Question: What did you use to refurbish the Diamond X50 Antenna?

 The above question refer. The items that I used to refurbish the Diamond X50 is listed below. 

View: The verdict is out regarding the Diamond X50 UHF/VHF Antenna!

Hardware / Liquids / Grease etc:

1.  Allen Keys to loosen grub screw

2.  10 Spanner

3.  Star Screw Driver

4.  Steel Brush

5.  180, 250, 500 Grid Water-based Sand Paper 

6.  Steel Wool

7.  Methylated Spirits

8.  Tectyl (Clear) Rust Preventive

9.  Penetrox.    Alternative - Copper Slip Grease

10.  Old Rag / Cloth

Once you have all the "ingredients" together it is time to partly dismantle all he aluminum parts to the state the antenna was shipped in its original plastic bag.  No need to remove the inner parts which is housed in the fiberglass housing.  I start with the steel brush to remove all of the loose corrosion.  Then I use the water based sand paper with water to remove all white rust corrosion on all the parts.  Once that is done I use the steel wool and the methylated spirits to further clean and polish the aluminum parts.  You need elbow grease for this one.  Maybe there are other options but I found that the elbow grease method works the best.

Once every part has been cleaned I use copper slip grease for all the bolts, nuts, radial threats. Penetrox preferred but not available locally in my area.  Put the antenna together and then spray all the metal parts  with Tectyl (Clear) Rust Preventive once you installed the antenna on the mounting mast.  You now have a refurbished Diamond X50 Antenna ready for action!!

Images:  Click on images for larger view.

The verdict is out regarding the Diamond X50 UHF/VHF Antenna!

Now what does the title of this topic relate to?   A few weeks ago I noticed that one of my Diamond X50 UHF/VHF Antennas was completely "deaf".  I could not receive the 145.750 Mhz Aasvoelkop Repeater which is situated just outside of Albertinia a distance of about 35 km from my QTH.  In the past I could hear this repeater clearly with this specific X50 antenna, but with some rain on the signal.   The other Diamond X50 is connected to the GRHub Network link radio and performs as it should.  This antenna is 12 meters up in the air while the "deaf" antenna is two meters above my roof making the total height of this antenna above ground, 6 meters. The GRHub X50 was apart from the factory sealing also coated with  Tectyl Glashelder Klar a transparent rust preventive clear spray. (Been successfully using this for years to seal and coat my antennas against natures elements) The "deaf" antenna was not and was installed  with no protection at all.  The day before I decided to take the "deaf" antenna down I did a quick test.  You guessed correctly, no RX from the 145.750 Mhz repeater at all.  A further puzzling factor was that the SWR reading was 1.2:1 but would drop to 1:1 .  Power output was in spec with the radio's RF power output.  Mind boggling?  This antenna was now really "deaf" and needs to be looked at.

Once the antenna was on the ground I was quite surprised to see that natures elements at the sea was really minimal despite the fact that the antenna was up in the air for 2 years 3 months.  Hereunder a few images of the antenna before refurbishing:  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

I opened the antenna to see if the high voltage capacitor was not fried.  The capacitor was fine and there were no dry joints.  No corrosion or any signs of dampness/water penetration could be seen or found.  The inside of the antenna was in great shape.  What I did find was the the Allen Key Grub Screw was loose and did not make contact with the antenna connector.  I fitted all the insides and tighten the grub screw firmly.  I installed all the necessary parts and affix the antenna to my portable mast.  Here under a few images of the antenna under testing: (Click on images for larger view.)

Testing with the above equipment is not ideal but that is all I have.  The tests reveal that the antenna is now working as it should.  I could trigger and receive the 145.750 Mhz repeater with the antenna just above the Parrot cages, which was far lower than before.  The Diamond X50 Antenna was no longer "deaf".

The images underneath reflect the antenna after refurbishing:  (Click on images for larger view.)

The Verdict:

I could not find anything wrong with the antenna nor the coaxial cable.  The only issue that I found was that the Grub Screw that keeps the antenna connector affixed to the 3 x  radial connector was loose and therefor their was no continuity between the radiating element and the "ground plane" connector of the antenna.  Windy conditions would either result in a good or bad contact which might not have been the case when I used the deaf antenna. Whether the loose grub screw  resulted in the deafness of the antenna is the only conclusion that I could come to.   RF is a wonderful and mysterious element that could result in many good or bad issues.

A bit of sound advice that might be of assistance to other Diamond users:

• When you assemble the antenna ensure that all bolts, nuts and grub screws are tighten properly. Never assume like I did that the grub screw was tighten at the manufacturing plant.
  
• I would suggest you use additional sealant to protect the antenna from natures elements.
•  Never use a sealant or grease that contain other metal elements like copper slip crease etc.  Metal elements like copper, aluminum, stainless steal inter act with each other and hasten metal erosion and fatigue.
  
