Hi, folks!
First of the month, getting awfully close to the end of the year and it’s been a real busy one. Sunday just past was especially busy around Hanskop – a short summary is in your favourite status report and details can be found on the website.
Also, a big thanks to the donors 🙂
David (ZS1DDK), Andre (ZS1AN) and Jan (ZS1VDV) did maintenance on Hanskop.
Summary:
Removed UPS, replaced with battery and charger
Changed UHF repeater frequency (434.650 output/ 433.050 input)
Log:
Left Bellville 06:45.
Packed all equipment in Stellenbosch (07:45) (4 ammo crates, 2 x 15L storage boxes, 1 tool box(very heavy), Pelican case, comms test set, table and chair). (Takes about 1.5 hour to prep all equipment).
Collected battery and low drop out switch in Somerset West from ZS1V (08:00).
Collected key from ZS1YT (08:15).
Arrived on site at around 09:05. (15 degrees Celsius)
Unpacking
Removed faulty UPS (Battery banks is dead).
Installed new Victron Energy Charger.
Collect more equipment at N2 (Thank you Melissa (ZS1MEL) for driving from Stellenbosch).
Installed battery (donated by ZS1V).
Backup Battery
Changed power wiring for new configuration.
Retuned UHF duplexer for new frequencies (434.650 output / 433.050 input).
Retuning Duplexer
Duplexer Results
Made changes to repeater configs.
Tested UHF repeater (1.5 SWR and 0.56uV sql)
Made changes to link controller.
Left site 14:23. (4 degrees Celsius)
Drop key at ZS1YT 15:15.
Unpack equipment in Stellenbosch 15:50.
Home in Bellville 16:30.
Hey, peeps!
Not much changed from last week, although I note that the investigations into interference on the link system continue. More strength to the wands of the wizards 🙂
Hi, folks!
First off, thanks to Jan for pointing out that I have fat fingers and that typing 156.650 when aiming for 145.650 doesn’t quite make the grade. 🙂
Secondly, and I only noticed this right now, I forgot to change the date on the top of the first page of the report from the 4th to the 11th! Nobody pointed that out – did anybody notice? 🙂
Lastly, I’ve been through this one with both pairs of spectacles on and it looks like I haven’t messed anything up… so enjoy! 🙂
Evenin’ all!
Yup, your latest status report is here, for your reading pleasure. Don’t forget to take a peek at the rest here on the website as well 🙂
Update: Ooops! Bit of a typo there. 156 is so close to 145 on the keyboard, you know. 🙂
Here’s the correct version… sorry about that.
ZS1YT, ZS1VDV and ZR1SWB went to Hawequa to investigate some errors after big Eskom/power outages/instability the last few weeks.
Vehicles Parked
The morning started at around 07:00 with packing all tools and equipment. Left Stellenbosch around 08:00. On site at around 08:45.
First checked all voltage levels. It was found that the Benton Charger again was off and not charging the battery. The charger was replaced by an 10A Victron Energy charger which was donated by ZS1FX.
The link controller opened, and no damage could be seen. The audio paths was traced and all seemed in order. A complete firmware reload and configuration reprogram was done. At a stage last week the controller was rebooted numerous times(by power outages/spikes) and this caused the configuration to go faulty.
Left for home around 10:15.
Home and unpacked by 11:30.
Evening, all!
Yup, a brand new status report for you full of information, intrigue, action, high-speed car chases and romance! Well, perhaps not all of that… certainly loads of information 🙂
Enjoy 🙂
Oh, and CB’ers (ex or current) are NOT allowed to comment on the date at all this month. *grin*
Good evening, all!
Firstly, apologies for the lack of a report last week but a visit to hospital put the presses on hold. Everything turned out well and now there’s a report for this week. Enjoy! 🙂
AGENDA:
Reinstall 434.600 Repeater and Duplexer
Research interference from 145.600 Repeater on commercial repeater
Research interference on 433.000
Research 145.600 dropout on input from Jonaskop.
Jan(ZS1VDV) left Stellenbosch 07:30.
Reinstalled 434.600 Repeater and Duplexer. Checked SWR (1.1).
Interference on 433 was determined to not be within the hut.
The interference from 145.600 and the commercial repeater was determined to be proximity. Moving antennas will be investigated. (Before tower fall it was 11m vertical, now only 1m vertical and 3m horizontal)
Could not replicate the dropout. Problem will continue.
Back in Stellenbosch 12:40
Good evening Ladies, Gentlemen and other sentients.
It is with great pleasure that the Western Cape Repeater Working Group presents the latest Status Report for your perusal.
Be Well 🙂