Today we adjusted the blower motors for the highest speeds possible with the current pulleys since the input power is 50 instead of 60 Hz.  We should have changed the blower pulleys to 5″ or 6″ diameter instead of 8″ before the transmitter left Elkhart, but forgot to do so.  Today we ordered two 5″ pulleys from a company here at Matsapha,  which should arrive by the middle of next week.  Meanwhile the water temperatures will need to be monitored closely.

After the morning broadcasts ended, we were able to access one of the antennas required when this transmitter starts actual broadcasting.  We fine tuned it for 9525 kHz and the corresponding antenna.  In addition it was tested with audio and performed well.  We had hoped to test on the second antenna that will be used on several frequencies, but the afternoon broadcasts were starting up, which blocked access to that antenna.  Tomorrow, right after the morning broadcasts we plan to complete testing on all the remaining frequecies to be used.

One of the disadvantages of an automated transmitter site is the inflexibiltiy for testing a new transmitter on the broadcast schedule on a random basis.  The way the automation is set up the old transmitter will have to be taken out of the automation program and the new one put in.  There seems to be no easy way to quickly switch between the two transmitters should faults need corrected.

Today and tomorrow there is a seminar in the Manzini office and all the staff not needed for essential broadcast function are there.  As a result, the final wiring for audio and computer control of the new transmitter will not be completed until Monday.  We will continue ‘manual’ testing until then.

Virginia and Lorraine Stavropoulos are organizing food for about 70 people for the “Farming God’s Way” seminar mentioned above for both today and tomorrow.  This has kept them very busy for much of the time we have been here.  Please pray for this seminar, as it is designed to teach more than just methods of farming.