Re: Topband: Yikes
Charlie, Wow! What an inspirational story! Somebody - Anybody, buy, get, borrow, trade, etc. and get Brandon an amplifier for that sacrifice! 73's, Freddy Curtis - W4WFC Smithville, TN On Fri, Feb 20, 2015 at 12:01 PM, Charles Otnott wrote: > > > > 73 & Best DX > > Charlie > WD5BJT > > See September 2006 CQ Magazine for a published work. > www.qsl.net/wd5bjt > Fellow Static Crash Lovers, > > Ham Radio is a hobby of learning, leading, and inspiration. > > We learn, mostly through Mentors, clubs, and other like-minded > individuals who share a love for this hobby. > > We, as Mentors, inspire others to challenge themselves to be > better in the aspects of the hobby that interest the Newbee. > > We inspire young people to enter the hobby to learn about > subjects like geography, the often quoted NASA core subjects > called "STEM", politics, tolerance for others, and the list > goes on. > > At my DX clubs annual DX Dinner this past December, Bob, K4UEE, > gave a presentation on FT5ZM. After the presentation, he talked > about the upcoming K1N operation. With his hat in his hand, his > team was presented a donation from our club for K1N. A youngster > of 11 years old, club member, DXCC holder, KF5NYQ, approached > Bob and handed him his amplifier savings fund. Young Brandon refused > to take the donation back. He stated that having the opportunity > to work a rare ATNO was worth the donation. He would try to work > them without an amplifier. Bob brought the story to the K1N team > and they were so impressed with Brandon, they asked him to be the > team's youth pilot. We always tell Brandon that school comes first. > > Myself and other DX club members are proud to be counted in the > ranks of this young DXCC member's Mentors. Check out the following > web site if you do not believe in the power of Mentors... > > www.k5gdx.org > > If donating his entire amplifier fund is worth the cost of ATNO > is worth so much to Brandon, then $6 is pocket change for most > of us. Let Brandon be an inspiration to all. Forgo the beer, > cigarettes, fast food fat fest, soda, or other vice you may have > once a month and you will be surprised how quickly $6 can add up. > > 73 & Best DX > > Charlie > WD5BJT > > See September 2006 CQ Magazine for a published work. > www.qsl.net/wd5bjt > > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > -- *William Freddy Curtis* *288 Dogwood Circle* *Smithville, TN 37166-2712* *Home: 615-597-9563 <615-597-9563> Cell: 615-691-1538 <615-691-1538>* *E-Mail = wmfreddycur...@gmail.com * _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
73 & Best DX Charlie WD5BJT See September 2006 CQ Magazine for a published work. www.qsl.net/wd5bjt Fellow Static Crash Lovers, Ham Radio is a hobby of learning, leading, and inspiration. We learn, mostly through Mentors, clubs, and other like-minded individuals who share a love for this hobby. We, as Mentors, inspire others to challenge themselves to be better in the aspects of the hobby that interest the Newbee. We inspire young people to enter the hobby to learn about subjects like geography, the often quoted NASA core subjects called "STEM", politics, tolerance for others, and the list goes on. At my DX clubs annual DX Dinner this past December, Bob, K4UEE, gave a presentation on FT5ZM. After the presentation, he talked about the upcoming K1N operation. With his hat in his hand, his team was presented a donation from our club for K1N. A youngster of 11 years old, club member, DXCC holder, KF5NYQ, approached Bob and handed him his amplifier savings fund. Young Brandon refused to take the donation back. He stated that having the opportunity to work a rare ATNO was worth the donation. He would try to work them without an amplifier. Bob brought the story to the K1N team and they were so impressed with Brandon, they asked him to be the team's youth pilot. We always tell Brandon that school comes first. Myself and other DX club members are proud to be counted in the ranks of this young DXCC member's Mentors. Check out the following web site if you do not believe in the power of Mentors... www.k5gdx.org If donating his entire amplifier fund is worth the cost of ATNO is worth so much to Brandon, then $6 is pocket change for most of us. Let Brandon be an inspiration to all. Forgo the beer, cigarettes, fast food fat fest, soda, or other vice you may have once a month and you will be surprised how quickly $6 can add up. 73 & Best DX Charlie WD5BJT See September 2006 CQ Magazine for a published work. www.qsl.net/wd5bjt _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Tonight K6MM told the NCDXC that LOTW is a few months down the road. Garry, NI6T On 2/19/2015 6:08 PM, Larry via Topband wrote: Ham radio is sure changing and not for the better. $6 for a QSL card is outrageous. are they posting the logs on LOTW? i wonder if those who kindly contributed to the expedition will have to pay for their cards? larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Doug Renwick To: topband Sent: Fri, Feb 20, 2015 1:47 am Subject: Topband: Yikes K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Let’s see. You likely have thousands if not tens of thousands invested in gear and antennas. You have a computer and a monthly ISP bill. And a monthly electric bill. These guys unselfishly invested their own time and a lot more than $6 each to give you the joy of an ATNO and band/mode slots. Did you donate to the project ahead of time? Do you donate to Clublog that has substantial costs but does not require you to join and that allows you to request your card via the bureau for free? Are you “thirfty” out of financial necessity? OK. You’ll get your card and LOTW eventually. Or is it just out of habit? So why even bring it up? Sympathy is in the dictionary between two words I won't repeat here. Steve WB6RSE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
