Update - Current Situation ...

Hi All,

If you are having withdraw symptoms, from JB, I'm very sorry.  However, things are moving forward.

There has been much discussion (exchange of e-mails, re ideas, etc.,) amongst the technical team, and Andy, G0JLX, has been putting in lots of time and effort, in coming up with the design for a NEW, as it was described to me, "solid state" dump load.  I believe that this is now starting to take on some form of physical as well as theoretical, shape.

But, don't get too excited, there is still significant work to be done in this area, and the new system will of course need rigorous testing, before installation.  As Andy put it, "I hope to be able to design and build a very robust solution that will provide JB with a really first class solution for the long term."

With regard to the batteries and the antenna/mast.  This is all in hand.  Replacements are available.

Thank you to all who have kindly offered / provided support, both in terms of replacement hardware and financially.  It is very much appreciated.

Thanks to all those of you who have contacted us, with suggestions and offers of support.  As far as I am aware, either I or Jan have responded directly to you.

We'll attempt to keep you all up to date with developments, as best we can.

Cheers & 73

Dave, G3ZXX  -  GB3JB Team

GB3JB Off Air ...

Hi All,

Well the very strong winds finally took their toll on the installation.

I had a phone call from Barry, 2E0ZVR, at about 1:30 pm today, telling me that the mast was at 45 degrees or so, and that a couple of the guys had snapped.

Paul, (my son) and I headed to the site to see what could be done.

Nothing useful, in terms of keeping it on the air, I afraid.

GB3JB was switched off at approx., 2:00 pm local time today, Thursday 5th January 2011.

The mast has a bend of about 45 degrees at the point where the two sections are joined.

The two guys had snapped.  They were middle guys, and had snapped about two thirds of the way up their length.

Neither of these two points are really very major and can be easily remedied, when the WX settles down.

However, the antenna also has a bend of about 30 to 40 degrees off vertical, just above the 1st join.  This will need some detailed investigation.

More importantly, the replacement DUMP LOAD (installed last year) has failed - burnt itself out, just like the previous one.

I am not sure what state the batteries are in either.  The volts across the nominal 24 volt rail were up at 32 volts.

The batteries themselves had obviously been gassing as there was quite a noticeable smell and obvious bulges in the sides of them.  They were also uncomfortably hot to touch, in places.

The current situation at the site is:

1.  Repeater OFF - until further notice.

2.  Possible need for replacement antenna.

3.  Antenna and masting down, now secure inside the barn.

4.  Battery system isolated.

5.  Probable need to replace battery system.

6.  Turbine removed, as no way of stopping it from turning at the time of the visit, and no dump load to connect it to.


I would suggest that it could well be some time before JB is back on air.

I perceive that our technical team will need to get their collective heads around the obviously ongoing problem of a dump load.  As the proprietor unit sold with the Turbine is obviously not up to the task.


Sorry folks ....


As soon as I / we have more to report we'll let you know.


Cheers & 73

Dave, G3ZXX  -  GB3JB Team