The first thing that happened this morning occurred about 1am when the transmitter ‘called’ me that an ‘event’ had occurred. Since I could still hear it broadcasting I decided that it must have cutback on power due to arcing on the antenna arc gaps. I dialed in the code to return it to full power, but could not verify that it had happened. In the morning and at the office, we were able to download the logs and found that a cutback had taken place at that time and that full power was restored shortly thereafter. So did it do it itself or was it my phone call? Don’t know for sure.

After devotions this morning, I went with Ivan, a Bonairean worker, to the site and using a four wheel drive vehicle drove to each of the four towers to clean and paint with black paint the four arc gaps to see if it helps reduce the number of bugs from swarming around them. While there I noticed that there were thousands of little bugs flying around the white walls of the antenna hut next to the tower. I am wondering if the wall next to the tower was painted a darker color whether that also might help. The bugs would hopefully then be attracted away from the tower to the other white walls and roof. Might be worth a try?!

Just thinking — the arc gaps are usually brass and set a specific distance apart to arc over at a voltage just higher than normal operating voltage. I would think that painting the gap would provide a layer of ‘insulation’ on both sides of the gap and effectively increase the arc over voltage. By how much, I do not know, but something to consider!

We had an unusual opportunity in the afternoon. Amado and Sue Felix own Achie-Tours and provide tours especially for the cruise ships that stop in Bonaire. Yesterday Sue called Virginia and said that they had a couple of vacant seats on one of there better tours and asked if we would like to go. So from about noon we went on a three plus hour tour. It was very nice. Amado worked for TWR back in about 1967 and Sue came from the U.S. to help TWR short term the summer of 1969, while Larry was also serving his second short term stint on Bonaire. Amado and Sue were married in 1971 and are heavily involved in many business ventures on Bonaire. They have been a big help to TWR all through the years.

Our swim this evening was very short, as there was a huge crowd at the beach and lots of partying. Privacy was none existent and we did not feel that it was prudent to leave our belongings out of our reach (although the things of value, a cell phone and our keys were hidden from view). Especially while the transmitter is on the air from 5:30 pm to 8:30, I must be available to receive and act on any call to the cell phone from the transmitter.

After several late evenings, we turned in early.

During devotions this morning the FM transmitter went off the air. It was quickly determined that the cause was a power failure and, with no backup power, it did not return until after lunch. This is a small 600-watt transmitter broadcasting to the people of Bonaire.

We reviewed the 100,000-watt AM transmitter log and found that power was reduced at 9pm last night and continued at that lower level most of the night. Rich West called me via the internet from Elkhart to suggest that this was likely caused by water bugs flying through the arc gaps of the towers, causing a flash over, then the transmitter sensing a problem and reducing power to prevent further arcing. Water bugs are around because of standing water due to unusually heavy rains a couple of weeks ago. Rich says this problem will go away as the water slowly dries up. Which it is! Rich then noted that after the ground dries up termites start coming out of the ground about 9am. He also noted that by painting the arc gaps a dark color rather than white, like they were initially, that the frequency of arcs was reduced. I wonder if some type of screen could be used around the gap to prevent this, but this screen would have to be insulation material that can handle the high voltage! With Virginia’s experience with salty dust coating the windows screens, that may not be such a good idea!

The automation system has now been programmed to give me a call when the transmitter reduces power so we will be more aware of what is happening, and maybe find a solution. Joe Barker also tried to set up a laptop computer so that I could increase the power back to normal from home when this happens. Unfortunately, it did not work from the place where we are staying, so we’ll have to think about this some more. Transmitter control can be done via my cell phone, but it is very cumbersome and I can not verify whether corrective action has actually taken place.

The above efforts took a considerable amount of time so I only got to the site about 3pm. Picked up on the spare PA Module repair that was started yesterday. Managed to locate most of the spare parts, needed to make the repairs, including one spare fuse, which had a different number than the manual specified. Also gained access to all the faulty parts in the module after taking out lots of screws. Now to remove the faulty parts from the circuit boards. I’ll need to get the soldering station from town. Also need a thin wall 5mm socket or nut driver with a maximum outside diameter of 7mm. Can find nothing at the site or in town with thin enough wall. May have to get a socket and grind it down on the lathe.

Hopefully there will be more obvious progress tomorrow.

Another thing I discovered this morning is that the odd fuse that was blown in the PA module is only rated at 150 vdc rather than 500 vdc like the other proper ones. This could have been the cause of added damage with the initial failure. The one I discovered this afternoon in stock is a Ferraz Shawmut A5Y20-2 which is a direct replacement for the Buss Limitron KLM-20 fuse(s) that are needed.

This evening, we learned that plans to pack the 50,000-watt AM transmitter tomorrow morning in Elkhart has been delayed due to the shipping company’s inability to determine whether it will be able to connect with the ship leaving for Africa on October 23 and arriving there on December 5. TWR Swaziland would prefer it not get held up and incur storage fees should it arrive during the long holiday breaks by customs and others over Christmas and New Years.

NOTE — To see a bigger (and in some cases, expanded) version of any of the photos in this blog, just double click on the one you want to see.

