GD will climb to secure the feedlines.  We should be prepared to
test and adjust the antennas with RF from the shack.
 
4.  Lay out coax cables and connect  9 to 1 transformers to the NE, N/S, NW,
W, and SW beverages.  Some emory cloth or sand paper will be needed to clean
up wires prior to connection to the transformers.  
 
5.  Walk the NW N/S, SW and Northern element of the NE beverages and make
repairs as required (lots of trees down in the woods).  GD needs one helper
to walk the beverages with him through some difficult terrain. Anticipate
about 30 to 50 mins. to make repairs to each beverage element.

 

Lets see how this all goes.  :-)

 

Thanks for everyone's efforts.

 

John W2GD

 

 

See ya' in the Pileups!

73!

Bob Schenck, N2OO

President SJDXA

GO SJDXA!!! www.sjdxa.org

 

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