Author Archives: Michael Taylor

Piketberg Site Visit 2026-01-05

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I departed my QTH at 10h15 to go to Piketberg site to install the repeater, controller and link radio which had been configured for the site. I arrived at 11h45 and after calling i=on the repeater and announcing my intentions (thanks to ZS1NOS for replying), I started with the install. Once the equipment was in place and all powered up, I called on the repeater again to do signal report as well as test the link radio signals for transmitting and receiving. Once again, thanks to ZS1NOS for replying and assisting in this regard.

Once all was tested and I was satisfied working, I locked up and headed home again. I arrived back at my QTH at 15h20.

ZS1MJT

Piketberg Site Visit 2025-12-31

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An early morning start for site at 07h00. A pleasant drive to the site and on arrival, I removed the controller and link radio from the cabinet and brought these back to Cape Town for setting up and testing before they get re-installed.

The audio levels needed to be configured correctly.

The controller and radio were delivered to ZS1NEV who would do the necessary repairs/configuration.

After a nice breakfast in Piketberg, I headed back home and arrived back at my QTH around 13h30.

ZS1MJT

Jonaskop Site Visit 2025-12-29

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I left my QTH at 08h00 and headed to the Jonaskop high site.

On arrival at the site, the aim was to re-install the East link radio and test communications to Riversdal. Once the radio had been connected and switched on, I called ZS1RB in George, but he could not hear me. I then contacted ZS1AAC in Stilbay and we spoke via the Riversdal repeater with good and clear signals both ways, confirming that the Jonaskop link system was working. The problem now being at Riversdal, Dana Bay or George. On further investigations, it was found that the Dana Bay site was faulty. ZS1RB will be visiting there to sort this issue out.

It was a beautiful day with temperatures predicted at 36  ̊C, a slight breeze made for an awesome site visit. After the test with ZS1AAC, I arrived back home around 14h00.

ZS1MJT

Jonaskop Site Visit 2025-12-16

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ZS1NEV and ZS1MJT left for site at 08h00.

It was a cool day, and wind was blowing with clear skies.

Today’s task was to install the controller and link radios and test accordingly.

We installed the controller and radios and did some testing. SWR was still good 1.2:1.

Link to Hanskop was working 100%, but we hit a snag with the link to Riversdal. Further testing that side meant we had to change settings on that radio. Unfortunately, we could not do this on site and brought that radio back with us for configuration.

The link to Hanskop was left on.

We arrived home about 17h00.

ZS1MJT

Jonaskop Site Visit 2025-11-23

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ZS1NEV and ZS1MJT left for site 08h00.

Today’s aim was to replace connector to the 4-stack and install the controller and 2 link radios.

En-route, we were debating as to go to the top due to cloud cover and we continued, hoping to be above the cloud level.

On arrival at the site, it was cool and a strong breeze was blowing. We were able to install the new connector and test the SWR which showed 1.2:1. Weather turned bad and wind started blowing a lot stronger. Cloud cover was causing us and equipment to get wet. Due to the low temperature and the weather getting worse, we aborted any further work. We turned on the repeater, tested comms to Cape Town and Agulhas and headed back down. We did not install the controller and link radios. Visibility at this stage was about 10m.

A breakfast in Villiersdorp to help thaw us out and we arrived back home at about 16h30.

ZS1MJT

Jonaskop Site Visit 2025-11-18

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ZS1MTF went to site and installed the new 4 stack on the tower. On completion of the installation, SWR was tested at 1.1:1. A problem arose as the connector of the new stack was different to the old one and they did not have such a connector with them.

The repeater was then left ‘off’ and another site visit would be planned ASAP to replace the connector.

Many thanks to Matt and his team for installing the 4-stack.

ZS1MJT