Oh no! LEAKS!!!

[kc7gr]

Well, I'm probably going to get at least a few "I told you so's" out of this, but...

After five years of no rain leakage whatsoever on the TechMobile, I finally started seeing wetness on top of a couple of my 'stuff boxes' in the backside, dripping down from where the cables were making their bend to go through the headliner. My theory is that the gaskets get less flexible with age, and less able to form a good seal around the cables as a result.

For those unfamiliar with what I'm referring to, look here:

http://www.bluefeathertech.com/kc7gr/thevan.html

I'm off this morning to take advantage of the spacious, brightly-lit and weather-shielded install bay at work (since it's a state holiday today) to re-do six out of seven of my antennas. Two out of three of the rack panels previously used as mounting plates have already been removed, and I will be going back to standard through-the-roof configuration with stainless-steel NMO mounts for the radios.

The seventh antenna (the GPS 'Pod') is staying. I'm not having any trouble with a single cable through the back hatch gasket, and I've yet to find an NMO-mount GPS antenna with 55dB gain.

New photos, and appropriate updates, will be posted to my web site upon completion.

As an aside, and in reference to today: I may not agree with our current prezzydent, but I have nothing but respect for our troops.

To all those who fight (and have fought) true Evil so that I, and others, can enjoy what freedom we have now, my heartfelt thanks. I won't forget.

Keep the peace.

[kc7gr]

The antenna-refit job for the TechMobile went very smoothly, though it left me stiff and sore, muscle-wise, the next day.

I'm just waiting on two springs for the front VHF antennas. Once I get them in place, new pictures will be taken and posted.

[kb0nly]

Will be watching for the new pictures!