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ZD8SIX on Ascension |
Saturday 4th November
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| The label originally put on the beacon by G3JVL in 1989 but found lying on the floor. | The antenna used by MIke, ZD8MB in cycle 22 |
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The beacon itself mounted on a wall next to six foot high water tank. The beacon power supply was covered in shrew's droppings to a depth of 1.5 cms. It took me about half an hour to clean up the beacon itself which was also in a sorry state. It is located next to a large tank of water and there were many holes for rodents to come in and out of the building when there is bad weather. |
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| A close-up of G3JVL's controller. |
The beacon antenna mast showing how the bolts holding the top bracket to the wall have rusted through. |
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It
was not possible to lift the antenna vertical because of the strong winds, so I
made a temporary support from a piece of wire and some wood. I hope this will hold until the UKSMG can
ship down a new antenna from the UK. |
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The ZD8VHF Story continues...
It was a great pleasure to a
story nearly reaching it completion. You all probably
read about Chris, G3WOS's trip to Ascension in November 2000 and the sad
state
of the ZD8VHF beacon. Well, we are pleased to say that Mike, G3SED
from Nevada Communications donated
a CushCraft vertical to replace
the damaged antenna at the top of Green Mountain. Thanks Mike! The
above photo shows Mike presenting the antenna to Johnny,ZD8KW. We will
soon be showing a photograph of the new beacon antenna in situ soon we hope.
After a lot of work by Johnny,
ZD8KW and
Lenny, ZD8LJD the new beacon antenna is working
as of April 16th 2001! The end of a long saga! Thanks guys
Photo: G3ZYY
