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  • [G3XBM] Lightning risks

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Sun Apr 24 16:17:45 2022
    XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.equipment, uk.radio.amateur
    XPost: free.uk.amateur-radio

    Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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    Lightning risks

    Posted: 24 Apr 2022 09:46 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/lightning-risks.html


    The chances (in the UK) of being hit by a direct lightning strike are (thankfully) low, but not nil. Many years ago a work colleague in a very ordinary house was struck and he had a lot of damage.
    More common issues are power surges of the mains supply when lightning and thunder are nearby.
    Perhaps I am paranoid, but if there is a threat of lightning nearby I
    unplug PSUs from their sockets and disconnect all antennas. If a power
    surge is around my gear is not going to experience it!
    Unless you have a very good grounding systems, it is very unlikely your
    gear will survive a direct hit.
    Now, I am no expert on lightning protection, so please make your own
    judgements on this by reading expert opinion. DO NOT rely on me!!
    See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

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    8m FT8 experiments (Sunday)

    Posted: 24 Apr 2022 02:28 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/8m-ft8-experiments-sunday.html


    Starting at 0841z, I was on TX for a period on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Now
    I am RX only. No spots given or received.

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    10m WSPR QRP TX (Sunday)

    Posted: 24 Apr 2022 10:38 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/10m-wspr-qrp-tx-sunday.html


    My gear, the 500mW W5OLF TX beacon, was turned on about 0840z. So far, 3
    spots from OE3XOE (1233km).
    UPDATE 1737z: 8 unique stations have spotted me today.

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    Sunspots - Sunday April 24th 2022

    Posted: 23 Apr 2022 11:25 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/sunspots-sunday-april-24th-2022.html


    Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 118. A=12 and K=2.

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    4 element Yagi for 70cms

    Posted: 23 Apr 2022 01:44 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/4-element-yagi-for-70cms.html


    Some years ago I was looking for an antenna for a 70cm contest to take out portable. It performed well with QRP SSB. Like similar antennas of mine, it
    was fabricated from an old metal coat hanger. It was a good match and used
    with my FT817. I still have this antenna in the back of the garage.

    See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/70cm-4el-yagi .

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    10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

    Posted: 23 Apr 2022 02:03 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/10m-qrp-wspr-tx-saturday_23.html


    As my 10m antenna is available, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from my
    W5OLF beacon. So far, just spots from local G4KPX (14km).
    UPDATE 1630z: 6 unique stations in 3 continents have spotted me today on
    10m WSPR.
    UPDATE 2100z: QRT.

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    8m experiments today (Saturday)

    Posted: 23 Apr 2022 02:06 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/8m-experiments-today-saturday.html


    My experiments on 8m carry on today. Yesterday EI9KP (649km) spotted me
    again. Whilst at home I shall go on FT8 TX but when out I shall be
    monitoring 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 RX.

    UPDATE 0925z: My TX was turned on at 0850z. Now RX only. No spots given
    or received.

    UPDATE 1625z: As I was out most of the day I was mostly on 8m FT8 RX. 3 stations spotted.
    UPDATE 2103z: QRT. No further spots today.

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    Sunspots - Saturday April 24th 2022

    Posted: 22 Apr 2022 11:25 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/sunspots-saturday-april-24th-2022.html


    Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 101. A=6 and K=2.

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