It's a near miracle they finally got the permission to go. And then it cost an actual fortune to fund, even though it was relatively close. For the value that QSL represents, it's cheap at many times the OQRS price. 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: Tom Haavisto Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 9:36 PM To: Buzz Jehle Cc: TopBand List ; Doug Renwick Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes Hi Buzz I guess I am confused. K1N had significant expenses, and expecting the operators to cover all the costs - including QSLing does not seem right. Despite that, they are offering a low cost way for folks to obtain a QSL card. I think we both realize that is just the way it is. From the complaints so far, it does not seem to be the donors who are complaining. Yes - I made an up front donation, and I was very happy to do so to help make K1N happen. I also realize that does not fit into everyones budget. At this point, it is MY choice to send an SASE to obtain a QSL card, or to use OQRS for a faster turn around. Or - to not bother getting a QSL card at all, and just going with LOTW. I for one, am thrilled K1N happened, and it was a huge success. Yes - some folks went away empty handed, despite their best efforts. No one said there would be any guarantees up front... Please don't cry on behalf of the folks who donated to this operation. They did so with full knowledge there would be no guarantees of a QSO or QSL card after the fact. Please let everyone decide - for themselves - if they should use OQRS, LOTW, or any of the other options being offered to obtain a K1N confirmation. In closing - I would also like to point out that K1N is far from unique in the significant costs department. Several past expeditions, and many more going forward - also face significant costs. Just keep that in mind when looking for a confirmation. If you can help them - great. If not - don't cry for those that do. Tom - VE3CX On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 10:05 PM, Buzz Jehle wrote: When OQRS came up a couple of days ago it was $2 and they took it down and changed it to $6, a new high and low in Ham Radio as far as I am concerned. No consideration to donors is being made either it seems. Buzz N5UR On Feb 20, 2015, at 1:46 AM, Doug Renwick wrote: K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Hi Buzz I guess I am confused. K1N had significant expenses, and expecting the operators to cover all the costs - including QSLing does not seem right. Despite that, they are offering a low cost way for folks to obtain a QSL card. I think we both realize that is just the way it is. >From the complaints so far, it does not seem to be the donors who are complaining. Yes - I made an up front donation, and I was very happy to do so to help make K1N happen. I also realize that does not fit into everyones budget. At this point, it is MY choice to send an SASE to obtain a QSL card, or to use OQRS for a faster turn around. Or - to not bother getting a QSL card at all, and just going with LOTW. I for one, am thrilled K1N happened, and it was a huge success. Yes - some folks went away empty handed, despite their best efforts. No one said there would be any guarantees up front... Please don't cry on behalf of the folks who donated to this operation. They did so with full knowledge there would be no guarantees of a QSO or QSL card after the fact. Please let everyone decide - for themselves - if they should use OQRS, LOTW, or any of the other options being offered to obtain a K1N confirmation. In closing - I would also like to point out that K1N is far from unique in the significant costs department. Several past expeditions, and many more going forward - also face significant costs. Just keep that in mind when looking for a confirmation. If you can help them - great. If not - don't cry for those that do. Tom - VE3CX On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 10:05 PM, Buzz Jehle wrote: > When OQRS came up a couple of days ago it was $2 and they took it down and > changed it to $6, a new high and low in Ham Radio as far as I am > concerned. No consideration to donors is being made either it seems. > > Buzz N5UR > > > > On Feb 20, 2015, at 1:46 AM, Doug Renwick wrote: > > K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the > most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! > > Doug > > "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could > believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 > > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > http://www.avast.com > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Amen!! A bargain and I made a donation on top of that. Happy to get last one on mixed DXCC!! In a message dated 2/19/2015 9:23:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, w...@sbcglobal.net writes: A bargain at twice the price. Larry K5RK -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Doug Renwick Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 7:47 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Yikes K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
When OQRS came up a couple of days ago it was $2 and they took it down and changed it to $6, a new high and low in Ham Radio as far as I am concerned. No consideration to donors is being made either it seems. Buzz N5UR On Feb 20, 2015, at 1:46 AM, Doug Renwick wrote: K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
