Re: LF: WSPR Beacon -RIP

[Andy Talbot <andy.g4jnt@googlemail.com>]

Tthe electronic hardware is all fine - although the topband matching box sitting the bottom is a bit  Salvador Dali shaped

Just need to come up with a new housing.  And the real irony is, the old plastic dustbin that was OK for years as a weatherproof housing for the coil went to the tip only two weeks ago.

 

Looking at what burnt, I think it may have been bark chips underneath that caught alight from the high induction field.   Can't see any other reason why it started burning at the base, well away from any connections.    The bottom is completely burnt and melted, the shelf holding the coil just got hot, and nothing at the top where the HV is.   The previous system, in the plastic dustbin, had been sitting on concrete.   Might have got interesting if I'd stood that on the bark chips / foliage.

Andy
www.g4jnt.com

On 19 September 2010 12:38, Gary - G4WGT <g4wgt@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:

Hi Andy, LF,

Sorry to hear about the disaster, I hope it's not beyond repair.

Just for information, I was monitoring 136kHz WSPR from last night & still continuing this morning. Did not get any decodes from the QRP WSPR but when I read your mail I expected a decode from the higher power, certainly not a new heating system.

I will continue monitoring for 136kHz WSPR as often as possible.

I did get some decodes this morning from G8IMR & the signal was visible on my SpecLab QRS03 screen. Then realized it could be & was yourself.

Gary - G4WGT - IO83qo

On 19 September 2010 11:54, Andy Talbot <andy.g4jnt@googlemail.com> wrote:

Well, it was nice while it lasted.  Went downstairs and smelt smoke.   Heard a crackling noise coming from the plastic "shed" housing the ATU .   Opened the door, saw flames and melted plastic.

 

Two buckets of water before they were extinguished - plastic B+Q sheds burn very well

 

Goodbye antenna tuning cabin :-(

 

The loading coil and antenna survived.   My credibiilty didn't  :-(

 

Pictures will follow

Andy
www.g4jnt.com

On 19 September 2010 11:44, Andy Talbot <andy.g4jnt@googlemail.com> wrote:

Sinece theere were no reports of my QRP WSPR beacon last night two conclusions can be drawn :

 

a)   No One was listening

b)   Its too weak.

 

To resolve   a) ...... ??  Not a lot I can do apart from post this message :-(

 

But to resolve b), I've now fired up the big switchmode PA   http://www.g4jnt.com/137tx.pdf      

Generating about 600 Watts this will increase ERP into the region of  17dBm

(The WSPR message says 13dBm, but its lying. I've already run up and downstairs with the PIC programmer, and don't want to do it again)

 

 

 

Andy
www.g4jnt.com