Today I thought that you might like to take a tour through our home. It is quite average and nothing too impressive. The most interesting part is probably the bathroom. The tank for the toilet is up high and one has to push a button to make it flush.. sometimes it needs pushed more than once before it decides to flush! Also you can see that we have only a shower. It has a faucet down low for filling buckets for mopping, washing sandy feet, etc. All the faucets have one temperature of water and that is a cool warm. It feels cold first thing in the morning. Invigorating!!

All the rooms have nice big ceiling fans like the one in our bedroom. We have one dresser (that’s all we need for 6 weeks), a bed with only a sheet for cover (that’s plenty in this heat!), and up by the ceiling is an airconditioner we use at night. I took a picture of the front and back because it is a little different than an American air-co.
Our dining room is sufficient as is the living room. Notice the louvered windows and tile floors everywhere.

The kitchen holds a rusty refrigerator, that looks better on the inside than the outside. We have a microwave that does what it needs and a toaster oven that I have not tried out yet as well as a gas stove. The burners on the stove work, but I haven’t used the oven. Probably won’t unless it is necessary.

The laundry room is off the kitchen and through the carport. It has a hot water heater that is not working, a dryer that is not working and nice new washing machine that works very well.

In the backyard is the solar dryer. I had clothes on the line yesterday, but not when I took the picture.

And this is the car we drive. So far so good. I have not killed it yet, but am waiting to do so. It has been a long time since I have driven a stick shift.

Tomorrow, I will try to take a walk through town and put up pictures of that. I am sure you will be interested to see a picture of a ‘dremple’.

NOTE — To see a bigger (and in some cases, expanded) version of any of the photos in this blog, just double click on the one you want to see.

Added note — The house that we are living in has three bedrooms.

We learned this morning that the 50,000-watt transmitter for Swaziland will likely be packed in Elkhart yet this week into a 20 foot container brought by the shipping company. Two hours are allowed to pack it after which an hourly charge is assessed.

Virginia needed the car to do some shopping, so she took me to the site after lunch.

I began to trouble shoot the problem with the spare PA Module and found that one of the Modulation modules and the two RF modules that it supplies appeared to be shorted. [There are a total of four Modulation modules and eight RF modules in each PA module.] The interconnecting strap between the Mod and RF modules also showed a short. I disconnected the RF modules from this strap and the RF module short disappeared. I then unplugged the Modulation module and found that it still showed a short. Problem found!! Not so fast – I decided to measure the interconnection and found it to still be shorted. There is a filter board between the Modulation module and the RF modules. The FET used for this filter board for a crowbar protection circuit was also shorted. Will continue working on this tomorrow.

Before the time for the 100,000-watt AM transmitter to come on the air, I tested each of 16 PA Modules in the transmitter to ensure they were all performing properly. By inhibiting them one-at-a-time, it was determined that they were all OK. The power when each one was inhibited dropped the output about 11,000 watts. Calculations indicated that this was correct. Also, if ¼ of a PA Module failed, as is the case with the faulty one that is being repaired, a calculated loss of 3 kw compared to good RF Module would be expected and that is exactly what we had observed.

When I checked my email this evening, I learned the shipping container for the 50,000-watt AM transmitter will arrive at the Elkhart technology center first thing Friday morning.

We attended prayer time and devotions this morning and then I did a few things in the office while Larry did some computer work and studied the transmitter specs. While at the office, a man from customs arrived to have some papers signed. He mentioned his son attends a youth outreach that meets in one of the studios TWR no longer needs. That youth group has changed the hearts of severak young people and their families. One such person was a young man who spent his time robbing tourists. He had some issues with his father and through this outreach, came to know his Heavenly Father and then amends were made with his earthly father.

After taking Larry to the site, I went to the store and bought a few things. I had forgotten my bags, so picked up a box in the store for my purchases. Then I decided that it was time to do a load of laundry and clean house a bit. The washing machine is much like a simple one in the States. It just drains out on the ground, although there is a big plastic tub to catch the water. Unfortunately the tub has a drain hole in it but no plug. It is good here, where they distill all the water from the sea, to be as conservative as possible with water. The tub is to be used to catch the water for recycling. We used to use it to wash another load or to water the plants. Usually the soapy water on the plants, the rinse for the second load. It helped quite a bit with the water bill. So now I need to see if I can get another tub, or at least make the water not run right by the house. I used the ‘green’ dryer outside… the wind and sun. The gas dryer doesn’t work, but right now there is enough wind to dry things fairly quickly.
While my clothes were washing, I swept the floor and decided to work on an area where the ceramic tiles are discolored. I did manage to lighten the discoloration quite a bit, but will keep working on it while I am here. I took a before picture so I could compare the progress. I also damp mopped the house. They have a very big and heavy rag mop. I can’t squeeze it very well. I think I should have packed my steam mop!

I also tried to clean a couple of screens by brushing them and covered myself with salty dust. I thought it would help the outlook and air flow.. Then I walked around the yard

and took a few pictures of the plants around the house and a picture of a very big blue head lizard.

I went to pick Larry up at the transmitter site and whizzed right by my turn. Amazing how fast 25mph seems here! I then

took a different route and did not get lost.

We came home and had nasi goering, that I made, for dinner and then went for our evening swim. Larry took a few pictures of the sun that daily drops into the sea.