The K1N website says... QSL via N2OO: Navassa 2015 DXpedition c/o Bob N2OO PO Box 345 Tuckerton NJ 08087 "QSL methods: U.S.A. Direct: Minimum S.A.S.E. (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) World Direct: S.A.E. (Self-Addressed Envelope) plus minimum $2 or 1 IRC OQRS Direct and bureau: via CLUBLOG Regular Bureau: via N2OO c/o the W2 QSL Bureau LOTW: Sooner rather than later." 73 Dave NZ3M On 2/19/2015 8:46 PM, Doug Renwick wrote: K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Their website shows the various ways to get a card. The $6 fee is for ClubLog, which is very convienient. QSL methods: U.S.A. Direct: Minimum S.A.S.E. (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) World Direct: S.A.E. (Self-Addressed Envelope) plus minimum $2 or 1 IRC OQRS Direct and bureau: via CLUBLOG Regular Bureau: via N2OO c/o the W2 QSL Bureau LOTW: Sooner rather than later. - Larry K5RK -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Larry via Topband Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:08 PM To: ve...@sasktel.net; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes Ham radio is sure changing and not for the better. $6 for a QSL card is outrageous. are they posting the logs on LOTW? i wonder if those who kindly contributed to the expedition will have to pay for their cards? larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Doug Renwick To: topband Sent: Fri, Feb 20, 2015 1:47 am Subject: Topband: Yikes K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Yes - they will be uploading to lotw for free. You can get your QSL for the price of an SASE if you are not wanting to use the OQRS system (for USA hams). End of thread please. Tree N6TR On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 6:22 PM, Larry Burke wrote: > A bargain at twice the price. > > Larry K5RK > > -Original Message- > From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Doug > Renwick > Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 7:47 PM > To: topband@contesting.com > Subject: Topband: Yikes > > K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the > most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! > > Doug > > "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could > believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 > > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > http://www.avast.com > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
A bargain at twice the price. Larry K5RK -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Doug Renwick Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 7:47 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Yikes K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
On Thu,2/19/2015 6:08 PM, Larry via Topband wrote: Ham radio is sure changing and not for the better. $6 for a QSL card is outrageous. are they posting the logs on LOTW? Did you happen to see on their website what it cost them to BE there? 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Ham radio is sure changing and not for the better. $6 for a QSL card is outrageous. are they posting the logs on LOTW? i wonder if those who kindly contributed to the expedition will have to pay for their cards? larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Doug Renwick To: topband Sent: Fri, Feb 20, 2015 1:47 am Subject: Topband: Yikes K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Yikes
K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug "There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them." - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
HI, Carl! Well, I figured folks up in your area are next in line, and considering how quickly this has moved up here from the Gulf of Mexico I figured it wouldn't take too long to arrive up your way ad impact sopme of my lawyer friends in Hartford, CT. Laying in some fuel for the generator and hunkering down sounds like a good plan! Good luck and stay warm 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Carl Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 9:27 PM To: Charlie Cunningham; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC >From what I see on the forcasts I'll also be needing luck. Once the snow hits about 5AM the winds will be slowly rising with the temperature and once it hits about 31 it will be in double digits reaching the high 20 mph range which includes 6 hours of snow/ice thru the dark hours before the temps fall at Friday dawn as the winds shift. All in all about 14 hours of something falling until 7AM Friday and then 12 hours of warming up into the mid 40's before more heavy wet snow from another front from the SW. This could be a mess, maybe I'll get another 10 gal of gas early tomorrow before it gets really going, and then just hunker down. I got a feeling that all the utilities tree trimming the past 3 years isnt going to stop a lot of wires coming down. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: "'Carl'" ; Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 7:01 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow,freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC > Well, I expect that you are right, Carl. Perhaps I was in denial! I > haven't > had to deal with one of these in a long time! I should have gotten out > there > and dragged out the generator and fired it up and run a cable into > thehouse > before the bad weather got here. Perhaps I was complacent because during > last week's snow and ice storm my power stayed on and it wasn't so bad. > This > one is much worse! The last time I had to deal with one of these, I wasn't > so crippled > > Wish me luck! > > 73, > Charlie, K4OTV > > -Original Message- > From: Carl [mailto:k...