On Sunday 5 June, the team consisting of Jan ZS1VDV, Paul ZS1V, Mike ZS1TAF, David ZS1DDK and Andre ZS1AN headed to Jonaskop to attend to a number of issues at the 145.675 repeater site.

It was a sunny, but cold day at around 1C when the team arrived, but warming to a comparatively pleasant 7C by the time we left at around 5pm.  A light breeze aided in keeping everybody’s hands cold.

Jan ZS1VDV selecting the correct scalpel

The following tasks were completed:

• Replacement of a faulty speech chip in the controller and re-enable temperature and voltage measurement macros
• Correction of the audio emphasis for audio from the links to the 2m repeater
• Realignment of audio talk through levels
• Installation of a second backup battery
• Reinstallation of the VHF ferrite circulator and harmonic filter after the latter was retuned
• Improve station grounding
• Install vent covers on the equipment housing
• Investigate and correct interference problem on the 2m repeater – VHF SWR was high (> 2.5)

Mike ZS1TAF and Paul ZS1V attending to the VHF SWR

At the end of the day, a light crackle in the repeater tail was traced to the audio mixer in the controller.  This was also corrected.

FLTR Paul ZS1V, Jan ZS1VDV and Andre ZS1AN

Photo credit: David ZS1DDK

The team arrived home again around 19.30.

Paul
ZS1V