Category Archives: Maintenance

Maintenance Jonaskop 20200912

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It was a challenge to predict the correct maintenance slot for Jonaskop. The weather changed a few times in the week.

David ZS1DDK picked up batteries, which was fetched from him during the week by Jan ZS1VDV. Rassie ZS1YT facilitated all payments.

John ZS1EQ delivered the automatic switchover and LVD (Low Voltage Disconnect) / OVD (Over Voltage Disconnect) box to Matt ZS1MTF on Friday evening.

A team consisting of Matt ZS1MTF, Nic, James ZS1RBT, Paul ZS1V and Jan ZS1VDV went to Jonaskop to upgrade the emergency battery capacity, install the automatic switchover and LVD/OVD box, replace all cable ties (lasted about 8 years in the sun) and tension the tower stays.

Replacing cable ties and working on stays

Saturday morning started at 06:00 packing the vehicles.

Left home around 06:30.

08:30 stopped at site. The weather was not cold with a moderate breeze, which turned into a strong breeze as the day progressed.

Vehicles parked n top and mast (left)

11:30 done and left site.

13:00 safe home.

Maintenance Jonaskop 20200719

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Matt ZS1MTF, JP ZS1JPM and Jan ZS1VDV investigated the power outage at Jonaskop. The sun was out, some wind was blowing and some left over snow was visible.

An upstream Eskom breaker was reset.

With the storms, the hut took a bit of a beating. The one air vent cover needed to be replaced and the outside temperature sensor wire repaired.

The backup battery distribution was upgrade and fuses installed. The site is now ready to take an easy install of 2 more batteries.

Maintenance Piketberg 20200627

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Michael ZS1TAF did a quick on site diagnosis on 26 June 2020 and found that the controller needed reconfiguration.

Paul ZS1V and Jan ZS1VDV went to Piketberg on 27 June 2020.

The controller was reinitialized, firmware reloaded and reconfigured. (Last done 3 November 2018)

The VHF antenna system was found to have a 2+ SWR, and needs servicing.

Hanskop emergency visit 20200601

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On Monday 1 June 2020, Jan ZS1VDV and Paul ZS1V visited the Hanskop 145.600 site to assess the damage to the equipment after a burglary that occurred over the weekend prior.
The perpetrators ripped out and made off with the battery charger, multiplug and 220V power lead. Temporary repairs were made and plans put in place to return and complete the restoration.