The original repeater that had been on the air since the 80's went dark a while ago after years and years of hostile weather caused the antenna mounts to fail. This resulted in the antenna crashing down (including the mounts) from 300+ feet up. Needless to say, the original stationmaster didn't fair too well.

I had been planning on getting the site back on the air for quite a while, but ended up - for lack of a better excuse - just dragging my feet and not getting it done. In the fall of 2024 I was able to acquire a new antenna and a very nice repeater that would be a fantastic replacement system. The Icom served us all very well. In fact, it still works fine, but it was time for an upgrade. I was able to obtain another S-Com 7K controller and the interfacing to the new repeater began. Oh, the new repeater? A Motorola MTR2000! Not a new radio by any means, but they are built like a tank and just work! Also, I didn't have to try and find another set of crystals - something the Icom used.

I made plans with a tower crew out of Vermont to hang the new antenna, and on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, that was accomplished. I should also mention that when the original antenna came crashing down, I didn't know what had happened to the 7/8 heliax on the top end. Did the weight of the antenna damage the 7/8? Did the heliax get folded over and need a new connector at the top? Was it full of water now? All kinds of unknowns. When I inspected the failed antenna, I discovered that there were remnants of an "N" connector still connected to the antenna. This gave me hope that the pigtail failed, but saved the heliax, which is exactly what happened. The 7/8 is as good as new! The new antenna is the one on the right, just above that corner reflector.

Tuesday, May 10, 2025 5:28 PM