Sloppy RX site work. Pictures speak a thousand words....

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:29 pm

FYI- The site location & names of the department and vendor are being ommitted for the purpose of security. It doesn't really matter anyway as it is not mine or my department's nor is it the vendor we use.

Does anyone else see something wrong with these picutures??

This is the site. It's just a pole with an antenna on top and a rack box on the bottom.

No, your not seeing things. That is a stick from a nearby oak tree in place of a pad lock. Note, the padlock was sitting on top of the box. Highly secure!

Well now. Isn't this lovely. After the cover practicly fell off in my arms, I am greeted by this box that also more or less lands in your lap since it was wedged in the box on top of that rats nest.

Pictures speak louder than words, need I say more.

Here we have the breaker box for the thing. Notice there is no stick holding it closed... there is no lock either...

After bypassing the highly secure lid (not), look what we have here. Gee, we can shut the whole site off with that! And the extra knock out is perfect for family of mice that need a home!! They weren't being sloppy, they were being envirnmentally concious...

Is this normal or do I just expect too much????

jcobb · Post by **jcobb** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:47 pm

I'll bet the box has spare extension cords in it...

Jack

elkbow · Post by **elkbow** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:02 pm

WOW....does it work?

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:21 pm

elkbow wrote:WOW....does it work?

Well, that depends. How do you define "work"??

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:50 pm

What kind of service is this used for - public safety, commercial, etc...?

-Mike

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:08 pm

Don't worry about that. I'm trying to not reveal too much about what/where for obvious reasons.

007 · Post by **007** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:31 pm

WOW!

That is a shitty job...who ever did that should be shot.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:41 pm

nmfire10 wrote: purpose of security.

You mean to avoid embarrassment.

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:46 pm

Reminds me of some installations I've seen.

Ontario Hydro (now Hydro One) has similar setups in rural areas for remote monitoring for voltage, load levels, etc...

One setup didn't even HAVE a door on it!

-Mike

Big Blue TO/\/\ · Post by **Big Blue TO/\/\** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:58 am

So what was in the box? The manuals for the janitor, when he came out to service it? lol

jackhackett · Post by **jackhackett** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:15 am

My guess for what's in the box.. it looks like the type/size of box for a metering panel.

Now let's see what Carol has behind door number two...

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:14 am

Ooooooooo Red Snapppa!

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:22 am

I didn't even open the box. However, it looks exactly like the box at another site I've seen that contains spare boards. At least here, that box was closed and not open collecting dust.....

Cowthief · Post by **Cowthief** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:15 am

Hello.

I saw the knock-out holes before.
In fact the entire thing reminds me of the now bankrupt wireless cable company we had out here.
Service with a smile

Big BOB · Post by **Big BOB** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:17 pm

Prime example of DE-REGULATION!!

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:20 pm

Huh????? What does utility de-regulation have to do with this?

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:56 pm

My two bits worth:
I've seen as bad, and much worse.
This is what happens when the customer is looking for who will do the job cheaper, and won't pay to have the job done properly.
It looks as if at one time it was not a bad installation, but has degraded due to lax maintenance.

I've seen sites with 10 or so repeaters that was as bad, no filters, covers and shields missing, door falling off the site, roof leaking rat nests in the equipment, and so forth.

nc5p · Post by **nc5p** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 5:17 pm

I like the cardboard box inside. My goat Misty would gladly remove the stick holding the thing closed to munch that cardboard inside, and unplug the power cords. She unplugs her water trough heater all the time. They better hope there aren't any goats around there.

I've seen stuff like this in commercial broadcasting. One radio station in Minnesota has a closet that looks like this with their computer automation system. The disk drives are laying out on the floor, ribbon cables strewn across to the open cabinet.

I have actually walked into facilities looking this way and told the owners that I will clean up that mess. One told me to take a hike, only to call me in a few months and have me totally redo the place.

Doug

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:12 pm

My reason for venturing out to this site was to see if we could fit a remote reciever in that cabinet as well. After careful concideration, I think it might be a better idea to put up my own rack cabinet and just never look at that one ever again.

