<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Went to Pine today to do a basic check on the system.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Found the UHF antenna with one end on the ground and the other on the roof of the building. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is a 16 element folded dipole antenna about 16ft long.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>IT was bolted to a pipe mast that was then bolted to the framework that holds our other antenna and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>YellowKnifes dishes…..One of their dishes is attached to the pipe mast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> A bracket that held the pipe mast to the framework failed and the antenna toppled over and snapped the other bracket.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This could explain the issue with Mt-S not getting into Pine Mt. Which appears to be resolved now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Antenna was still working, hard line had enough slack that it stayed fully connected along with YellowKnifes dish.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>However, a few of the folded dipoles on the antenna were bent pretty bad at the top and bottom of the antenna.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u>Current Status:<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Disconnected Antenna from its mounting mast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Removed the Wireless dish from the mounting mast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secured wireless dish back onto frame work and in general direction it was pointing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Moved the antenna to the north side of the building and leaned it up against<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the building and secured it to the building. 8 elements below the building and 8 above the roof line.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SWR showing 1.25 on its transmit of 444.750 and 1.75 on receive at 449.750<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u>Next Steps: Work Party.<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>If we chose to put it back up, we need to mount the support mast to the framework<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mount the antenna to the support mast, back in business.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The original method of mounting is not going to work as the brackets are severely damaged.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Drill new holes and enlarge a few holes on the framework.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secure the support mast and antenna to the framework.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is going to take at least 3-4 people to do correctly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Back in Business.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Other option is to not put the Folded Dipole back up and locate a UHF collinear like what we<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>currently use for VHF and replace the FD antenna….. we would lose some gain, but the FD is showing some <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>signs of wear and tear from many harsh winters.<br>Research is under way to see what that option would cost us. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PRO: able to survive harsh winters. True Omni Directional.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CONs: A bit less gain.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Input suggestions direct to me please.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>.>Max<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>73 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Max Vaughan KF7MAX Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>High Desert Amateur Radio Group<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 723<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bend, Oregon USA 97709<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>541-706-1475<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>