BEECN SW Portland Repeater: Difference between revisions
From Portland NET Wiki
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# '''What's over our heads?''' The mast should be deployed in an open field, away from trees, and completely clear of power lines.<mark> '''CAUTION:''' '''assume all powerlines are energized, even after an earthquake. If the mast touches a power line, repeater operators will be severely injured or killed! Never push the mast upwards if you cannot see where it is going!'''</mark> | # '''What's over our heads?''' The mast should be deployed in an open field, away from trees, and completely clear of power lines.<mark> '''CAUTION:''' '''assume all powerlines are energized, even after an earthquake. If the mast touches a power line, repeater operators will be severely injured or killed! Never push the mast upwards if you cannot see where it is going!'''</mark> | ||
# '''Is the mast appropriately secured?''' The mast kit comes with stakes for the feet and [[wikipedia:Guy-wire|guy wires]]. Use them 100% of the time. This equipment helps keep the mast secure and steady. | # '''Is the mast appropriately secured?''' The mast kit comes with stakes for the feet and [[wikipedia:Guy-wire|guy wires]]. Use them 100% of the time. This equipment helps keep the mast secure and steady. | ||
=== Set up the power supply === | |||
=== Set up the mast === | |||
# Find a spot of level ground to plant the mast. Note that it will need to be within 20 feet of the rest of the repeater equipment. | |||
# Two volunteers will assemble the mast; the third acts as safety. | |||
# Open the long black duffel bag on rollers and find the antenna. | |||
# The antenna should already be affixed to a segment of mast. This is the segment that will be at the top of the mast. | |||
# Take out the tripod base and position it. Ensure that there is not a leg pointing at the repeater (because of cables and wires). | |||
# Fully extend the legs on the tripod out. | |||
# Ensure that the leg braces near the top of the legs are fully depressed. | |||
# Level the tripod with the two bubble levels located at the top of the mast base. | |||
# Stake down the bottom of the mast using the blue stakes. | |||
# One person should hold the mast segment with the antenna above the tripod. Another person takes the first segment of mast and slides it up through the center of the tripod, so that it connects and locks into the antenna segment. | |||
# Continue loading in mast segments from the bottom through the tripod to raise the mast until the desired height is reached (unless there is some particular reason to do different, volunteers should assemble with all mast segments). Do not place hands where the segments meet in order to avoid a nasty pinch. | |||
# The last mast segment should be the base segment; it has a foot similar to the feet of the tripod. | |||
# GUY WIRES ?? | |||
# Put the silver guy wire stakes about 15 feet out. They need to be at an angle and in deep. | |||
# Walk the guy wires out to the stakes to ensure they do not tangle as the antenna is raised. Do not tighten the guy wires into the stakes until antenna is all the way up. | |||
# Tighten guy wires. Do not over tighten guy wires, as this will cause the antenna to pull sideways. | |||
# Attach caution/damage tape to the guy wires to avoid tripping hazards. | |||
# Attach the coaxial cable dangling down from the antenna to the repeater. | |||
== Repeater Kit Specifications == | == Repeater Kit Specifications == | ||
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=== Mast: BlueSky Mast AL2 Standard Series === | === Mast: BlueSky Mast AL2 Standard Series === | ||
In addition to the mast sections, the mast kit includes a tripod with a compass and levels, as well as a stake kit and primary guying to keep the mast secured to the ground. | Fully assembled, the mast is approximately 30 ft. In addition to the mast sections, the mast kit includes a tripod with a compass and levels, as well as a stake kit and primary guying to keep the mast secured to the ground. | ||
The mast kit and antenna are stowed in a 54" x 14" x 14" wheeled carry bag for easy transport. One person can carry it with difficulty; better to have two. | The mast kit and antenna are stowed in a 54" x 14" x 14" wheeled carry bag for easy transport. One person can carry it with difficulty; better to have two. | ||
