Nov: Antenna maintenance

Harry goes up to inspect the rotator
Harry goes up to inspect the rotator

Martyn ZL3CK, Jim ZL1TGS, Harry ZL1BK, Dave ZL1DL, Steve ZL1FS and Merv ZL1SK put in some hard graft on the East Tower and beam, starting on 2 November 2018.

Summary by Martyn ZL3CK
Photos by Ann ZL1BFB

Antennas on the East Tower
Antennas on the East Tower

We now know the terminating resistors for the Vee Beam were two toaster elements at 137 ohms total resistance. Dave is endeavouring to source something better as the now-available toasters have much lower resistance elements and they are hardly non-inductive!

Checking the pivot bolts
Checking the pivot bolts, which were badly rusted. L-R: Steve, Martyn and Harry.
Harry and Steve getting a closer look at the pivot bolts.
Harry and Steve getting a closer look at the pivot bolts.
antenna maintenance
Perhaps a squirt of this will help.
antenna maintenance
How about a little more leverage?
Jim and Harry cutting the rusted pivot bolts
Jim and Harry cutting the rusted pivot bolts

We got one of the pivot bolts done. Harry and Jim in particular did a great job up the ladders and tower.

The next job is to replace the second pivot bolt and retrieve the rotator to see if it’s possible to repair. The two rotators we have ‘in stock’ are a different type and would not fit the current setup easily it seems.

Part 2: 6 November