Return-Path: Received: (qmail 27474 invoked from network); 30 Oct 2002 22:39:21 -0000 Received: from murphys.services.quay.plus.net (212.159.14.225) by mailstore with SMTP; 30 Oct 2002 22:39:21 -0000 Received: (qmail 27959 invoked from network); 30 Oct 2002 22:38:50 -0000 Received: from post.thorcom.com (193.82.116.70) by murphys.services.quay.plus.net with SMTP; 30 Oct 2002 22:38:50 -0000 X-SQ: A Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.10) id 1871T7-0005Sp-00 for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Wed, 30 Oct 2002 22:37:45 +0000 Received: from [212.135.6.13] (helo=smarthost3.mail.uk.easynet.net) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.10) id 1871T6-0005Sg-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Wed, 30 Oct 2002 22:37:44 +0000 Received: from tnt-1-171.easynet.co.uk ([195.40.206.171] helo=erica) by smarthost3.mail.uk.easynet.net with smtp (Exim 3.35 #1) id 1871T5-0007N5-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Wed, 30 Oct 2002 22:37:43 +0000 Message-ID: <002501c28064$eb2d61a0$abce28c3@erica> From: "g3ldo" To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org References: <000801c28039$8c6dea20$fa567ad5@main> Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 22:35:50 -0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Subject: LF: Dragons Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Spam-Status: No, hits=0.5 required=5.0tests=REFERENCES,SPAM_PHRASE_00_01,USER_AGENT_OEversion=2.42 Sender: Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group I had a similar experience to Mike this afternoon. While running the 72kHz transmission I noticed that the support insulator support cord near the loading coil had parted and the antenna was held only by the lead from the coil to the insulator. I found that the nylon cord had burned through. I switched off the transmitter and replace the coil with a length of copper wire to support the insulator. I use insulators kindly supplied by Dick, PA0SE. These are serious insulators some 150mm long (6 inches in old money) made of glazed ceramic. When I fired up the transmitter again there was a spluttering noise from the insulator with slight variations in antenna current. There were small dragons of sparks up to 40mm long snaking up and down the surface of the insulator, accompanied with puffs of steam (it was raining at the time). I think the problem is caused by salt, although it should have washed off - it had been raining all day. Since the storm the windows in the house are all coated with a salt layer. The wireless ops chore of cleaning the insulators, described in the Admiralty Handbook of Wireless Telegraphy, was necessary to remove dried salt. Obviously the same routine needs to be applied here. Many thanks for those who sent reports on the 72kHz transmission. I was using the three modules and was running just over 1kW to the antenna. Regards, Peter, G3LDO e-mail Web