A quick condition check on our 5775 repeater batteries today let us know they are in need of replacement. Well at least one needs replacement, but that effectively means the pair should be replaced together. The two lead acid batteries in series for 24v, gave results at the opposite ends of the scale to each other. One has 100% health and the other 2%. Chances are 1 cell has failed in the 2% battery as it is delivering around 10v.
An inverter drops the battery voltage down to 13.8v to supply the repeater, so even with the faulty battery the system can cope. [For those with eagle eyes – the images of the battery tests were taken with the charger on, hence the 12v that is indicated on the bad battery. The reading on the bad battery was nearer 10v with the charger turned off]
So it looks like batteries are on the shopping list.
On such a brilliant sunny calm day, we spent a good while chatting outside while Harry demonstrated his stealth antenna that was based on a hard to see wire stretched horizontally at a low level. Interesting to see how antennas so close to ground can still work effectively. And on the subject of antennas, we took advantage of the weather to make an adjustment to the 40m folded dipole. Shortening the feedline slightly allowed us to lessen the support tension on the antenna by allowing the dipole to dip slightly.
And after that exhausting exercise, it was off to the tearoom to round out the day with a coffee !