• Use a bit of marine grease on all bolts and nuts that screws into parts.  Not on outer parts as the Tectyl will not adhere to the items. This will prevent nuts and bolts getting stuck due to corrosion.
  
• I suggest that you service (refurbish) this and other antennas at least once every two years
• Seal the PL259 that screws into the antenna with self amalgamating tape.
• Ensure that you have the correct type of Diamond Antenna for the area you live in.  If you live in the "Cape of Storms" area I would not recommend large "oversized" antennas as the wind will definitely rearrange the antenna for you, resulting in damage. loss etc.
  

Finally: 

One is never to old to learn about antennas.  Many of us can oversee a small aspect that will result in the antenna not working as it should.  Be very precise and meticulous when mounting and installing antennas and you will have many years of pleasure from your antennas.  Remember maintenance is very important.  Nothing last and works forever but you will extend the life of an antenna by thoroughly maintaining it.  Enjoy!!

From the Desk: "What is lately happening on the GRHub- and ZS Link Network?"

It has been a while since an update was posted on activities on the ZS-Link- and  GRHub Network.  The network is alive and well thanks to radio amateurs who use the network and keep on adding nodes/repeaters/links to the existing network.  I have been asked why use the name ZS-Link Network?  It is actually very simple.  If I use the name "ZS1I GRHub Network" it would reflect on me as a one man setup/station which is not correct. There are many other roll players that ensure that the network is operational and being extended to other areas of the country and even overseas.  I would like to thank all those radio amateurs that keep the network maintained and running even during loadshedding periods.  Your unselfish participation in maintaining nodes, repeaters, links etc. is highly appreciated.  Remember you do it for Amateur Radio, the best hobby in the world!!

Here is a list of activities and add-ons to the GRHub Network:

1.   ZS1ERZ AllStar Node  now linked to the GRHub Network: We welcome the ZS1ERZ 600741 AllStar Node of Eden Radio Club in George.  The Node is linked to and RF link radio (145.200 Mhz) and is maintained by Corne ZS1COR from George.   

Further particulars of the :

Node Info:  ZS1ERZ 145.200 Mhz  George

Node Number:  600741

RF Frequency:145.200 Mhz

Mode Analogue: FM

Coverage: George,  Mossel Bay, Hartenbos, Sedgefield, Knysna, Buffelsbaai, Wilderness

Welcome to ZS1ERZ + Corne and all the other George radio amateurs to the ZS Link Network and we are looking forward to hear activity coming from this AllStar Node on the network.

2.   ZS1HEB  AllStar Node linked from time to time to the GRHub Network: We welcome the ZS1HEB 60077 AllStar Node in George.  The Node is  maintained by Eben ZS1HEB from George.   

Further particulars of the :

Node Info:  ZS1HEB  George

Node Number:  60077

RF Frequency: Currently not connected

Mode Analogue: NA

Coverage: Internet Based

Welcome to ZS1HEB Eben and all the other George radio amateurs to the ZS Link Network and we are looking forward to hear activity coming from this AllStar Node on the network.

3.   ZS1WLM  AllStar Hub Node now  linked to the GRHub Network: We welcome the ZS1WLM 599680 AllStar Hub Node in Saldanha.  The Node is  maintained by Wikus ZS1WLM from Saldanha.   

Further particulars of the :

Node Info:  ZS1WLM Saldanha

Node Number:  599680

RF Frequency: Currently not connected

Mode Analogue: NA

Coverage: Internet Based Hub

Welcome to ZS1WLM Wikus and all the other West Coast radio amateurs to the ZS Link Network and we are looking forward to hear activity coming from this AllStar Node on the network.

I am so glad to see that the AllStar Network in South Africa is  growing with several new allstar nodes making their appearance on the linked network.

4.  ZS1I DMR Bridge activity on the GRHub Network : 

An AllStar-Echolink-DMR Experimental Bridge is now active on the Garden Route Hub Network, Mossel Bay and also available to all the ZS-Link Network users. (To many to mention them all here.)  Now what is this all about?

It is quite simple.  When the Bridge is active it connects the following applications/nodes together which is forming  a "Bridge".  Simply put it allows one person to talk on Echolink and the conversation will be propagated to AllStar and DMR and vice versa.  

This bridge has been a useful addition the the GRHub Network and hopefully to the ZS Link Network.  It is now permanently linked to the network.  The ZS1I DMR Bridge is now the gateway to some who cannot afford to buy a digital radio, hotspot etc or might "want to get their feet wet first."  There are ways and means to use DMR and other digital radio modes without  a radio or hotspot.  I indicated before that you can use your analog VHF/UHF radio to work digital radio modes via the ZS1I DMR Bridge.  I am so grateful to those who made this possible by writing software and creating applications for this purpose.