@jeremy.mv.com] > Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:51 PM > To: Charlie Cunningham; topband@contesting.com > Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in > Raleigh,NC > > Hey, you had plenty of advanced warning this one was going to be brutal! > I hope you and anyone else in the path get thru it OK. > > The 2008 ice storm up here still shows plenty of scars and some of my > VHF/UHF long booms still arent repaired/replaced. Is easier to play on the > ground with low receiving antennas! > > Carl > KM1H > Survivor of the Blizzard of 78 > - Original Message - > From: "Charlie Cunningham" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37 PM > Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in > Raleigh,NC > > >> Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really >> coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit >> with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays >> on! >> I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out >> to >> the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I >> guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! >> >> Wish; me Luck! >> >> 73, >> Charlie, K4OTV >> >> P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? >> >> >> _ >> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband >> >> >> - >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14 >> > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > > - > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7088 - Release Date: 02/12/14 > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
From what I see on the forcasts I'll also be needing luck. Once the snow hits about 5AM the winds will be slowly rising with the temperature and once it hits about 31 it will be in double digits reaching the high 20 mph range which includes 6 hours of snow/ice thru the dark hours before the temps fall at Friday dawn as the winds shift. All in all about 14 hours of something falling until 7AM Friday and then 12 hours of warming up into the mid 40's before more heavy wet snow from another front from the SW. This could be a mess, maybe I'll get another 10 gal of gas early tomorrow before it gets really going, and then just hunker down. I got a feeling that all the utilities tree trimming the past 3 years isnt going to stop a lot of wires coming down. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: "'Carl'" ; Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 7:01 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow,freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Well, I expect that you are right, Carl. Perhaps I was in denial! I haven't had to deal with one of these in a long time! I should have gotten out there and dragged out the generator and fired it up and run a cable into thehouse before the bad weather got here. Perhaps I was complacent because during last week's snow and ice storm my power stayed on and it wasn't so bad. This one is much worse! The last time I had to deal with one of these, I wasn't so crippled Wish me luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Carl [mailto:k...@jeremy.mv.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:51 PM To: Charlie Cunningham; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,NC Hey, you had plenty of advanced warning this one was going to be brutal! I hope you and anyone else in the path get thru it OK. The 2008 ice storm up here still shows plenty of scars and some of my VHF/UHF long booms still arent repaired/replaced. Is easier to play on the ground with low receiving antennas! Carl KM1H Survivor of the Blizzard of 78 - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37 PM Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,NC Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7088 - Release Date: 02/12/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Thanks, Tom! That all makes sense! Come to think of it, the Briggs & Stratton engine on my 5500 watt generator maintains its speed well. I don't know what sort of feedback it uses, but it's effective! If I make a big load change, like bringing on a water heater, I can hear a "pitch" change but the speed remains constant. In the old days I've seen trucks and tractors used to run saws for cutting timber. I guess that sort of give awa y how old I am and what a "hillbilly" I am! :-) Take care down there! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tom W8JI Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 8:29 PM To: Charlie Cunningham; 'topband List' Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC > Gee, that should work great, Tom! How is the shaft rotatoion speed > controlled to maintain 60 Hz? > Tractors are like almost any other thing that has an engine and a manual throttle control, including lawn mowers. They have engine speed feedback that works like "mechanical ALC". It isn't like car or something that has an open loop system with a human stuck there pushing a pedal to regulate power with varying loads. If it didn't have that feedback system, a person would have to constantly adjust the throttle when mowing or plowing. I guess you could think of it like a cruise control, except unlike cruise it is the primary throttle and has wide dynamic range. Lawnmowers regulate the carburetor throttle plate with a connection to a flapper plate. Air from a finned wheel hits that plate. The plate works against a spring, and the throttle just changes spring tension. The tractors around here are a little more sophisticated, but same basic concept. They stay put pretty good. Within a Hz or so at the most. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Gee, that should work great, Tom! How is the shaft rotatoion speed controlled to maintain 60 Hz? Tractors are like almost any other thing that has an engine and a manual throttle control, including lawn mowers. They have engine speed feedback that works like "mechanical ALC". It isn't like car or something that has an open loop system with a human stuck there pushing a pedal to regulate power with varying loads. If it didn't have that feedback system, a person would have to constantly adjust the throttle when mowing or plowing. I guess you could think of it like a cruise control, except unlike cruise it is the primary throttle and has wide dynamic range. Lawnmowers regulate the carburetor throttle plate with a connection to a flapper plate. Air from a finned wheel hits that plate. The plate works against a spring, and the throttle just changes spring tension. The tractors around here are a little more sophisticated, but same basic concept. They stay put pretty good. Within a Hz or so at the most. