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Posts published in September 2016

Tower Installed

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/27/2016

Our trusty tower team consisting of John, KI4UIP; Donn, N4KII and Dave KR4U were at it again. Today (9/27) the tower tilt mechanism was mated with the telescoping tower. The tower mounts to the base with two large bolts that also serve as hinges when the tower goes from horizontal to vertical or vice versa. Once the third leg is bolted to the base, the tower can then be extended to a raised height of approximately 54 feet.

Final installation details include adding tower grounding, installing the rotor, mast, and … Click for more

Tower Tilt Mechanism Installed

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/20/2016

Today (9/20) the crew of Dave, KR4U; Donn, N4KII; and John KI4UIP installed the tower tilt assembly on the concrete base. Notice the ancient Egyptian influence used in keeping the heavy mechanism above the threaded rod so as not to bend the rods. Now we get to prepare the tower while the concrete base continues to cure.

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John and Donn prepare to install tilt mechanism
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Tilt mechanism lowered onto threaded rod
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Tilt mechanism installed on base

 

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Tilt mechanism installed on base
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Finished installation of tilt mechanism on base
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Tilt
… Click for more

Weak Signal On-Air Demonstration

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/16/2016

Join us at the Friday, Oct 7th SPARC meeting where Ed, NZ1Q will demonstrate digital modes JT65 and JT9. This demonstration will be conducted live on the HF bands.

The “JT” in JT65 is Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT. Joe is the Nobel Prize winning physicist who wrote the software that makes amateur weak signal communication possible. This software is available at no cost to amateurs who would like to explore the world of weak signal communications. Even when the bands are close there are stations on using the JT … Click for more

Tower Installation Update

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/13/2016

Today (9/13) we poured concrete. Four yards (16,000 lbs.) of mud, 200 pounds of re-bar, followed by

by eight ¾” threaded rods. Everything went as planned. As we wait for the concrete to harden, we can now come up with a plan to relocate the log periodic antenna that is currently atop the Glen Martin tower that is mounted on the shipping containers.

tower-pour1
Truck setting up to pour
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The pour begins
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The pour continues
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Topping off the pour

 

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Inserting threaded rods

 

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Threaded rods bolted to tower template and
… Click for more

Tower Installation Progress

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/12/2016

Our tower foundation has been dug, the re-bar cage has been installed, and inspected. We are ready to pour concrete. A few photos below show our progress. We will need to wait awhile while the concrete hardens. Then we get to install the tower base, the tower itself, and finally transplant our LP antenna. Thanks to all that contributed to this effort.

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Finishing the hole
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Final touches ready
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Ready for the pour

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Help Support SPARC at Science Fest

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/06/2016

SPARC will again be participating in the St. Petersburg Science Festival. This event is designed to

Not a bad place to spend a Saturday...
Last years demonstration

 

provide children hands-on access to the wide world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).

If you are interested in being part of SPARC’s ham radio demonstration team, please contact Bob, N2ESP. Additional details on the festival can be found by clicking here.

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