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8/29/2006
August 29th, 20006
Two days before
"Ernesto" makes a visit to Central Florida, K4EIO told me I was
putting off a project that needed to be done. The Guying of the
Tower that sets next to our little house. It was in the plans so
that it might gain a bit in elevation in the near future. However
with this storm that, at this writing doesn't even know what it is
going to be, a Tropical Storm or a Hurricane, it has been both up to
this point. Linda and I ran around on Monday to get the needed
supplies in order to facilitate this project. I had already obtained
a coupe of 6 foot anchors from KF4IAT a while back and I picked up
another at the "Tractor Supply". Mike, N4HHA, was going to stop by
after his eye appointment on Tuesday, today, to show Linda and I
where to put the anchors, then he needed to get to another tower of
his and reduce the wind load.
Well, just let me
tell you, it might be mostly sand around here but those anchors were
sure a chore to get that far into the ground. Larry, WA3PGL, offered
assistance for the project, as did G4HFG, Graham, the Old Ham from
Oldham, however his proximity to the project was a little off maybe
like 4,200 miles or so. He was with us in spirit. Keeping up with
the details via Echolink. Larry arrived just in time to help us get
the "Bear" to the south in into the ground. The 3 Anchor was even a
bit tougher until we moved it about a foot and it just screwed in so
easily. Go figure! Mike made it back and climbed the tower with the
cables and we got them prepped for the installation with the
turnbuckles.
Linda and I could
not have done it without the help of our friends but then again that
is what part of this hobby is about. Hopefully the tower will stay
where it is suppose too and keep the repeater and the internet
active. The Generator is ready to go in case of any black outs.
Maybe instead of
the planned 20 foot increase this tower will go up another 20
besides. That would get me to the height I really would like. With
this first set of Guys in place, the height increase should happen
in the weeks ahead.
73
de K4SLB
Here are a few photos
of the installation.
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