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G6KUI > RADIO 21.11.06 20:58l 102 Lines 4098 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 12281_G6KUI
Read: DK5RAS GUEST
Subj: Re: KUI and dxpeditions(2)
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Sent: 061121/1615z @:GB7DBY.#23.GBR.EU NPF2.54c [G6KUI PMS Alvaston Derby]
Following on from my previous bulletin.
Power.
We use a (now aging) Honda EX500 two-stroke generator.
This is NOT the same EX500 that John G8MNY writes about.
This generator is very light weight - I can pick it up with just my
little finger - but wouldn't want to carry it like that !
It has a sinewave output 230V 50Hz constant. It uses inverter technology
to achieve this regulation.
There are 2 speed settings, one for upto 300VA and the faster for upto 500VA.
This is perfectly adequate to run 3 full stations each outputting a full
100W either SSB or CW. 3 laptops, and 3 lights.
It is very ecconomical on fuel , about 10 gallons for 2 weeks operation.
If you use a 2 stroke generator ( like we do for lightness) then don't
forget to take your 2-stroke oil with you. They don't like it running
without it.
The petrol ( without the oil ) is also used for the stove.
WE found that we needed some mains filters at the generator. This was
homemade and consisted of a boxed filter unit from some old computer plus
ferrite rings. Placing the filters AT THE GENERATOR stopped any problems
on reception.
Radios
TS50, FT100 etc. , small and compact and perfectly adequate. You don't
need all those bells and whistles when YOU are the DX.
Seperate lightweight ATUs- we use MFJ-971 - nothing fancy - they do the
job.
Power Supplies.
Now this is very important. DON'T take your thumping heavy high current
mains power supply.
Firstly you have to carry it and secondly it will play havoc with your
generator.
For each station use a 5amp max current limitting mains power supply.
I use an old Kenwood PS-10 that current limits at about 3-5 amps.
Across the power-supply output have a gel battery, I use a 7AH one.
This powers both the radio and the 12V flourescent light.
This setup provides 2 advantages - the load on the generator is
constant, low and steady - and secondly if (when) the generator runs
out of fuel , operation does not come to an abrupt end. It can be tended
to when convenient, operation can continue on battery alone for 30mins
or so.
Coax.
DON'T use heavy UR67 for HF and upto 6 metres. The thin, and light stuff
is more than adequate.
MASTS.
Remember you need to carry them, as well as transport them in the boat
and your car.
Use telescopic Aluminium ones if possible. On our last UK island DXPedition
we used one for the 80/40 dipole and also our 6M dipole.
A seperate one for our 2 element beam.
A short 2 section pluggable ( it was cut into 2 so as to fit into the car )
for our R5 - 5 band vertical. This mast needed to be high enough so as to
not poke your eye out with the radials in the dark.
Antennae.
An R5 that has been pre-tuned. The joins marked with tape so reassembly
is quick and easy.
The 6 metre dipole - a rigid one (foldable) pretuned at home.
The 40/80 dipole - homemade and pretuned on the mast that we would be using.
This consists of a homemade centre (paxolin) , insulated multistrand-wire
as used for housewiring, a paxolin seperator with crocodile clip for joining
the 40 metre section to the 80 metre section. The whole lot stored on the
drums that the wire originally came on.
A 3 band 2 element beam again modified for transportation with extra joints.
In fact it didn't get that much use, the R5 proved better in most
circumstances. Also a lot of work putting it together and getting it into
the air.
The R5 and 2 element were packed in ski bags for transpotation.
3 guys used on each mast and heavy-duty tent pegs at the end of each guy.
The dipole was an inverted-V with the ends to the top of a 3ft (garden) cane,
also from the top of this cane a short guyrope to a tentpeg in the ground.
You usually could (just) reach the crocodile clips to change bands.
The 40M section of the dipole could also double up on 15M.
Sometimes the 15M band was used by 2 stations at the same time without
any co-station interference.
Long mains leads were made up at home so the generator could be situated
at a resonable distance from the operating tents.
I hope that I have covered everything.
73, Pete G6KUI
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