More Power to the Fans

There are still some things left to be done before TX1 can be brought back on the air. Since the heat exchanger will be cooling the steam outside the building, we added another fan. The additional load from the extra 1HP motor caused an existing circuit breaker to be too small. That is why this photo shows me changing the breaker.

Other things we are doing include running the steam and condensate pipes from the transmitter to the heat exchanger, using the old storm door to seal a wall, and making panels and other parts for the transmitter. This work requires electronics, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and metal working skills.

Even without the work related to this project, we can use people with these skills just about all of the time. We have greatly benefitted from the help from short-term helpers on this project. We could also use people with these skills as career missionaries. Please prayerfully consider whether or not the Lord could be leading you to join the team here.

Project Management and Moving Radiators

Cassius Smith arrived last week to help with Project management of the Transmitter Replacement Project. Cassius recently retired after working 32 years as a software developer and project manager and is now working Full time with TWR. More Information about Cassius and his wife Valerie can be found on TWR org. http://www.twr.org/global_staff/smith

Heat exchanger move

On Friday 8 October we moved the large cooling radiators (120lb each + 100lb fan and frame) for Transmitter 1 and 2 to the outside of the building in preparation for the new layout of the transmitter hall. The radiators were originally mounted as part of the transmitter inside the building and when operated pulled in moist salty air. This modification will provide for a cleaner operating environment for the existing old and new transmitters. Check out the video to see how “many hands make light work”.

TX 1 Goes Skating . . .

How do you move a huge transmitter across a room? You put it on "skates" and push! Sounds simple, but the process took a lot of planning, man power, and a dedicated staff to accomplish this massive task. More importantly, the Lord was front and center throughout the whole procedure for which we give Him all praise and honor.

In preparation for the move, the TX was placed on "skates" (see pic 1) to make the move easier. Once the TX was pushed out into the transmitter hall, some prep work was done on the area that had been inacessible since it's first installment. Then came the all-hands-on-deck effort of pushing it across the room and to the opposite space once occupied by TX 4, (pics 2-4) and placing it into it's new home (pic 6). Next, the upper level section of the transmitter was put into place. Also moved was the temporary wall that had been placed in former TX 4's spot to cover the gap now left by TX 1. For a "moving" experience, be sure to see the video posted below.

This week's work will be focused on re-assembly, re-wiring, and reconnecting power to TX 1. Once that TX is up and working, TX 3 can be taken out (after a potential buyer has viewed it as a working TX). Another cooling radiator move is also on tap fo this week.

Moving Transmitter 1

There were a lot of smiles to be seen the day Transmitter 1 was successfully moved from one side of the KTWR Transmitter hall to the other, making room for a new transmitter!

Heave Ho . . .

"On the count of three, you pull, and we will push." . . . And so with a loud 1-2-3, three 5/8" high-voltage lines (SSC) were threaded through a narrow 1 1/2" conduit pipe that took the lines through two 85 degree turns and one long 40 foot run (see pic 4). It took two men to push the lines through (pic 3), and as the lines got to the end of the pipe, four men to finish pulling it through (pic 5). This was done twice. As I watched this, I was reminded of sailors of old, hoisting up a main-sail. All this was done to make room for the Thompsons; the old lines having been in the way.

On tap this week: the new power lines will be connected, and TX 1 will be moved to its new location across the room, after which installation will begin.

TX 1 is feeling disconnected . . .

After the drama of these past several weeks, this week's work on the GTR project seemed rather tame. The goal? To get TX 1 ready to be moved across the room to its new location. The wires that had to be disconnected were disengaged and the top of the unit is off, so now it is ready to be moved.

This week's project toward the ultimate goal of installing the new transmitters, is to move high voltage lines over so that there will be room for the Thompsons. It goes without saying that prayer will be greatly appreciated with this venture.

Excitement grows as the aspect of more workers to come out to help with the project continues to develop. John Norczk from Florida, will be flying in on Friday and staying for a month. Kevin Baker from Canada plans to arrive in October and will be staying on for several months. Others are also expressing interest in helping for which we are very thankful.

Above are several photos as part of our visual diary of the GTR project.

TX 1 goes wireless . . .

What? A transmitter without any wires? Well, at least for now TX 1 will be without it's wiring as this week's task for the Guam Transmitter Replacement project (GTR) included disconnecting the wires in TX 1 in preparation for its' move across the room. Perhaps not as challenging as gutting an entire transmitter, but certainly important to the entire move.

Last week we reported moving the TX 5 cooling radiator. All the bugs seem to have been worked out, and we praise God that it has been functioning well; perhaps even better than before.

In other news, we sponsored a group of people from Moody Radio (pictured above) who came to visit us as part of their vision trip to China. The main goal of the Moody group's visit was to see first-hand the work and ministry of TWR-Asia and thereby help us to raise the needed funds for the GTR project. By actually seeing the transmitters, towers, and staff, then to actually see our listeners in China, the group was better able to understand the importance and need for the new transmitters. As they return to the States and to their broad radio audience, they will be able to tell the story of TWR and encourage listeners to support the GTR project financially. While they were with us, we had two opportunites to fellowship together as a staff, they observed a "P" shift, and were also able to have a bit of fun as they enjoyed the beautiful island of Guam. It was a joy to share mutual experiences as radio people, and they were an encouragement to us as well. It is probably safe to say we all came away having developed great relationships and friendships with each other.