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Well, I expect that you are right, Carl. Perhaps I was in denial! I haven't had to deal with one of these in a long time! I should have gotten out there and dragged out the generator and fired it up and run a cable into thehouse before the bad weather got here. Perhaps I was complacent because during last week's snow and ice storm my power stayed on and it wasn't so bad. This one is much worse! The last time I had to deal with one of these, I wasn't so crippled Wish me luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Carl [mailto:k...@jeremy.mv.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:51 PM To: Charlie Cunningham; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,NC Hey, you had plenty of advanced warning this one was going to be brutal! I hope you and anyone else in the path get thru it OK. The 2008 ice storm up here still shows plenty of scars and some of my VHF/UHF long booms still arent repaired/replaced. Is easier to play on the ground with low receiving antennas! Carl KM1H Survivor of the Blizzard of 78 - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37 PM Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,NC > Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really > coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit > with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays > on! > I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to > the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I > guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! > > Wish; me Luck! > > 73, > Charlie, K4OTV > > P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? > > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > > - > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14 > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Gee, that should work great, Tom! How is the shaft rotatoion speed controlled to maintain 60 Hz? I've been seriousl y considering installin a 25-40 KW generator with electric start and automatic fail over and transfer switch that would run off natural gas. No fuel or cranking problems and no need to go outside and struggle with it! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Tom W8JI [mailto:w...@w8ji.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 5:26 PM To: Charlie Cunningham; 'Gary and Kathleen Pearse'; 'topband List' Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow,freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC > I'll have to look into that, Gary! Mine is much bigger. I have a 25kW continuous 50 KW intermittent at the power pole. It runs from a tractor PTO. All I do is back one of tractors up to it and away we go. What I like about this arrangement is I don't have to exercise it. It is always in good shape, and I have three tractors if one won't run. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Thanks, Mike! Well, I guess I was in denial, perhaps. The last time we had one of these, I wasn't so crippled. I should have made my way out to the garage and dragged out the generator and run the cable to the house before the snow and ice started. But now. "I am where I am" and just have to do my best to make the best of it. I have a 5500 watt generator - enough to run everything OK if I do some intelligent load management. I lost power for 11 days after Hurricane Fran, and I swore "never again" and bought a generator! Take care up there! 73, Charlie,K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of mstang...@comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:14 PM To: Charlie Cunningham Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Charlie and All, We wish you the best of luck. I live in a heavily wooded neighborhood and used to lose power at least once a year. I also listen to the LF and the VLF spectrum as well as operate MF and HF. I bought a generator to power the refrigerator and the heating system in the winter. I can also operate my shack from 12 volt batteries. When things are stabilized I turn lemom into lemonade by taking advantage of the lower noise floor during a blackout amd do a lot of listening on the LF and VLF bands and some low power operating on 160 and 80. I lost power for 15 days after Sandy. The power company did extensive repairs and tree trimming after the storm. Since them we haven't lost power. Mike N2MS - Original Message - From: Charlie Cunningham To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:37:13 - (UTC) Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,NC Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Yes, Bruce, that's what happened to the 2000 ft WRAL-TV tower here some years back. They said that chunks of ice were coming off those gu y wires to the south the size of refrigerators. The unequal loading on the tower and the vibration of the guys was just too much and the whole structure failed! I was driving up to Raleigh from Smithfield on Highway 70 the next morning - and what a shock! There was no 2000 ft tower over there beside 70! Un believable!! 73. Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Bruce [mailto:k...