On 15 Apr 98, Dick Green <dick.green@valley.net> wrote:
> My friend unplugs the coax at the antenna, attaches (via a homemade
> SO239-to-AC-outlet-box adapter) a temperature-regulated soldering station
> with a big tip, returns to the shack and attaches the other end of the coax
> to a 110VAC outlet (via a homemade two-prong-plug-to-SO239 adapter), returns
> to the antenna, solders away, turns off the iron, returns to the shack,
> unplugs the coax from the AC, returns to the antenna, disconnects the
> soldering iron, and reattaches the coax. Only three trips up and down the
> tower! This can be reduced to one trip by utilizing a friend in the shack
> and a pair of handy-talkies, but you really have to trust that your friend
> will do exactly what you tell him/her (it could be too tempting for a
> spouse, especially if you carry life insurance ;-)
>
> I did this once in desperation during a contest (raining, in the dark) when
> critters chewed through the coax where it attached to my lone ground-mounted
> vertical 250 feet from the house. You have to be EXTREMELY careful in
> fabricating your adapters not to connect the hot side of the AC to the
> ground portion of the SO239 connectors (use a non-reversible two-pronged AC
> plug), and, just in case, NEVER TOUCH THE CONNECTORS WHEN THE SETUP IS
> PLUGGED IN. ALSO NOTE THAT THERE IS NO GROUND SAFETY WIRE IN THIS SETUP.
>
> I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT ANYONE TRY THIS BECAUSE IT IS CLEARLY NOT SAFE AND
> NOT COMPLIANT WITH ANY CODE STANDARDS AND I DON'T WANT TO GET SUED. I'M
> DISCLAIMING ALL RESPONSIBILITY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE STUPID ENOUGH TO TRY THIS.
>
> I just thought you might like to know how it has been done by foolish
> people.
>
> 73, Dick, WC1M
Yes, that is nuts!
I've never had the need to solder up there, but after foolishly
thinking a battery powered drill could drill a 1/4 inch hole thru a
1/4 wall, hi carbon steel mast, I bought 2 - 100 ft extension cords
(the orange, 3 cond ones made for outdoors) and brought it up the
tower with me, tied to my belt. Should work for a heavy duty
soldering gun too, on a non-windy day.
GL/Barry
--
Barry Kutner, W2UP Internet: w2up@itw.com
Newtown, PA FRC alternate: barry@w2up.wells.com
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search
|