Before the antenna install
Yes, the ladder does go to the top, along with a guy wire to
help you to get upright and not fall off... |
Before antenna install
Note the short pipe that runs through the center of the tower,
like all tower top sections have. That pipe down in the tower section is
where the second ant anna mast U-bolt clamp will go, as pictures show later
on.
There was some curiosity as to how the tower actually mounts to the tank.
It looks like metal brackets come up from the tank to the antenna tower.
One in this picture is easily seen, the other two are not. |
Before the antenna install
Though the picture is noisy looking, the metal tower support brackets are
more apparent. |
Just after antenna installation
This picture was taken not long after the antenna was installed but still
months away form having the repeater actually operation. The antenna mast
U-bolts look in parallel with each other. Also you can see in this picture
that the lower U-bolt is clamped the center tower pipe. This should end
the discussion of where the lower clamp is mounted. Some thought it was
on an outer leg of the tower.
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Not even a month after installation
We had many days of persistent high winds during the winter months. One
member back in January quickly noticed the antenna had a lean to it, but
not as bad as it is in July! So more pictures were taken. In both pictures,
you can the the pair of mounting U-bolts are not in parallel with each other
as they appear in previous pictures. The repeater is not on the air as yet.
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Antenna
undeniably leaning
It was observed in late June (more high winds) that
the antenna was leaning even more. In July this picture was taken. Close
ups follow below.
It should be noted that this antenna was chosen to go up the tower over
the Diamond we had due to the wind rating of the Diamond (model F23, look
it up) was lower. And we proved that with Hurricane Charley
and Jeanne (see both brief
mentions). That and hope that this antenna would fair better when it came
to lightning as opposed to the Diamond which got obliterated.
(after seeing picture) Any more questions? |
Antenna undeniably leaning
The tower climber came out and took a look back in April and said everything
was 'solid' up there. He did notice some guy wires were broken and so they
were replaced. Since then the antenna has continued to shift around and
suspect that may contribute to the repeater crackle/desense problem. This
is believed because when the climber was up there fiddling with things the
crackle/desense was obviously aggravated more than usual by the disturbance
of items being worked on upstairs. This picture was taken when the antenna
was leaning the most as observed yet.
|
Antenna undeniably leaning
This is another picture more close up. In this picture you can see where
the lower mounting clamp is attached to the tower. Now compare the two mounting
brackets!
Also the question as to whether or not a coaxial jumper (soft line) was
used between the antenna and hardline, in case something does bend....Well
that looks like some pretty thick stuff up there is all that can be said. |
Antenna undeniable leaning
Just another picture. |
Related
articles with a few other pictures not shown here:
 Repeater
audio crackle & desense return after antenna inspection
Tower
climber, "It's an illusion"
Antenna leaning again
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