Hello VHF ops,
I was watching the solar indices in hopes that we might get a dump of
Solar particles down on the poles to spark off a real bonafide aurora.
After dinner, I trudged up the hill and turned on the generator to get
stuff running. I started calling CQ on 222.100 and also monitored the
ON4KST page. There was some concerted activity on six and two meters. I
was atad disappointed that more folks didn't make the move to the
higher band as conditions warranted. Still, ther was activity on the
222 MHz band. My first AU contact was good old VA3ELE running just 25
watts! Peter had a great signal via aurora. Next station worked was
VE3DS who was really pounding in. I found that my "sweet spot" seemed to
be between 295 and about 305 degrees. As time went along I found that
295 degrees was the best heading later on. I heard N4PZ near Chicago
with a great 55A signal several times, but Steve did not answer my
calls. Both VE3DS in Toronto, and Steve N4PZ peaked at about the same
heading. That N4PZ contact would have been a great QSO and I suspect RX
problems were the fly in the ointment. I also heard and worked WX3K in
PA. Stephanie lives near the Delaware Water Gap in FN20. She announced
that this was her first 222 MHz aurora QSO! Congratulations are in order
for that. WX3K had a good 55A signal as well. Totals for me were three
222 MHz AU QSOs and four stations heard.
I have been thinking about the best way to utilize the hilltop shack.
Not having remote capabilities is a big problem as getting up there can
be a problem. It does not get any better when you factor in the age of
the poor slob who has to do the walking. It is like walking to school
back in the old days. It was all uphill both ways!! I just bit the
bullet and am starting on a hilltop power project to allow permanent
power up there. I am enlarging my solar installation. I have ordered a
new big Lithium battery along with some killer solar panels to generate
1 KW of DC power. The new batteries have internal heaters. They can be
powered by the Solar panels directly. This will allow charging in the
winter months. Now I have to remove the original 150 AH lithium
battery or keep the shack heated all winter with a propane furnace. ($$)
I am hoping that with a bigger system, it will be possible to keep
things running continuously. I will need power for the 5 GHz internet
link, a dedicated computer, and the K3 radio. All of this will have to
run off a sine wave inverter that must also be powered up continuously.
I figure about a 15-20 amp continuous draw at 12 VDC. I'll probably have
to add a second lithium battery to achieve my goal, but I'll start with
just one 300 AH battery. They are not cheap. If you figure 20 amps per
hour of use, a 12 hour period of no Sun will amount to 240 AH of battery
drain! Yikes. I suspect the correct battery capacity is three batteries
for a 900 AH capacity. That is only $5000. (a mere drop in the bucket)
I might be getting into trouble here! Walking up the hill is sounding
better and better!
73
Dave K1WHS
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