Topbanders:
We have had daily lightning storms in our region, in our state, and
frequently in our yard the past month. I lost three 13.8 V power supplies,
three VHF mast-mounted preamps, and three rotar control boxes to nearby
lightning in August. The transceivers and power supplies were all
disconnected from antennas and AC power, but I have lines running from the
VHF mast mounted preamps to the 13.8V outputs of the power supplies.
Unfortuately, when I hooked up the IC-706 to a 13.8V PS WITHOUT turning
on the IC-706, I lost the IC-706 as the PS voltage regulator had taken a hit
and the voltage was now 26 volts. The IC-706 finals are connected to the PS
voltage even when the rig is NOT turned on, a defiency in the design, if you
ask me. Luckily my FT-1000 is working OK.
There has not been a single night when the almost continuous static
crashes were below S-9. On September 1, I heard the east coast working the
Europeans and Asians. I actually could copy G4BUE a little bit between
static crashes and gave him one tentative call. I also called KH6CC once,
before QRN AND QRM covered him up that evening.
Mornings, close to sunrise, have been better, of course, but still
noisy. This morning I exchanged 569's with Gus, KH2/K4SXT. I appologize for
my CW. The paddles I bought last weekend at a hamfest were not adjusted
properly, and my CW sorta went crazy! A few minutes later VK3ZL answered my
CQ, and we exchanged 569's. Thanks Bob. I'm hoping the band will quiet down
a bit in the evening this coming week.
Doug W0AH central Colorado
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