Another aspect when selecting generator is to look at the regulation -
feedback system from increased load. When operating CW and SSB the duty cycle
is quite different when receiving and when transmitting. If using linear load
can go from abt 300W on receive to up to 3000W on transmit and with pulsating
type of load. Cheaper generators have mechanical regulators with slow
response. The result is drop in voltage and slow recovery. (Frequency varies
too with RPM)
Better generators (I have seen this on some Hondas) have a magnetic regulator,
where increased load picks up the "gas pedal" on generator engine immediately
with increase of current drawn. The "hickup" is less pronounced and output is
more steady. Filaments in transmitting tubes dont like lower voltages and
cathodes get stressed = shorter life. It seems that it is better to use
generator with higher power rating to improve regulation. I have seen
generators with mechanical flywheel (don't remember make) which handled
pulsating loads very well.
HIH
Yuri K3BU, VE3BMV
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>From Paul Knupke, Jr." <pk@ij.net Wed Jan 14 05:29:41 1998
From: Paul Knupke, Jr." <pk@ij.net (Paul Knupke, Jr.)
Subject: [CQ-Contest] New Contests, WARC, NAQP etc and the kitchen sink
Message-ID: <00ca01bd20ad$6ac26e00$f72b04d1@homepc>
WARC and Contests:
Not until we get more allocation on these bands. There just is not enough
room. If 17 meters were as big as 20 .. I could see a yearly 17M test being
quite interesting .. ala 10 meter test.
I've had some nice chats on 17 ... and its no where as crowded as 20.
NAQP:
I don't think there is time to put on two more. As much as I really like
NAQP, I think two is enough per mode.
New Contests:
How about a 10 and 15 meter Sprint? Make it four hours on a Saturday from
say 1PM Eastern to 5PM Eastern (9AM Pacific to 1PM Pacific) or something
like that. I know conditions can be terrible but they can also be really
awsome too.
I like these shorter contests, they easier to work because they don't wipe a
weekend away. I've always like NAQP (12 hours) and Sprints (4 hours)
because they don't eat up my entire weekend.
I also think it is key to keep equal amounts of CW and phone contests. Some
of us are phone contesters, and some favor CW. Some do both equally well.
Some do DX contests, some do domestic. That is what is so much fun about
contesting, the VARIETY. I personally prefer domestics (SS, NAPQ, Sprints)
as well as 10 meter contest (what do you expect? I live in Florida... --GO
FCG! (insert gratuitous plug...))
I do maybe three contests a year full-tilt-boogie and participate in several
others.
So whats my point? No WARC contests at this time, two NAQP is fine per mode
a year, I like short domestic contests and there is more to ham radio than
contesting (I need to work on my UHF repeater for instance...) (contray to
popular belief ... so I'm speaking blaphemy -- :-/)
73 and CU on the Sprints (or 442.15 103.5hz PL if you are ever in Tampa
Bay..)
de KR4YL
Paul
proud member of the Florida Contest Group!
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