April 2, 2008
Repeater system installed at new site continued....
Glen KA2EUM gathers up tools to connect ground wire to hardline outside of building. Cavities fit perfectly under the utility table as shown.
Howard WB4NYT in the corner saves the day having an adapter to interface between cavities and hardline. Preparing repeater for install.
(read lower scale) V.S.W.R. test between Repeater and cavities.
We tested the reflected power between the output cavities and feedline going up to the antenna. There is some reflected but no biggie. But when we put the wattmeter between the Repeater and Cavities- uh oh! An unexpected 4 Watts reflected and that is a concern. This will need further investigating.
Glen KA2EUM attaches a ground wire to the hardline.
Repeater in it's place of prominence.
(above) Repeater system installation is complete and there it sits in the corner.
Howard WB4NYT donates new pushup pole to mount the repeater control receiver antenna on. Thomas AG4UC looking on, steadies ladder.
With all goals met for the day, John KC4KLM tests the repeater and control functions before putting the repeater into normal operation. It was decided to not put the repeater on tone at this time.
The first official words uttered after the repeater went operation was by John KC4KLM: "Let there be RF! The LWRA repeater is back on the air. Anyone around?"
Silence, was the reply. About 1/2 hour later some one East of Lake wales came on. Hopefully more chatter will soon follow as a reward for all the work and donations poured into getting the LWRA repeater back on the air. - USE IT! -
Hours later after the site was all locked up, came the mysterious sputtering and unrelated crackle/desense. When some one tried to use the repeater. Sounds like teething troubles! "Well makes things interesting and give folks something to get on the repeater and talk about." someone once said.
Here
is a .PDF file that describes what the crackle/desense were experiencing
may be from. It may also help you some day with your own home antenna installation/tower
issues.Article end.
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