GB3JB Up-date 29th April 2013

Hi All,

Andover Boot Sale.

Thanks to the Andover Club for allowing me to set up a pitch, free of charge.  Very much appreciated.

Thanks also to Dave, G0AYD, for his very kind donation of items, that were sold at Boot Sale.  His bits, along with a couple of bits and pieces of mine, enabled me to generate £23.40p for GB3JB funds.

Thanks also to Colin G4SXR and Daphne 2E1CMZ, for their donation of £5 for GB3JB funds.

Thanks to Jon G0IUE, for donating a coax lead, for sale.  However, since this was constructed of RG-214 double screened coax and with good quality "N" connectors, with Jons' approval, it has be put into the GB3JB spares box.

I was hoping that perhaps more individuals would have supported JB, by donating items, or allowing us to sell items on their behalf, for a small commission, but alas, no. 

As many of you will be aware, I am currently selling-off Clem G3UGRs' kit.  Mostly via eBay, but I was also able to sell a few items at Andover, raising over £35 for the charities.

Regarding the Tower.

Thanks to Chris, G6WHI, we will hopefully see the construction of the base for the tower being started, this week.

Between Chris and myself, we have provided Radio Structures with all the information they require to build the base.  This is costing around £300, delivered.

However, our hole, now needs to be cleared of the slippage which has reduced it in size somewhat, over the intervening months since the tower was obtained and the hole dug, and it now also needs to be increased in size from it's current 1m cube, to a 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m cube, i.e. 3.375 cubic metres.

I am hoping that we will see the base being delivered to the site within the next couple of weeks.  So, if anyone is feeling suitable energetic, your services would be much appreciated in sorting the hole.

I would like to think that we can have the base installed / concreted in, by the bank holiday at the end of May.  If this can be achieved, then with allowing the concrete the nominal 28 days to set properly, we could have GB3JB back on at the end of June.

When it comes to the actual installation of the tower.  Thanks to Stuart M6MFW, we have secured the services of a 15m "cherry picker" and a 15m self-erecting "PA tower", a "3PH 16A generator", and a "7.5 ton truck", to enable the the tower to be erected and installed on it's base and the antenna system, etc., to be installed.

I really do hope that the users of GB3JB, appreciate all the efforts and commitment that others are making to enable the repeater to be put back on air, and I also hope that they will show their appreciation by not just using it, when it's back on, but also by financially supporting it.

With this latter point in mind.  I've been having a brief look around on the web, and 3.375 cubic meters of concrete, suitable for a tower base, seems to come out at around £430.

Also, as previously, advised, we have a single Solar Panel.  The replacement for the stolen unit.  However, to successfully enable the system to keep running, from just Solar power, we need another panel.  The cost of a second panel, of the same type as the existing panel, is around £230.

So if any of you feel so inclined, any donations would be VERY much appreciated.

The cost of the new base and associated installation expenses, will leave the kitty, EMPTY, to say the least ..........., as the finances currently stand.

It should also be considered that in addition to the above expenditure, there will be a need to install anti-climbing devices on the tower, to deter any idiots, either sober or otherwise, from attempting to climb up it.

Regarding the Turbine.

Huw M0WDX, has basically offered to take a look at the beast, and to fit an up rated bearing, if that is at all possible and if it is not damaged in any other respects and subject to the up rated bearing fitting within the physical constraints of the enclosure.

Although the new tower base is being constructed with the possibility of the Turbine being re-installed, and therefore the additional wind loading this will add, it is by no means certain that the turbine can be salvaged at this time.  It all depends on what Huw finds when he fully strips it down.

Hence the need for the 2nd Solar panel.

 

Insurance.

The RSGB public liability insurance is now due for renewal, and this will be dealt with in the next couple of days.

Good job we made some money at the Boot Sale.

 

Cheers & 73's

Dave, G3ZXX.

P.S.:

To those who I have previously provided with my HOME telephone number, please note:

Our home phone number will be changing on either the 1st or 2nd May.

At the moment I do not know what the new number will be.

I'll advise as soon as it is known.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel ... Possibly .....

Hi All,

As far as the group and I personally, are concerned, I guess you could say that we have been going through quite a DARK patch, what with all the problems at the site, and the recent loss of two of GB3JB's biggest supporters, Peter G3BPM, and Clem G3UGR.

To be perfectly honest I found the loss of these two wonderful characters, to be devastating.

However, things move on and you will be aware that I have, with the blessing of his Sister, been selling off Clems' kit.

This is now being done via eBay.  The link will take you directly to my eBay selling list.  Apart from all the Brownie / Guiding stuff, you will find Clems' bits.

I suggest that you check the listings in the Mobile Phones & Communication, Computers/Tablets & Networking, and Business, Office & Industrial categories, which you will find in the menu to the left of the actual listings.

You will note that, in all cases, all the money raised from the sale of the item, after the deduction of Ebay & PayPal fees, is going to charity.

The money raised will be divided equally between: Cancer Research UK, Cats Protection and Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

So far this has raised almost £500 for each of the charities, with plenty more kit to go.

I am gradually pulling things together regarding GB3JB, as well.

With the assistance of Chris, G6WHI, we have arranged the construction of a NEW base for the tower.

This will be made for us, by Radio Structures, and will be compliant with the requirements for our Rasmusen Tower.  They will also be providing the specifications for the hole and concrete.

I hope to be able to report that the construction will soon be underway.I'll then be looking for volunteers, to assist with the enlargement of the existing 1m x 1m x 1m hole.  To take the new base.

I would like to think that we could be installing the tower, by the early bank holiday in May.  So keep your diaries free, for around that time.

With regard to power on the site.

The turbine is effectively dead !  I have no intention of paying to have the bearing replaced, yet again.

So what funds are left after the installation of the Tower, and a set-aside for this coming years, increased site rent, will be put towards, a second solar panel, to support the replacement that was obtained, after the first one was stolen.

However, if there is some kind individual out there, who has the time and effort available, and would like to strip the turbine down and repair it, for us.  I would not decline their kind and generous offer.

You will note that I have added a new page to the website - ANDOVER BOOT SALE.

This is taking place on the 28th April 2013.  Take a look at the page for all the relevant information.

GB3JB, will be having a pitch / stand at the event, so why not come along, support the Andover Club, and of course GB3JB.

I would be very interested to hear from anyone who can help me with running the GB3JB, pitch / stand.

As well as anyone who has surplus kit (NOT JUNK), that they would like to offer for sale, via our pitch / stand.  Repeater funds taking a small fee.  Details available on request.

OK, that's it for now.

I hope you all had a nice Easter.

Cheers & 73'sDave, G3ZXX.