Piketberg Site Visit 2024-10-23

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I left my QTH around 10h00 on Wednesday and headed to the 145.625 Voorstevlei high site. It was an extremely warm day with temperatures reaching 36 ͦC at lunch time.

On arrival, the ‘overload’ light on the power supply was on (there was lightning in the area and this could have caused some damage). I swapped out with a replacement power supply and did some testing. I found that the controller was also not triggering the repeater. The 70cm link radio was picking up the signal from my handheld and I could hear the audio clearly, but no reaction from the controller.

SWR on 2m was tested as 1.2:1

The controller was removed and the 70cm radio turned off for now.

The PSU will be repaired, and the controller tested to see where the problem is.

I was able to contact ZS1DFR via the 145.625 repeater at the time I was on the site, and then tested again with handheld en route home, with Schalk, ZR1SWB.

After a puncture repair and wheel change, I made it home by 15h30.

ZS1MJT

Constantiaberg Site Visit 2024-10-22

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A team of 5 met at 09h00 on Tuesday, 22 October at the Manor House at the base of Constantiaberg and took a leisurely drive up and around Elephants Eye Cave to where the mast is situated. The road was rough in a few places, but we all managed our way without any damage to our vehicles.

We could not have asked for better weather conditions, a beautiful summers day with no wind. The temperature was also very comfortable.

For some time, the repeater had caused interference when it rained and when the wind was blowing.

As we needed to climb the tower, we were reliant on Sentech employees to be present. On their arrival, they unlocked the gate at the base of the tower and work commenced. On inspection, it was found that the antenna cable going to the feed cable had chaffed through the outer casing and water had got into the outer plastic shield.

The antenna was replaced with a new one and all cables were tightly secured to prevent any movement on the cable. SWR tests were conducted before and after the antenna was replaced and a few tests were done with very good results (SWR and audio). Settings on the repeater were checked and all seemed to be in working order.

Once all the work had been completed, we had a lunch snack, compliments of David, ZS1DDK.

A final check that all was in order, and we slowly headed down the mountain. Today’s special thanks go to Schalk Burger (ZR1SWB), Rassie Erasmus (ZS1YT), David de Kock, (ZS1DDK), Michael Taylor (ZS1MJT) and LEM (ZS1LEM).

Hawequa Solar Repairs 2024-06-15

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On 15 June 2024, ZS1DDK, ZS1YT, ZS1ATX, ZS1MJT and ZS1IX installed the new solar panels on Hawekwa. During the severe windstorm of 7 April, the wind tore off one of the solar panels and also damaged the 6m antenna.

Where is the 17 spanner?

The group left around 07:00 and with beautiful sunshine and almost no wind the task could easily be tackled. By 13:00 the two new panels were installed and connected and the meters indicated that the panels were doing their job. The 6m link antenna has also been repaired.

Let’s hope it isn’t gone

Thanks to ZS1ATX, Z1YT and ZS1DDK who donated the cost of the transport towards the WCRWG.

As Eskom becomes unaffordable, the supply to the premises will be cut off on 30 June 2024. The current 4 batteries are 5 years old and need to be replaced soon. Please feel free to make a donation to the WCRWG for the maintenance of the repeaters in our area. For more information, see wcrwg.co.za

Install completed