After only five months of service, the brand-new 146.940 antenna is defective... AGAIN.  Kevin, W4KEV, took some close-up pictures of the antenna, which indicate 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.   You can check out the photos, and get more information about the status of the 146.940 machine on the 146.940 PAGE of this web site.  (Use the button to the left, to go there!)

     Meanwhile.....

    On another front...  I’m sure many of you know that I have been struggling with 146.730 machine and the site where it is located.  As a bit of background: I purchased the repeater from Sam (WB4HAP)’s widow, Debbie, and  after rebuilding it around a GE Mastr II unit, I took it back to its long-time home on English Mountain.  However, its performance has not been great.  The antenna was installed only just above the 10 or 15 foot level on the tower, as that was the only space available. 
     Now to the present: I have been working with the tower owner (I rent space on the tower) and he has graciously allowed me to relocate the repeater antenna to the 130 foot level on the tower! I have purchased a new Decibel Products DB-222 antenna for .73, and I will be installing 7/8 inch heliax to connect it back to the repeater.  This should significantly improve the '730 Machine's footprint over East Tennessee. I will let everyone know when work is completed. !
 
 

...Speaking of which....  Those of you who subscribe to the Southeastern Repeater Journal, might want to take a closer look at the November 2008 edition of the Journal.  There are a few photos on the cover that might look VERY Familiar....