Those who regularily join the PEARS 6m net on a Wednesday evening will know I have been having a problem with my antenna. Regular signal reports indicate “rain” on my signal. Given the current drought one might think this is a compliment, but alas it indicates a problem and I am required (by other regulars on the net) to fix the problem.
Offers of help flooded in (pun intended) from Al ZS2U and Andrew ZS2G. The first step was to check the radio side and we tried a few new connectors, but with only marginal improvement, it was decided the antenna would need to come down and be checked – no short cuts.
I chatted to both helpers and told them I’d take the antenna down over the weekend and (in the rather likely event that I would need their help) I’d contact them.
Saturday afternoon I asked Graydon ZU2GH to climb onto the roof and take the antenna down.
The antenna has been up there about 3 years now and probbly needed a good old “grease and oil change”. In true “boy scout thrift” the antenna was taped with crazy-tape to a piece of wood tied to the downpipe and one of the carport poles! I put it up in a hurry and it worked so well I left it just like that – for years. Literally!
A rookie mistake! In taping the antenna securely enough we taped over the drainage hole.
Graydon removed the tape to produce the most wonderful sprout of water cascading gently into the pot plants below. There was so much water that – after the initial shock – I still managed to get a few photos. I opted for photos as I thought surely there will not be enough time to get a video clip too. Well, I got photos and THEN a video clip!
We brought the antenna down and cleaned it up. Some electrical switch cleaner, steele wool, a craft knife and a few blisters later, the antenna is bright and shiny again.
At the time of writing the antenna is outside in the sun drying out. I am hoping there will be no damage to the parralel tuned curcuit and that a good dryout might be all that is required. If not, my handman skills will be pushed to the limit drilling out a rivit or two and perhaps even fixing the tuned curcuit. Maybe I’ll be lucky!
I’ll know on Christmas day – thats right, the Wednesday evening net!