5.  DroidStar quite popular in the Southern Cape:

There are some radio amateurs that does not have radios and equipment to use the digital radio modes.  On the other hand some might first want to play with DMR to see what it is all about and whether it is worth buying such equipment. Well you do not need to buy a digital radio to use the VHF/UHF digital radio modes.  DroidStar came to the rescue! I am grateful to report that DMR activity is daily on the increase in the Southern Cape and other parts of South Africa.

My article available HERE hopefully resulted in creating interest in this regard.  Further information was also made available on the Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group.  I would like to thank each and every person that provided help and information on this group to assist new users of VHF/UHF digital radio modes.  The Amateur Radio 101 Telegram Group really rocks!  Thank you to all those who post interesting information on this Group.

I would like to welcome the following radio amateurs to the VHF/UHF digital radio modes:

1.  Thys ZS1TBP

2.  Christie ZS4CGR

3.  Zayn ZS3VO

4.  Corne ZS1COR 

5.  Curtis ZS6CMO

Danie ZS1DL currently in the Franschoek Valley will also be moving to Danabaai in the not to distant future and will be joining the VHF/UHF digital radio modes group in the Southern Cape.

I also heard along the grapevine that there are others that are interesting in using the VHF/UHF digital radio modes.  We eagerly await to either hear you on the air or to assist you in getting started in VHF/UHF digital radio modes.  Give us a shout if you need any help.

 

In a previous posting HERE I indicated that Tuesday's will be DMR Radio Activity Day on the GRHub Network, Mossel Bay.  This is indeed still the case.  I would however like to encourage radio amateurs to join the weekly ZA DMR Net.  The ZS1I DMR Bridge is linked to the South Africa DMR Talk Group 655 for the weekly ZA DMR Net. This is a vibrant and friendly Net.  You can also learn more about DMR by joining this Net. Echolink users can connect to ZS1I-L, AllStar users to 49355 and DMR users can now use TG 655.  Analog stations are welcome to join the Net via the ZS1I GRHub network which is now connected to the ZS1I DMR Bridge.

A further plus is that I decided to permanently link the ZS1I GRHUB Network (Node 49355) to the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network. (Node 467650)  Now I hear moans and groans about joining Analog to Digital and all the problems it will cause to the ZS - Link Network.  Rest assure I will not intrude on any DMR Repeater or Network setup.  I have created my own private Talk Group (65511) on which all traffic will be relayed from Echolink / AllStar / DMR etc. 

 

Talk Group 65511 has been very active lately with traffic being relayed from DMR, Echolink, RF and AllStar.  Several local as well as overseas stations has been heard on this Talk Group.

6.  ZS1I GRHub Network

I am grateful to report that the GRHub Network functions very well despite Loadshedding and Internet Outages.  I added several automated services lately to enhance the network. I would also like to thank all those who use and connect to the ZS Link and GRHub Network.  A special word of thanks must go to all the repeater owners/custodians/clubs, RF link stations, node owners and individual network owners who forms the backbone of the ZS Link Network in South Africa. Let's not forget those who work behind the scenes to maintain and extend the ZS Link Network, Repeaters and Nodes. Without your dedication and participation this network would have collapsed long time ago. Activity on the ZS Link Network in South Africa is rife.  I thank you all!!

7.  ZS Link Network

I do not have much news on this linked network other than to say that it functions very well even in times of loadshedding.   I have also heard that the custodians of this network is currently very busy finalizing the 2023 working year and has very little time to spend on amateur radio.  

I would however like to mention the following:  The ZS1I GRHub Network does not connect via Echolink to ZS0JPL-R on Sunday mornings anymore. Instead a connection is established via ZS6WDL-R after listening to the KZN HAMNET  Bulletin on a Sunday morning via the ZS5PMB-R repeater network.  This provides better control relating to Echolink stations that might cause "The Ping Pong" effect.  

I would like to encourage clubs and link owners to connect their repeaters/links/hubs/nodes etc to the ZS Link Network to extend the range of the current networks.  This create more activity on our bands and many radio amateurs enjoy having a QSO with other radio amateurs country wide as well as world wide.  

8.  "Dagbreek Span", "Ontbyt Sake Span" and "Sonsak Span"  very active:

As I mentioned in a previous posting Amateur Radio is alive and well in the Southern Cape after a long period of inactivity.  There are currently three daily (Monday to Saturday) nets run in this area.  They are:

The "Dagbreek Span"  - your host Henk Botha ZS1AAD  06h00 - 06h30 SAST

The "Ontbyt Sake Span" - your host  Henk Botha ZS1AAD 06h30 - 08h00 SAST

The "Sonsak Span" - your host Johann Bekker ZS1AAC 16h30 - 17h30 SAST

All three nets can be accessed via the 145.750 Mhz Aasvoelkop Repeater  88.5 hz CTCSS or via Echolink ZS1SB-L.  Secondary access is also available  via ZS1I-L  Echolink and 49355 AllStar or 65511 DMR Talk Group.  Local and visiting radio amateurs are welcome to log into these three nets.  There is always room for any radio amateur on these nets.  Please feel free to join us!

