Jan 2006

Work at 1400' on a very cold and windy day, Jan. 14, 2006. Video of the wind. We removed the APRS Digi to update its programming and tested the repeater transmission lines for problems. This was our first tower trip after Wilma. The 442.350 TX antenna had a fault 88' from the cabinet. All others passed testing. The 147.000 RX problem must be in the receiver. A new one needs to be built and installed. John K4AG and George WT4X ground crew, Ray KD4BBM, John KF4ACN and Merritt KI4GQO on the tower. Click on any thumbnail to see if full size. Photos by Merritt, KI4GQO

Damage Control. Another tower user's antenna was flying in the wind and damaging one of the WTVJ transmission lines. We removed it to stop the damage. The 147.000 antennas were fine. Because of the top mounts on each antenna, they were one of the few that didn't get major damage during Wilma. Video of the broken part flying.

APRS Digi Reprogramming. Yes, sometimes a car battery is a handy workbench supply. There's a lot of corrosion on the circuit board of the radio, but it's working well.