@myfairpoint.net] Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 3:40 PM To: Tom W8JI; Bill Stewart; Charlie Cunningham Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow,freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Hope for cloudy days after the ice build up. Towers often fail when the sun heats the south guy wires. When the ice drops off rapidly, the weight on the north guy wires can pull the tower over. 73 Bruce-k1fz >> We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to >> sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country > > I have about a half inch of radial ice at the moment. The ropes for almost > all of my wire antennas have snapped, and the Yagi's all look like > noodles. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Hi, Tom! I just checked my junk mail folder and a LOT of messages have shown up there that don't normally go there, including msgs from Topband Reflector. Looks like you are bein hit pretty hard, but the weather service is callinfor 1/2 -3/4 inc of ice up here tonight, so I guess that you j ust got it ahead of us! I just was on the news that yo mi ght get as much as an inch of ice across GA! Yikes! I'l; bet yo'ur yagis are really mangled! Ice is awful!! Take care and stay inside and ride it out! I'd be happy if the power would stay on! I may have to resort tostayiongwrm by mg gas logs. I'm too crippled up at presen/t to make my way out the garage and fire up the generator and run a cable into the house! I should h;ave done that before the snow started! 73. Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Tom W8JI [mailto:w...@w8ji.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 3:20 PM To: Bill Stewart; Charlie Cunningham Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC > We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to > sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country I have about a half inch of radial ice at the moment. The ropes for almost all of my wire antennas have snapped, and the Yagi's all look like noodles. It smells like Pinesol disinfectant outside from all the broken pine trees. I'm not sure what is going to happen here. It is still raining and still at 31F here. We were predicted to be in the worse spot, but it looks like the worse ice spot in Georgia has moved to along the I-20 corridor out to Augusta. I expect antennas in southern SC won't do so well. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
You can always prepare for your own safety Eddy; cut down trees that imperil buildings and vehicles, have a generator already pretested and in place, chain saw ready and tested in case you need to cut your way to a gas station, etc For the 2008 storm we were without power 12-13 days I believe and my neighbor and I both had 4x4 pickups with plows and we cut and pushed a path for 2.5 miles off the hill to the main road. Others heard us coming and helped with a lot of the cutting but just 2 of us lived uphill and had the proper vehicles. It was a 26 mile RT to the nearest gas station that had power and we were the last part of town to get power restored due to the location and the way the utility had their work mapped out. Preparing antennas is tricky when depending on trees and wire to cooperate. All 4 of my towers survived and so did wire antennas using #12 copperweld. Light duty WD11A type Beverages werent so lucky as were many elevated radials. But living in sight of the ocean directly in line with a typical Nor'easter (we get them year'round) about 20-25 miles away that I can see from the 100' level of a tower means this is not an occassional occurance in Southern NH and residents are better prepared. Losing power 3-4 times a year is the norm from storms or drunks hitting poles which happened 6 days ago at 130AM at 10F outside. The genny was on in 10 minutes after I opened my eyes and didnt see the LED clock! Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: "Eddy Swynar" To: "Carl" Cc: "Charlie Cunningham" ; Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:53 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow,freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC On 2014-02-12, at 4:50 PM, Carl wrote: Hey, you had plenty of advanced warning this one was going to be brutal! You can NEVER EVER properly prepare for what hit us here, Carl---NEVER. ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
I'll have to look into that, Gary! Mine is much bigger. I have a 25kW continuous 50 KW intermittent at the power pole. It runs from a tractor PTO. All I do is back one of tractors up to it and away we go. What I like about this arrangement is I don't have to exercise it. It is always in good shape, and I have three tractors if one won't run. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
I'll have to look into that, Gary! Mine is much bigger. A little generator like that, I could keep in the house and pull out on the back deck when needed if it would supply enough power to run the air handler on my gas furnace and a fluorescent light or two, I'd be good to go! I'll check it out! Thanks! 73, Charlie,K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Gary and Kathleen Pearse Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:50 PM To: topband List Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC I keep a Honda EU 2000i genset (http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu2000i) in the house for emergencies. We (Fairbanks, Ak.) had a wind and ice storm in November.lost my 160 wires for a while, two trees hit the house, and another broke the power line for over a couple days. The little Honda was enough to keep the Toyo oil stoves going and lights available. On Eco mode they'll run a gallon of gas for 8-10 hrs easy. And they only weigh ~50# so can be carried about. It'll run a barefoot ham station in an emergency as well. 73 and hunker down folks, Gary NL7Y > Hi, Bill! > > Well, it's bad out there! Lots of gridlock on the roads and now the weather people are calling for 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of