Post by **wavetar** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:01 pm

Ohh, no 'might' about it, your own cabinet is definitely a better idea. It's not only the current mess you have to think about, it's what these jokers might do to your equipment if it's in their cabinet!

Todd

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 10:43 am

jeeze this makes you wonder if the individual who installed the cabinet ever heard of cable ties....

Post by **batdude** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 10:53 am

at least it's an outdoor enclosure with a gasket on it....

d

bernie · Post by **bernie** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 12:02 pm

My two bits worth:
For the gasket to be effective, the two bolts must be properly tightned so the gasket seals.
If the lock was not missing that would be only a very minor inconvienence for an "evil doer"

I have seen sites used for target practice. Locks really don't stop bullets.

De regulation:
In the old days when a utility was garanteed a profit, there was no trouble supporting a very compitent radio shop.
The site better pass inspection or else.
Now days with the utility companys broken up and radio work farmed out to ever is cheaper. There may not even be someone compitent to inspect the work of a contractor, the end user may not even have an idea of how their system is supposed to operate.
Motorola service network is a thing of the past, the infrastructure is slowly deteriorating.

Is the user of this equipment aware of the condition of their equipment?
Are they even using it, or is it abandonded?

jcobb · Post by **jcobb** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 12:21 pm

What I always liked was when you had a professional radio, professional install in a location with hams - whenever the hams had a problem with their equipment, they would unplug our equipment "because it might have been causing problems".

You could never catch them at it, which was lucky for them...

Their install looked a lot like the one above.

Jack

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 1:09 pm

Bernie...

It is not in an area where people would be taking shots at it... well, I mean they could but the neighbors would be angry. I still don't see what utility deregulation has to do with it though. This thing has nothing to do with the phone company or power company. It isn't even on a utility owned pole. The pole's sole purpose in life is to hold an antenna.

Yes, it is used. I suspect the owner doesn't know how crappy this thing is but believe me, they will.

motor59 · Post by **motor59** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 6:43 am

On a positive note, you can go ahead and mount your own box adjacent to theirs, and take advantage of the open slot in the AC panel they've so graciously provided for you.
From the looks of things, I seriously doubt that they'd notice another 20A breaker in the panel.
Just make sure you use the same color sharpie to scribble a description underneath it.
And you'll probably want to install your own lock...

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:18 am

motor59 wrote: And you'll probably want to install your own lock...

(&$@ that. I'm gonna weld that bastard shut and electrify the door. Then, put that sign from a military base that says "Us of deadly force authorized" on the outside of it.

On that note... Anyone know of some good sources for outdoor pole mountable rack enclosures??

SlimBob · Post by **SlimBob** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:54 am

nmfire10 wrote:
motor59 wrote: And you'll probably want to install your own lock...
(&$@ that. I'm gonna weld that bastard shut and electrify the door. Then, put that sign from a military base that says "Us of deadly force authorized" on the outside of it.

On that note... Anyone know of some good sources for outdoor pole mountable rack enclosures??

Anyone know of some good sources for signs that say "Use of deadly force authorized"?

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 5:21 pm

SlimBob wrote:Anyone know of some good sources for signs that say "Use of deadly force authorized"?

I'd have to check my Brady catalog...

spareparts · Post by **spareparts** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 5:11 pm

This the one you are looking for?

RESTRICTED AREA. Anyone intruding shall immediately become subject
to the jurisdiction of military law. Intruders will be subject to lethal force,
without warning, and on sight. USE OF DEADLY FORCE IS AUTHORIZED
under the Internal Security Act of 1950

SlimBob · Post by **SlimBob** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:50 am

oh yeah, that's nice.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:53 pm

Sounds like the best way to get your crap messed with to me. Put up a sign like they and I get it's in some kids bedroom before you get home. The best way to keep people away from it is to make it look like the all the other metal boxs mounted to poles. You say that box in the pictures are not safe, but it would apper that it is doing fine. I bet if you put some dumb sign in it someone would mess with it. If you really want to put a fake sign on, use something like the "Danger--High Voltage" stickers.