Enough for now.  I still have a few more topics but that I will leave for a future posting.

Finally:  I would once again like to invite clubs and radio amateurs to use and keep on using the ZS-LINK and GRHub Network if they so wish. The network is not a private, club only or special allocated network.  It is open for general use by any radio amateur.  Transmit, experiment, test etc. - let radio amateurs know you are active and on the network.  Start or join a QSO and make new friends.
Thank you to those who support and use the Network regularly.  

Highly appreciated!!

What is in the Box?

 

 Here is another "What's in the Box?"

Contents:

    1 x ENC Desktop ABS Project Cabinet
    6 x Core Ferrite EMI Supressors
 
What do I have in mind for the above modules?

The six ferrite suppressors will be used in a repeater project.
Once you played with AllStar it never stops.  The cabinet will be used to build an AllStar Radioless Node.
 
Follow the GRHub Network Blog for updates on these projects.   

Images:  Click on the images for large view.

 

Is the Vasco Da Gama Fresh Water Well, the oldest HOTA activated site in South Africa?

Above Images: 1. Entrance to the Well 2. Well covered by round concrete slab.

Is the Vasco Da Gama Fresh Water Well, the oldest HOTA activated site in South Africa?

In my humble opinion this site is the oldest registered HOTA site in South Africa to date. I am open for correction in this regard. The well dates back to November 1497. But before we continue let's go back in history to understand the significance of this HOTA activated site. I quote:

“Vasco da Gama carried out 2 expeditions between 1497 and 1502. This feature focuses on the first, as it was during this expedition that Vasco da Gama's crew landed in South Africa.

The reason for putting "discovery" in inverted commas is because the land was not, as so many explorers argue, discovered by them. The land was already occupied and was being used by the inhabitants. The reason why groups often state their arrival on some foreign land as a "discovery" is because, according to the primitive 'finders keepers' rule, this lends support to any claim they make to "owning" the land. For an unpacking of this mystification of the history of exploration.

The Portuguese expedition set off from the Tagus River on 8 July 1497 with a crew of 148 men in a squadron of three square-riggers, the Sao Gabriel, the Sao Raphael, the Berrio, and a supply ship. The commander-in-chief, Vasco da Gama embarked on the Sao Gabriel accompanied by his pilot, Pedro de Alenquer. Vasco's brother, Paulo, captained the Sao Raphael. For almost four months they sailed across the Atlantic without sight of land until, on *4 November 1497, they reached a bay (current day St Helena). Vasco da Gama named the bay Bahai da Santa Elena (St Helena Bay), after the Religious Mother of Constantine the Great. Close to, or near the mouth of the Berg River, the explorers set in to make repairs, look for water, and check their position. - SA History.org.za”

The fresh water well at St Helena Bay as it is called today was found in November 1497 by Vasco Da Gama's explorers as they searched for water in the area.

Another historical event took place on the 3 May 2023. The Vasco Da Gama Fresh Water Well was activated as a significant heritage site in South Africa by Matthys (Thys) Louw ZS1TBP.

Image:  Thys ZS1TBP doing what he does best!!

Not only as a heritage site but also the first ever activation of a HOTA site by means remotely controlling the HF Amateur Radio Station of Jacques ZS6WDL.  I will let Christie ZS4CGR explain how the activation was done:  

REMOTE HAMS - Christie ZS4CGR - Radio ZS June 2023 (Click to download PDF)

And this is how the Vasco Da Gama Fresh Water Well (November 1497) was activated via amateur radio as a HOTA site registered as HP 0005.

(Click on image for larger view)
 

What is HOTA?

H.O.T.A (Heritage on the air) is an amateur radio group that strives to motivate radio amateurs to learn more about history, and to keep history alive by activating a multitude of historical sites by using SSB, AM, FM, CW and even with Heliographs. Radio amateurs have great fun going out in the field and visiting places and areas where once history was made. Even if you do not like history there is places that were visited that might be of interest to you. You can even combine your other hobbies with H.O.T.A. Now that you have a faint idea of H.O.T.A it is time to learn more about H.O.T.A and the fun radio amateurs have and can have in activating historical sites. If you want to learn more about H.O.T.A you can visit the Heritage on the Air website by clicking HERE.

Finally: Thys ZS1TBP would like to thank all those who contacted the station and also who assisted him during the activation. A special thanks to Christie ZS4CGR, Tjaart ZS3DR and Jacques ZS6WDL for assisting and allowing amateur radio to activate the oldest heritage site in South Africa, 1497?