ICE! That WILL bring the power down. Don't' thimk I'm able to get my generator going, altho ugh it has bropu ght me through a few ice storms and a hurricane in the past but I'm too crippled now to; foo; with it! I'll just have to hunker down and hope for the best. I do have my gas logs. flashlights etc. > > If my ship comes in, I'd like to get a whole house generator with a transfer switch and electric start tho;at run's from natural gas but that doesn' help me right now! > > Take care and stay warm, Bill > > 73, > Charlie, K4OTV > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Hi, Doug and Eddy and all others! Well, sadly ice storms are more common than snow storms in North Carolina, Yes I've lost a few antennas to ice and wind. I lost my 160 inverted L when a hurricane tipped over the tree that was supporting the top wire. Worse though, was when tohe wind and ice took a big oak limb through the top of my little 40' tower and changed my self-designed, home brew, 2 el 5-band singe feedline quad to a 1 el 5-band quad! It was a wonderful kick-ass. "killer" antenna that I worked on in EZNEC for several months and did some really original ground breaking work on, that I've never seen published anywhere. I really miss it, but don't know that I'll ever be able to re-build it. Antennas are one thing, but right now the sleet has started on top of the snow - to be followed by freezing rain and a predicted 1/2-3/4 inch of ICE! So I'll be happy if my power stays on - but that much ice is likely to bring it down! I'm too crippled now to make it out to my detached garage and fire up the generator and run a cable into the house! Wish me luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Eddy Swynar Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 4:14 PM To: Doug Renwick Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC On 2014-02-12, at 3:58 PM, Doug Renwick wrote: > It's really a shame what that freezing rain will do to an antenna farm. I > wish that global warming was a reality in situations like this. I > fortunately rarely get ice storms of this nature and I thank God for that. > To see all your hard work taken down by nature is heart breaking. > Doug Hi Guys, "Welcome to MY world..." The freezing rain storm that we had earlier this winter completely devastated my wire antenna farm, by virtue of the heavy ice literally BREAKING supporting trees... I lost my north & east "L" elements in my topband array, my 160-meter half wave dipole, and my complete K89AY receiving antenna system. Just no spirit to get on 1.8-MHz right now---no way, no how... ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
On 2014-02-12, at 4:50 PM, Carl wrote: > Hey, you had plenty of advanced warning this one was going to be brutal! You can NEVER EVER properly prepare for what hit us here, Carl---NEVER. ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Hey, you had plenty of advanced warning this one was going to be brutal! I hope you and anyone else in the path get thru it OK. The 2008 ice storm up here still shows plenty of scars and some of my VHF/UHF long booms still arent repaired/replaced. Is easier to play on the ground with low receiving antennas! Carl KM1H Survivor of the Blizzard of 78 - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37 PM Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,NC Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
I keep a Honda EU 2000i genset (http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu2000i) in the house for emergencies. We (Fairbanks, Ak.) had a wind and ice storm in November…lost my 160 wires for a while, two trees hit the house, and another broke the power line for over a couple days. The little Honda was enough to keep the Toyo oil stoves going and lights available. On Eco mode they’ll run a gallon of gas for 8-10 hrs easy. And they only weigh ~50# so can be carried about. It’ll run a barefoot ham station in an emergency as well. 73 and hunker down folks, Gary NL7Y > Hi, Bill! > > Well, it's bad out there! Lots of gridlock on the roads and now the weather > people are calling for 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of ICE! That WILL bring the > power down. Don’t' thimk I'm able to get my generator going, altho ugh it has > bropu ght me through a few ice storms and a hurricane in the past but I'm too > crippled now to; foo; with it! I'll just have to hunker down and hope for > the best. I do have my gas logs. flashlights etc. > > If my ship comes in, I'd like to get a whole house generator with a transfer > switch and electric start tho;at run's from natural gas but that doesn' help > me right now! > > Take care and stay warm, Bill > > 73, > Charlie, K4OTV > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Hi, Bill! Well, it's bad out there! Lots of gridlock on the roads and now the weather people are calling for 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of ICE! That WILL bring the power down. Don’t' thimk I'm able to get my generator going, altho ugh it has bropu ght me through a few ice storms and a hurricane in the past but I'm too crippled now to; foo; with it! I'll just have to hunker down and hope for the best. I do have my gas logs. flashlights etc. If my ship comes in, I'd like to get a whole house generator with a transfer switch and electric start tho;at run's from natural gas but that doesn' help me right now! Take care and stay warm, Bill 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Bill Stewart [mailto:cw...@embarqmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 3:07 PM To: Charlie Cunningham Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Hey Charlie, We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country and on a well, so have drawn up some water, flash lights, oil lamps & gas logs at the ready. I have a geny too, but its pretty hard to pull in cold wx...makes me think more abt a whole-house Genrac. Guess we will also get abt 1/4-1/2 inch of ice. Hang tuff Charlie and any others facing this mess. 73 de Bill K4JYS Half-way 'tween Smithfield and Newton Grove NC - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37:13 PM Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
