Maintenance on tower #3 progressed today with the painting of the rotator and thrust bearing brackets was completed. After the final coat of paint had dried the rotator and thrust bearing were mounted.

Also progressed today was the building of a battery box for use on Field Days (and camping!). After researching a range of similar commercially made battery boxes, I've elected to build my own.

 

Inside is an 80AH deep cycle battery. On the outside, a 50amp Anderson plug (for charging [either from car or solar panel] and for connection to a power board), two binding posts fused with a 20amp fuse and a digital volt meter with push button activation.

Two separate leads were also made. The first is to connect the battery into the Patrol's dual battery system allowing charging while driving. The second is to be incorporated into a power-board that has multiple binding posts and fuses for connecting radio equipment for Field Day style operation.