Fort Lancaster
June 2019
For over a year we have mourned the loss of our link from Ft Lancaster to Sonora. Photos show a damaged driven element on the Sinclair 307 10 dBd Yagi link antenna which is mounted at 250 feet above ground. We theorize this was due to ice damage.
Several Intertie members drove from Austin, San Antonio and Fort Stockton. After an overnight stay with a replacement Sinclair 307-2 dual Yagi replacement in hand, efforts to replace the damaged unit would have been unsuccessful for lack of an appropriate tower mount.
After separating individual components the replacement was finally installed. This resulted in a SWR from 3:1 on the original damaged unit to a 1.13:1 SWR.
The link to Sonora proved uncooperative due to apparent mains power loss. Although a disappointment for the crew in Ft. Lancaster and making a full link check impossible, we will ensure all is well when power is restored in Sonora. Our sincerest thanks is due to all who completed these repairs to our Ft Lancaster site.
Closeup of 307 de WA5LNL
Photo from ground de KD5HQL or KG5PGH
Photo from tower de W3DH
Photo of W3DH climbing: KG5PGH