[SMCARA] SMCARA Museum Project Update

[Bill Merritt]

Just wanted to send out an update on the Air Museum project.  Hope I’m not stealing anyone’s thunder.  Let me know if you have corrections or additions.    Bill, KB4QAA

Progress last week:
- The ground mount for the Gap Titan HF antenna was placed.   We dug a 28” x 14” hole and filled it with 240lbs of concrete.  The pipe is 6ft 16 gauge and has about 3 ½ ft above ground.  It is located in a small clearing behind the museum.   Thanks to Ray, KB3FWW for the grunt work.  Note to self:  Never mix this much concrete in a 3 gallon bucket ever again. Ever! ☺

- The VHF/UHF antenna roof mount was disassembled and the vertical piece trimmed even with bottom.  Mount reassembled and now sits flat and square.

Future Plans:  We are at the point that we only need about 3 weekends of about 2 – 3 hours work for about 5 people to complete the outside work.  Once done we will have the capability to get on the air! 

Plan for Saturday 4 June 2005:
1. Lay Gap antenna on ground, check fittings and tighten all screws/nuts.  Mount antenna on base and install wire skirt.    Requires: 3 people, 1 hour, hand tools
2. After mounting trim back tree branches.  Requires: 1 person, 30 minutes extendible tree pruner (Who can bring??)
3. Lay coax in shallow trench from ground mount to museum rear wall below penetration. Requires:  2 people (more is better), 1.5 hours, shovel (who can bring??)
4. Additional:  If a 25 ft ladder is available additional work can be accomplished such as bringing the coax inside after trenching, taking VHF/UHF equipment to roof.
5. If you are planning to come Saturday let me know.


Outside Tasks Remaining:

Gap HF antenna
- Lay Gap antenna on ground, check fittings and tighten all screws/nuts.  Mount antenna on base and install wire skirt.    Requires: 3 people, 1 hour, hand tools
- After mounting trim back tree branches.  Requires: 1 person,  extendible tree pruner
- Lay coax in shallow trench from ground mount to museum rear wall bellow penetration. Requires:  2 people (more is better), 1.5 hours, shovel

VHF/UHF antenna
- Raise following to roof:   Rubber mat, antenna base, white whip antenna, concrete blocks.  Requires:  25ft ladder, 40ft ½” or ¾” rope, 3 people minimum, strong arms.
- Lay rubber mat, set base on mat, set concrete blocks around edge of base
- Mount antenna on base.  Requires 2 people, hand tools
- Connect coax to antenna.  Requires electrical tape, coax seal, amalgamating tape

Coax Penetration Improvement
- Procure coax penetration grounding block
- Install coax penetration grounding block
- Ground block to ground rod below.  Requires grounding wire and clamp
- Cut 2 coax lines and install 4 PL259 connectors onsite, 2 inside, 2 outside.
- Better stuffing arrangement for wall penetration?


Bill Merritt
MerrittWS at Earthlink.net
KB4QAA /3  Amateur Extra
Jefferson 552, VA Wing CAP