Category Archives: From the OM

PCM Doing Good Job

Posted on April 23, 2013 by robert

The PCM LO4S30 Power Control Module that I used with the the four-series 60 AH LiFePO4 battery (LFP-G60 cells)  is doing a great job keeping the cells balanced on recharge.  After the 3rd PCM charge, the largest difference is now 12 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, From the OM, Gear | 2 Comments

65.78 AH, 10h58m

Posted on April 21, 2013 by robert

And the Test Results are in… 65.78 AH capacity from 14.35 volts down to 12.00 volts, at a C/10 rate of 6.00 Amps.  This is 9.6% more than the name plate capacity. Measured individual cell voltages were very close, ranging … Continue reading →

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Note to self…

Posted on April 21, 2013 by robert

So the bewitching hour has struck, and the capacity test continues on. Testing high capacity batteries takes a lot of time.   Note to self for future tests:  Start earlier in the day! The 60AH battery has been under a … Continue reading →

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60AH LiFePO4 Battery for Field Day

Posted on April 19, 2013 by robert

After monitoring my K3 power consumption during the SSB WPX Contest, I determined that I could run the K3 continuously set to full power in contest mode for about 30 hours with a 60 AH battery.  So my plan is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, From the OM, History | 3 Comments

Patriot’s Day Bombing

Posted on April 16, 2013 by robert

I hesitate to write this, as it isn’t directly related to ham radio, but it did have an indirect impact as my technician class gladly stood down for a night as the Red Cross started their efforts to plan their … Continue reading →

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Taking the exam for ARRL Volunteer Examiner

Posted on April 12, 2013 by robert

I took the ARRL-VEC Exam, which is an open-book 40-question yes/no, fill-in-the-blank, mini-essay type exam taking 3 pages.  Add a page long application and a copy of your license, plus postage for 2 ounces applied to the envelope, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Operating, Public Service | 3 Comments

Honoring a Mentor

Posted on April 6, 2013 by robert

(Receiving John ‘s comment yesterday about his first QSO, reminded me that I needed to do something similar for mine) I have misplaced my original license and logs (I will find them and put them online in eQSL and LotW … Continue reading →

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A QSL from the distant past…

Posted on April 5, 2013 by robert

I received a post-comment from John Boyd who mentioned that he recalled working a WN4SON back in the day.  While I’ve misplaced my log and original license (I know they are packed in a box from one of my moves), … Continue reading →

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Class Begins…I pity the students

Posted on April 1, 2013 by robert

I’m teaching a Technician Class on behalf of the Newport County Radio Club, and the first class begins tonight. Over the years I’ve taught many classes in various different subjects (micro-controller applications, celestial navigation, boy scout merit badges, boating safety, etc.) .  But … Continue reading →

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XT2TT Confirmation completes TWO goals for 2013

Posted on March 22, 2013 by robert

I just received LotW confirmations from XT2TT, Burkina Faso, that included a RTTY digital contact.  That confirmation actually completes my first goal for the year; getting 175 countries confirmed in LotW.  It also completes a second goal; getting Digital DXCC … Continue reading →

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