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COMMENT
I need to apologize to Bev and Chuck for my poor handling of their ad in last month Feedback. A better copy of the ad appears later in this issue. Also, I did the common mistake of accepting an article from the net as being correct. The interesting but false article on the original signers of the Declaration of Independence really belongs into story land. It's one of those "feel good" things accepted without verification.
As I write this issue, I received a note from Dave Smith, KC8COT, announcing his retirement from the E.C. position he has held for the last several years. Dave has worked hard at a job that has occupied far too much of his time and effort. Dave, you've done a good job and deserve a break!
In an adjoining column there is an explanation of the problems that hit our repeater system as a result of a lightening hit. Thanks Don for getting the system back into a functional operation.
The club members seemed enjoy the recent fox hunt training exercise that the Branch County club managed for us and as a result a club fox hunt is planned for September. Keep tuned for details
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ZAPT
I expect all remember the thunderstorms that passed through town, two on July 22 and one July 23. The late storm on the 22nd appears to have allowed a bolt of lightning to find a path to ground via the antenna tower used by the W8DF facilities. Damage was significant and took all three repeaters, the Digigate and Echolink out of service. Note the following damage report.
146.66 Repeater:
Receiver pre-amp
Integrated circuit on audio & squelch board
Seven integrated circuits and two resistors on CAT300
controller
224.24 Repeater:
One transistor in repeater
One integrated circuit on CAT300 controller
443.95 Repeater:
No damage, but inoperable as it was linked and con
trolled by 224.24 controller
APRS Digigate and Echolink:
Destroyed Power Amp module on transceiver
Evaporated phone line DSL filter
The 224.24 and 443.95 repeaters were quick repairs and returned to service July 24. A loaner transceiver was placed in service on July 24 also. The DSL filter was bypassed which restored Echolink and the Digigate to service.
The 443.95 controller was "loaned" to 146.66 repeater and temporary fixes were made to return the 146.66 repeater to use late on July 26. Ongoing efforts produced final repairs returning the repeater to normal operation on August 3. Complete re-programming of the CAT300 controller was necessary. Operation of 443.95 was not affected as it remains linked to 224.24.
Don-W8RVT
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