Photo by Lamb, WA6BRW
Photo by Lamb, WA6BRW |
After much discussion and some arguing, it was finally decided that we wouldn’t try to construct a 25-30 foot "gin pole". It was to be used to lift the second and last tower section for the SYVARRG repeater.
The tower units weigh over 300 pounds each and are twenty feet long. This makes it somewhat difficult to handle and somewhat dangerous too. We finally came to the conclusion we’d hire a crane and operator to do the job the easiest and safest way possible.
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| Carl starting the lift. Photo by Lamb, WA6BRW |
The preparation by Randy
There was a great deal of preparation done by Randy Oberg, KD6GIK, before all of this happened. I didn’t think to ask him how long it took but from what I saw, it must have been considerable.
He’d made a "crown" to fit on the upper end of the top tower section. This crown was like a "top hat" about a foot high and thoroughly braced to withstand the heavy weight of the 23 foot long, single piece two meter commercial antenna. If you’ll remember, the money came from the Moser Trust. These funds were given to us in order to complete the project The crown had a pipe like fitting in which the tower base would slide. A couple of sleeves were run up inside this fitting and then large bolts held everything in place. Pretty neat idea.
The workers
Our crew consisted of Roy Ellis, W6QJ; Buzz Davis, KE6BQC; Randy Oberg, KD6GIK and myself. Randy ended up being the supervisor for the whole affair but Buzz and Roy had some good ideas as the job progressed.
 Roy and Randy realizing just how high they are. Photo by Lamb, WA6BRW |
The raising of the section
Carl Mahler soon placed his crane at the correct position near the existing base. By the way, Carl was in the Longhorn having breakfast while we four were there. He left the place about fifteen minutes before us but he and his crane were on sight on Figueroa mountain before we could make it up there.
If you’ll remember, for those of you who have visited the site, there is a large tree in the way on the small path leading to the site. Carl said his hoist would be able to be seventy feet away from the actual site and still be tall enough to raise the section above the existing unit. After some positioning, he waited until the preparations were completed and the top section was hooked to his hook and cable and then he began the process of the hoist.
 Roy and Randy (l/r) watching the tower section approach their position. Photo by Lamb, WA6BRW |
Carl is pretty good at what he does. I was told by both Randy and Roy that he placed the tower section within about one inch from where it had to be. The guys juggled it a bit, got it aligned and then applied the bolts in each leg to hold and secure the section.
Installing the large antenna
After all this, they then had to climb to the top of the forty foot tower and attach the long antenna. Roy began to cut the ties holding the cardboard antenna tube while Randy hung on tightly to the antenna tip sticking out of the top of the casing. Pretty soon down came the tube crashing to the bottom of the lower section. Now Randy had to pull the twenty three foot piece of equipment up, threading it through the pipe at the top. Roy scrambled quickly to the top also to give him the two sleeves and a hand. It was heavy!
 The top section is now secure and the boys are now installing the large two meter antenna. Photo by Lamb, WA6BRW |
They soon had the antenna secured properly. The next step was to attach the RG8 cable and then run it down the tower, through the sweeps going into the cabinet. That was soon done. The final step was to test the system. A few of us made calls on the machine and the results were just great. I got a contact with Bill Talanian, W1UUQ, in Goleta, no less. Bill was very enthusiastic with our results and jumped into his car and drove to various places, checking on the repeater’s ability to get in over the mountain. In many locations, it was good.
Bill phoned Bruce Gordon, N6OLT, in Santa Barbara. Bruce was able to receive us quite clearly from inside his house. The machine with its new tower and antenna seems to be working better than ever before. Dick Davidson, W6JX, in Santa Maria had full quieting. I believe we also had a good report from the Lompoc area, too.
Conclusions
First of all, we must thank Keith Coulter, Trustee for the Moser Trust. Without their financial help, none of this would have taken place. Keith and the Trust are also the people who gave us a $15,000 grant to buy and remodel our communications trailer. That’s next
Randy should get credit for all the prep work he did. I’m sure it took many hours of his time. It is still fascinating to me on just how much talent we have in our group.
Last, we must thank Roy Ellis, Buzz Davis and Randy Oberg for giving of their time and efforts. It is this unselfish attitude that seems to be prevalent in our group and this is what makes it so great. Congrats to all of you.
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