A Chilling Effect!

Chilling on Guam? Or maybe it means we are chilling out - calming down instead of getting wired! NOT!

The water from the cooling system is 'chilled' or cooled in fan cooled radiators. The water flows in and out of the chillers through the copper water lines (previously posted). Here the mounting of the fan units is being done to the chiller units.

Preparation?

"Yes Grasshopper, balance is everything!

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.