Category Archives: From the OM

Do you need a charge controller with a LiFePO4 battery?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by robert

The makers of the new LiFePO4 batteries recognized a market in replacing traditional Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries.  With a little help from some built-in electronics, they offer a technology that packs 30% more energy into the same form factor … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, From the OM, Gear | 10 Comments

Shipping restrictions on LiFePO4 battery caught my eye

Posted on September 28, 2011 by robert

I recently purchased another K2 Energy K2B12V10EB battery (4 cells in series, 10AH, 123 Watt-hour LiFePO4 chemistry – in a package similar to a 7AH SLA battery but about 1/3 the weight). I noted with interest that the package had … Continue reading →

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I can’t wait any longer…

Posted on September 28, 2011 by robert

While I am anxiously awaiting Elecraft’s release of their KX3 QRP rig, my fingers are itching to try something new.  It’s been awhile since I’ve built a radio from a kit (the last time was a HW-16 years ago) — … Continue reading →

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Why I like BuddiPole

Posted on August 31, 2011 by robert

I have mentioned my BuddiPole antenna before.  I think BuddiPole tends to elicit some strong responses from folks.  There is the camp that swears BuddiPole is too expensive for what you get.  There are those that feel BuddiPole is poorly … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear | 3 Comments

Generator follow-up

Posted on August 29, 2011 by robert

It seems like the entire neighborhood is abuzz with the sound of generators.  I can’t hear the cricket chirping noise now.  Neighbors that are 500+ feet away are making more noise that the Honda 8 feet from me.  It’s pretty … Continue reading →

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Irene, I say again Irene

Posted on August 29, 2011 by robert

Pretty much all of the east coast from North Carolina to New England was visited this weekend by an unwelcome guest — Hurricane Irene.  This was a massive storm, over 500 miles in diameter, that managed to dump an enormous … Continue reading →

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Cape Cod: Home of Wireless, Whales and Lighthouses

Posted on August 29, 2011 by robert

My family and I spent a few days on the cape during during late August (hoping that the late date would mean less traffic and crowding).  On our way out to our hotel, we arrived several hours before check-in time, … Continue reading →

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SCORE!!!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by robert

Don, VE3VRW, from Dog Park Software, was a real champ and helped explain the reason why I was having issues with my IC-9100 and MacDoppler.  It turns out when Icom wrote their custom drivers for Windows, they made sure they … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, History, Satellite | 1 Comment

One of those days!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by robert

So the day before yesterday, I was determined to make a contact via ARISSat-1.  I had MacDoppler fired up and tuning my rig during a late night pass.  There was a great daylight pass in the early morning hours.  Sunrise … Continue reading →

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ARISSat-1 Transponder worked 2 of 3 times I checked

Posted on August 7, 2011 by robert

Using 5 watts and low-gain omnidirectional eggbeater antennas on both the uplink and downlink, I had no trouble hearing my downlink signal at S8 (the noise is S2-3).  I did this experiment twice during low-power mode.  It’s a challenge for … Continue reading →

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