Fernebo Bloggen

The lower 40 meter yagi was tilted in the storm during Christmas. It is now back to operating position and ready for some pile-ups.

More antennas installed at SM5EPO.  FB-33 Tribander for 10-15-20 meters up 25 meters above the ground. Also a 80m dipole was installed @ 22m.

Congratulations to PeO SM5EPO, that has now retired and now work full-time at the SM5EPO and SK3W Radio stations.

SM5EPO can be found here:
http://www.voacap.com/skimmer/?dx=sm5epo&band=

Some antenna work in the darkness. 50MHz antenna at SM5EPO, around 27 meters above the ground.

The last antennas was repaired in the Ericsson Tower today. 5 element for 15 meters @26m. The tower now have 3 element 40m in the top, 4/4 element for 20 meters (19/37m) and 5 el @26m. The indication for the top rotator was also installed.

Unfortunately the new tower light was broken yesterday.

Also, we have started to build the operation positions. Got lots of help from Johan SA3BIB and Anders SM3XIK. First operator SM5AJV/SE5E arrived in the evening!

When to plan vacation in Sweden? July is a good choice, but last week of November is also a must. Preparations for CQWW CW!

This weekend we lifted the upper 4 element 20m yagi in the USA Stack. We also connected the power to the rotator for the 40 m yagi and power to the tower light.

On Sunday night in the rain and darkness I connected the new 80m phase box. It seams to be working fine, but still have to test with high power.

Plenty of work still to do on the list before the contest. I expect the hired guns to show up on Friday, 15 minutes before the contest, and open their boxes with the golden Benchers…

Today Anders XIK and Peo EPO lifted up the driven element.

Today SM3XIK Anderas and I worked at the station. The driven element was cut, and prepared for lifting. The 4 element 20 meter yagi on the ground, was was adjusted and some rope was put inside the 12mm tips of the elements. At night we made some electrical work in the new work shop.

Tomorrow we we continue to lift cables and the driven element.

… the Core Team at SK3W were making the last heavy lift for the antenna season.

The rotor parts and 40m Yagi was lifted to top of the tower this weekend. Antennas was dissembled at the 34 meter level of the tower and then lifted piece by piece to the top. Then re-assembled and tilted to its final position on the mast. Three different ways on how to get the antenna to the top of the tower was considered.

• Use a tram-wire: No good wire available.
• Loosen the guy wires and use temporary guys: Never tested, risky?
• Lift the antenna in parts: Slow work, but MUCH faster if we have can have persons in the tower.

This was the third time I lifted a 40m Yagi in this way, and it was much easier with the help from Jonas SM5PHU. We had some wind in the end, but the antenna is very well balanced and went in position without arguing.

The ground crew was excellent this weekend, staffed by SM0MXO Hasse, SM0GNS Peder, SM5AJV Ingo, SM5EPO Peo and SM3XIK Anders. Special thanks to Jonas SM5PHU who for the first time could look down on the old the 60 m Jaaaaska tower.

Please see the photo gallery for more photos.

Last weekend the UPgraded Ericsson tower was finalized. The two last tower sections were lifted, together with the plate for the rotor. Lits of people on site, SA5BDS Patrik (with the camera), SM0MXO Hans, SM3HBV Bengt and (of course) EPO and XIK.

Today SM0MXO Hans, SA3BGM Tony, SM5EPO Peo and SM3XIK Anders lifted up another section of the Ericsson Tower. Tomorrow some guy wires…