On 2014-02-12, at 3:58 PM, Doug Renwick wrote: > It's really a shame what that freezing rain will do to an antenna farm. I > wish that global warming was a reality in situations like this. I > fortunately rarely get ice storms of this nature and I thank God for that. > To see all your hard work taken down by nature is heart breaking. > Doug Hi Guys, "Welcome to MY world..." The freezing rain storm that we had earlier this winter completely devastated my wire antenna farm, by virtue of the heavy ice literally BREAKING supporting trees... I lost my north & east "L" elements in my topband array, my 160-meter half wave dipole, and my complete K89AY receiving antenna system. Just no spirit to get on 1.8-MHz right now---no way, no how... ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Charlie and All, We wish you the best of luck. I live in a heavily wooded neighborhood and used to lose power at least once a year. I also listen to the LF and the VLF spectrum as well as operate MF and HF. I bought a generator to power the refrigerator and the heating system in the winter. I can also operate my shack from 12 volt batteries. When things are stabilized I turn lemom into lemonade by taking advantage of the lower noise floor during a blackout amd do a lot of listening on the LF and VLF bands and some low power operating on 160 and 80. I lost power for 15 days after Sandy. The power company did extensive repairs and tree trimming after the storm. Since them we haven't lost power. Mike N2MS - Original Message - From: Charlie Cunningham To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:37:13 - (UTC) Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
It's really a shame what that freezing rain will do to an antenna farm. I wish that global warming was a reality in situations like this. I fortunately rarely get ice storms of this nature and I thank God for that. To see all your hard work taken down by nature is heart breaking. Doug "Think of all the ways you can hurt yourself laughing." -Original Message- > We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to > sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country I have about a half inch of radial ice at the moment. The ropes for almost all of my wire antennas have snapped, and the Yagi's all look like noodles. It smells like Pinesol disinfectant outside from all the broken pine trees. I'm not sure what is going to happen here. It is still raining and still at 31F here. We were predicted to be in the worse spot, but it looks like the worse ice spot in Georgia has moved to along the I-20 corridor out to Augusta. I expect antennas in southern SC won't do so well. --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Hope for cloudy days after the ice build up. Towers often fail when the sun heats the south guy wires. When the ice drops off rapidly, the weight on the north guy wires can pull the tower over. 73 Bruce-k1fz We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country I have about a half inch of radial ice at the moment. The ropes for almost all of my wire antennas have snapped, and the Yagi's all look like noodles. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country I have about a half inch of radial ice at the moment. The ropes for almost all of my wire antennas have snapped, and the Yagi's all look like noodles. It smells like Pinesol disinfectant outside from all the broken pine trees. I'm not sure what is going to happen here. It is still raining and still at 31F here. We were predicted to be in the worse spot, but it looks like the worse ice spot in Georgia has moved to along the I-20 corridor out to Augusta. I expect antennas in southern SC won't do so well. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Hey Charlie, We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country and on a well, so have drawn up some water, flash lights, oil lamps & gas logs at the ready. I have a geny too, but its pretty hard to pull in cold wx...makes me think more abt a whole-house Genrac. Guess we will also get abt 1/4-1/2 inch of ice. Hang tuff Charlie and any others facing this mess. 73 de Bill K4JYS Half-way 'tween Smithfield and Newton Grove NC - Original Message - From: "Charlie Cunningham" To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37:13 PM Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
On 02/12/2014 02:37 PM, Charlie Cunningham wrote: Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? I'm Sorry to hear people in the south are getting whacked again! I prefer to not have that kind of weather here but we are accustomed to it, equipped for it, and we know what to do. In some areas the buildings and homes are not built to tolerate that kind of weather and often sustain damage. Kind of like hams who build gear with no fuses..not built to tolerate. Best of luck to all of our friends. Hunker down and hang on. 73, Bill KU8H _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC
Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh! It's really coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get hit with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch! Hope my power stays on! I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to the garage and fire up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing! Wish; me Luck! 73, Charlie, K4OTV P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way? _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
