Transmitter Cooling

About 100 feet (two 50 foot runs) of Copper water lines had to be fabricated, fit and installed for the transmitter cooling system. These lines connect the tank in the transmitter to the chillers outside the building.

Getting Wired - Part 3

Another volunteer arrived from the States to help us for two weeks of our busiest time here.

Marty Montour got right into 'wired ' mode as he joined the team in building conduit runs, cutting cable, pulling wires, etc.

The power and control lines for the heat exchanger fans were fished through and completed to the breaker box.

The conduit runs to the control transformer were completed and then came the day to pull the cable into the control transformer. Did I fail to mention that we have been experiencing feeder-band activity from a typhoon to our north? This brought torrential rains to us. You may notice in these pictures that we have the added element of mud.

Getting Wired - Part 2

Well - had better put some more coffee on - there is more wiring to be done. The following pictures tell the story.

1) Jim & Kevin are installing conduit and wiring the fans to TX 6

2) Bob Schultz is wiring the fan relays.

3) Mike & Phil are tracing and establishing the wiring to TX 6

4) Jim & Mike are installing new breakers. (Power has been shut off to this part of the building.

You can imagine a dark blank picture before lighting was set up to do the work in this picture.

5) The control transformer has just arrived today. Next will be getting this in place... and wired up.

Getting Wired - Part 1

Espresso, cappuccino, latte? Yes, we are getting wired, but a bit different than a welcome stop to the neighborhood Starbucks.

This 'scoop' is about a different 'wired'. The coffee's on but the real focus is getting the electrical wiring completed, especially to Transmitter 6.

We've had some large runs of conduit completed from the transformers to the Merlin Gerin units and then from there to the transmitters. Then the high voltage cable has been snaked through the conduit from the Merlin Gerin to Transmitter 6.

And we also have new lighting being installed in the TX hall - more wiring! Our theme for now is 'getting wired'. More to come. But right now... coffee is on!

Move 'em on, head 'em up...

Head 'em up, move 'em on,

Move 'em, head 'em up,

Rawhide!

Yes siree bob, that ole' round-up song lassoed my brain this week with all the movin' goin' on this here week. First the modulator transformers for the Thomson transmitters were moved and installed. (1) Next the Merlin-Gerin power switch units for the new transmitters were rounded up into their corral...oh excuse me...moved to the room they will be occupying. (2) And finally the blowers for TX6 which arrived on site Friday, were brought into the building.(3)

To prepare for the modulator transformers, concrete pads were poured, and were ready for when they were put into place. (The transformers will step down power voltage from 480 volts to 380 volts.) Drywall has been completed on the new walls and they will soon be painted.

Jim McIntyre, Sterling Ottun, and Brian Martin flew to the neighboring island of Saipan last week to pack up and ship antennae and transmitter parts, as well as tolls that were purchased from FEBC on Saipan who are dismantling their Saipan shortwave broadcast operation. As a result of FEBC shutting down on Saipan, a couple who have been working there, may be seconded to TWR Guam in the near future.

Newly arrived this week is the Griffith family from Nebraska who are volunteering to help us with the transmitter project. Dad, Ken, mom, Janet, and kids, Ethan, JoBeth, and Jentry threw themselves right into the work by painting the transformers, air conditioners, and storage containers. Soon to arrive are Kevin and Lynn Baker who worked with us late last year and are now TWR staff helping us for the time being with the project. Also arriving soon are Phil and April Leppke, joining us for several months (perhaps longer). Thanks to so many who have been praying with us for the needed workers to complete the transmitter project....God has been abundantly supplying.

It's a Puzzling Situation

Over the past couple of weeks, a new wall has been emerging between the transmitter room and the "Shop" (where all the building and welding occurs, and where the shop tools are kept). Because of the immense size and irregular angles, many of the pieces of sheet rock had to be cut into unusual sizes and angles. It was like putting a puzzle together but your having to make your own pieces as you went along. As the wall went up, right behind the builders, were the electricians to put electrical lines into conduit pipes to put in new receptacles; shop lights were put up as well.

Meanwhile, now that the new transmitters are sitting firmly in place, it's time to get everything figured out, wired up, and tested. Which is much easier to say than to actually do! It is a long and thoughtful process, and one might even add, this too is a puzzling situation at times. Right now there are a bunch of wires coming from TX 6 and each one must be checked to see where they go and what they do. Currently they are looking for the source of 240 volts for a line that is needed. The cooling system is also getting a check-up which will involve filling the tank with water then checking for leaks and finally checking the pump.

There is excitement in the air over the potential of several new staff both short and long term. God seems to be answering prayers.

Taking Shape

Things are really taking shape at TWR Guam. There is a lot of work to get things into the shape they need to be in, but the change is coming... and it's noticeable.

Transmitter 6 is getting re-shaped by actually being put back together on the inside.

Boxes of parts and supplies that were stored behind the transmitters in the containers are now being inventoried as the necessary parts are put in the transmitter.

At the same time the construction work has also taken on a different phase. The wall and doors have been completed between the transmitter hall and the shop. (The transmitter hall is now a bit bigger than before. A new meterbox has also been installed and lights and fixtures and power distribution is being completed too.

Stay tuned as the changes continue to come.