Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club
Santa Cruz Island Repeater
by Helicopter, October 2002

After many months we finally got the opportunity to make a trip to Diablo Peak at Santa Cruz Island (elev 2500') for equipment repair, maintenance, and upgrade. Essential to this task was the pre-staging of over 1000 lbs of new replacement batteries and other material needed to get the job done.

The first two days we had rain, hail, high winds, and low temperatures. A few days later we repeated the trip. This time it was a classic California day.

Approach May 2002	Site Close Up May 2002	The Team May 2002
Antennas May 2002	Solar Panels May 2002	Solar Panels (rear) May 2002
Rebuilt Antennas May 2002	SBARC Enclosure May 2002	Old Solar Rack May 2002

The Gel type batteries on site had been doing quite well for the past nine years but they were beginning to reach the limit of their useful life. The replacement batteries are GNB Absolyte's which have a capacity of 1015 Ampere Hours. These batteries are expected to have a life of 15+ years. The battery power system will be integrated with 8 solar panels which have a capacity of 400 watts. A new solar panel controller will be added to match the new type batteries.

In one photo you will note the 6 meter antenna has been taken down. We discovered water in the coax so it has been brought back to the mainland for refurbishing. It will be replaced on the next trip.

Our plan is to bring the site up to operating condition with a few interesting features our membership will find interesting. The details and technical information will be available on the SBARC web site for system operators once all the tasks are completed and checked out.

New Batteries May 2002	Battery Box May 2002	New Batteries May 2002
Battery Box Install May 2002	Removed 6 Meter May 2002	The Team May 2002
View Leaving May 2002	Oxnard Airport May 2002	Touch Down May 2002

Our Thank's go to pilots Charlie McLaughlin and Rick Throckmorton of ASPEN HELICOPTER'S who got our men and equipment to and from the site.