My Argosy station is packed away so I cannot help you with measurements,
sorry. I'm sure someone can measure for you, though. You may be able to get
a government grant to install a windmill to run your station.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick@DJ0IP.de>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 3:23 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
> Mike,
>
> It would be interesting to know: 1) how much current the digital Argosy
> draws in its default condition, and 2) how little it draws with as much
> switched off as possible, but still able to receive and transmit.
>
> I had the analog version and that was several years ago.
> As best I can recall, I got it down to about 150ma or so.
>
> 73
> Rick, DJ0IP
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Mike Hyder - N4NT
> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 2:37 AM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
>
> My digital model Argosy has a switch to turn off the display and possibly
> the whole counter circuitry. That switch has a set of unused contacts that
> can be used to switch off the meter lamp when the display is disabled.
> Mike N4NT
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick@DJ0IP.de>
> To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 5:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
>
>
>> John, for CW, just 20w is enough to work the world.
>>
>> I worked off of motorcycle batteries for about 18 years.
>> Sounds funny.
>> I worked portable using my motorcycles' battery for about 18 years.
>> Most of the time I had the Argonaut 509 and 405 amp (50w).
>> Later I had a Scout, then went to the Argosy (50w).
>> I never ran more than 20w CW, but for SSB I usually ran the full 50w.
>> That's OK, because SSB doesn't have as high of duty cycle as CW.
>>
>> You didn't say if yours is the analog or digital version.
>> Hopefully the analog version, because if you turn off its dial lamps, it
>> draws only about 150mA current on RX and you can literally run forever
>> off
>> of a small battery.
>>
>> I don't know why but most people always look at battery power under TX.
>> This is unrealistic.
>> The battery killer is the RX current. You need to get it as low as can
>> be.
>> Turn off everything you can, and use headphones. This will give you a
>> few
>> more hours of operation.
>>
>> 73
>> Rick, DJ0IP
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
>> [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
>> On Behalf Of John
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 9:20 PM
>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
>>
>> Rick,
>>
>> Thanks for the suggestion to use fishing weights to terminate the
>> radials.
>> It sounds safer as long as you don't chew the weights.
>>
>> I have an opportunity to make the trip this year. It is turning into a
>> grand tour as I have family between here and there and so I get to visit
>> along the way. If I am going to do it, what better excuse to try a
>> little
>> portable QRP or whatever. The Argosy will go to 50 W but I suspect that
>> might have an effect on battery life.
>>
>> John / WA1JG
>>
>> On 4/4/2012 1:18 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
>>> John,
>>>
>>> Another idea for securing radials is, instead of using nails, simply
>>> attach 4oz or 5oz lead sinkers to the ends of the radials (from the
>>> fishing supplies store). That is enough weight to hold them in place,
>>> without having to pound them into the ground. Also, if a pedestrian
>>> happens to catch his foot in one, it will move with him and not trip him
>> up.
>>>
>>> If you are not after squeezing every last fraction of a dB out of the
>>> antenna, I would suggest mounting the coil lower to the ground, about 4
>>> or
>> 5
>>> ft. high. That way you can reach it to change the taps.
>>>
>>> Important is to have fun! I never made it to a Ten-Tec Hamfest. I
>>> envy you being able to go.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Rick, DJ0IP
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
>>> [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
>>> On Behalf Of John
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 6:09 PM
>>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
>>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
>>>
>>> Rick,
>>>
>>> You found it. And yes, I do understand that it will be barely
>>> functional at
>>> 60 M. It does give me 10, 15, and 20 M so that would be nice break in
>>> the driving. The antenna only needs the coil for 60 m, 40 M, 30M and
>>> barely (1
>>> turn) for 20M, I am going to think about your
>>> suggestion for 40. But it is collapsible and I started with the
>>> premise that if I am going to the TT Fleamarket, I should bring a radio.
>>> I have the Argosy, and it works, I can find picnic benches
>>> between here and there. This antenna seems like a reasonable
>>> compromise and the Argosy dunna work so well without one.
>>>
>>> As to radials, I was thinking about 12 radials about 15 ft long.
>>> Attach 2 sets to each side of the base with a wing nut. Again, it
>>> isn't ideal, but should work reasonably well. I was thinking about
>>> getting a
>>> 15 or so 40 or 60 d nails to use as anchors. Maybe 20d nails might be
>>> better, or at least cheaper and easier to insert into the ground. I
>>> could crimp large rings on the outer end of each radial and nail it
>>> down, so to speak. At any rate, I do believe that 12 to 16 radials is
>>> the minimum to make the antenna play nice.
>>>
>>> At the very least,it is an interesting project.
>>>
>>> John / WA1JG
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TenTec mailing list
>>> TenTec@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>>>
>>
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