Mike in CT · Post by **Mike in CT** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:09 pm

years ago I installed an 140ft SSV in a schoolyard (honest!) for the local PD/EMS... with a 10x10 building.

when the "animals" wanted to know what it was all about, I told them the shed contained equipment to supply the neighborhood with MTV and ESPN.
(yeh, I know, I lied).

the site has never been vandalized, touched or questioned.

I think it was the "ESPN" that really sold it.

Mike in CT
KM1R

Post by Pj » Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:32 pm

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:56 pm

Cam... I'm all about keeping that stuff low key. Thats probably why it hasn't been f'ed with up to this point. My want for the "I'll shoot you" sign was in reference to the parties responsible for that box and keeping them out of mine should I put one there.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:06 pm

Well, it seems once the individual in charge of the agency using this equipment got word of the "issues", he had the radio service company running to fix it like a raped ape. Amazing, the thing is actually cleaned up and proper condition now. And.... the access doors are even closed!!!

kcbooboo · Post by **kcbooboo** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:59 am

It almost looks like the kind of work that would have been done by a local /\/\ shop near the University of No Hope that will otherwise go nameless. Amazing what a little bit of publicity will do.

Did they also install a proper padlock, or are they still using a twig?

Bob M.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:24 am

Oh yea, it has locks on both sides and the panels are bolted down for weather seal as well!!

jcobb · Post by **jcobb** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:19 am

Ummmm. Someone "lurking" here recognized their own handi-work....

Or knew who's it was, and went to tell.

Too funny.

"The power of the 'board!!!!"

Jack

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:53 am

Seth, that would have been to good. After contemplating the best way to word my findings and not sound like an ass, I contacted the owner of the site myself. Bearing in mind who uses it, it was not something I would want to crap out at the wrong time. He was appriciative of it

JohnG · Post by **JohnG** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 3:30 pm

Pj wrote:

The Internal Security Act or McCarran Act of 1950 required communist and communist front organizations to register with the Attorney General. Members of these groups could not become citizens. Citizen-members could be denaturalized in five years. Congress overrode President Harry Truman's veto.

Sections of the ISA were gradually ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and it was completely repealed in 1990.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedi ... curity-Act

Astrospec · Post by **Astrospec** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:22 pm

Looks like a Public service site I know in SW New Hampshire!

Racing_CHUBS · Post by **Racing_CHUBS** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:35 am

Got any pictures of the new equipment?!

Nand · Post by **Nand** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:43 pm

How is this for a fire department repeater for a city with a population of one million? I run into this
about two years ago. The light inside was a nightstand lamp. The plastic sheet was used to keep
the snow and rain out. It speaks well for the mobiles since they apparently worked in both very ho
and cold temperatures.

Nand.

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:24 pm

Nand, is it just me, or is there no floor in that wonderful enclosure?

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:36 pm

It looks like one of those flat-packed kit garden sheds!

bellersley · Post by **bellersley** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:48 am

I guess that M10 repeater setup isn't THAT bad...for a backup or for a HAM repeater, but a fire department's MAIN repeater? Oy.

RFdude · Post by **RFdude** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:51 pm

Alpha Technologies has lots of pole mount boxes. They likely supply them to your local cable company.

http://www.alpha.com/catalog/catalog.as ... D=875&lc=1

Most are sized for some sort of battery. The larger versions have a rack portion at the top and battery below. Code approved electrical access of course.

RF Dude.

giguchan · Post by **giguchan** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:15 am

WOW!!!
Regarding the pole mounting issue..... I would mount it out of reach of anybody that does not have a ladder or a bucket truck..... and go with the reccomended alpha enclosure...the cellular compaines sometime do that sorta thing, They also use bulletproof shelters..
But as for the woods...... it looks like a great place to hunt - ok it werent for that big ole house i saw in the background....but those woods were beautiful though...kinda looks like my retirement home.... IF i had one..and.. when the time comes...
good luck gig...

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:15 pm

at least HALF the door is pad locked.

That's a borderline criminal installation and site setup.

Sloppy RX site work. Pictures speak a thousand words....

Sloppy RX site work. Pictures speak a thousand words....

Re: Sloppy RX site work. Pictures speak a thousand words...

Cute.

hey

Sign Wanted

cabinet box

Pole Mount Enclosures