Déjà vu all over again…
Well folks, I have had to write several “blog” entries that I never thought I would have to do so. This is one of them.
After only five months of service, the 146.94 antenna is defective, AGAIN. Kevin, W4KEV, took some close-up pictures of the antenna, and I hope to post those pictures on the website soon. The two bottom elements are visibly broken. This is the cause of the “static” or arcing noise that you hear. I know this is hard for some to understand when their receiver is showing .94 at full strength, but it is the repeater receiver that is experiencing the problem.
So now what? I have contacted the antenna manufacturer and expressed my displeasure of only 5 month’s service for a $1400 antenna (not counting the $350 for installation). I have had some response from them, but at this point they do not seem to be interested in a warranty remedy. I am continuing to correspond with them, but I’m not hopeful that they will replace the antenna. Even if they do, I’m not sure that I will re-install it, given the poor time of service.
Where does that leave the .94 repeater? I will pursue replacing the antenna once again. I am trying to decide between a Decibel Products DB-224 (which is what the last .94 antenna was for 11 years) or a RFS Stationmaster Antenna, which is what .47 presently has. Both antennas have their advantages and disadvantages. Even though I have been involved in land mobile radio and amateur repeaters for over 30 years, I am still weighing the “pros” and “cons” of each style of antenna.
Here’s what I will NOT be doing: Actively asking for financial help for this project. Granted, this won’t be an inexpensive adventure. The estimates that I have for the kinds of antennae I am considering vary from $700 to $1000. However, area hams were more than kind enough to generously support the last purchase. I DO NOT want them to feel like I have my hand out once again.
So I’ll be saving my shekels. I have also received a used antenna, but it appears to be a 150 MHz land mobile antenna, as opposed to one made to resonate in the 146 MHz amateur radio band. This may not seem like much of a difference, but it will really be noticeable when one tries to use it in duplex (repeater) service. I am also looking to possibly rebuild the old .94 antenna that was removed in August. It was moved to the site as a used antenna, and it lasted 11 years after I installed it there. That’s a little better than the five months that the new one lasted. I may take one of these antennae and install is as a “spare” repeater antenna at the site. It will be much lower, but it will give us an alternative when there is another antenna issue or question.
I sincerely apologize to everyone that this problem has happened once again. I hope to get a new antenna delivered and installed shortly.
Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)
Chief Engineer
Citadel Broadcasting of
WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM
Chief Engineer
Vol Radio Network
OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave message, I will be paged)
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