Topband: 160M Conditions de W0AH

[W0AH@aol.com]

Topbanders:

     We have had daily lightning storms in our region, in our state, and 
frequently in our yard the past month.  I lost three 13.8 V power supplies, 
three VHF mast-mounted preamps, and three rotar control boxes to nearby 
lightning in August.  The transceivers and power supplies were all  
disconnected from antennas and AC power, but I have lines running from the 
VHF mast mounted preamps to the 13.8V outputs of the power supplies.
  
     Unfortuately, when I hooked up the IC-706 to a 13.8V PS WITHOUT turning 
on the IC-706, I lost the IC-706 as the PS voltage regulator had taken a hit 
and the voltage was now 26 volts.  The IC-706 finals are connected to the PS 
voltage even when the rig is NOT turned on, a defiency in the design, if you 
ask me.  Luckily my FT-1000 is working OK.

      There has not been a single night when the almost continuous static 
crashes were below S-9.  On September 1, I heard the east coast working the 
Europeans and Asians.  I actually could copy G4BUE a little bit between 
static crashes and gave him one tentative call.  I also called KH6CC once, 
before QRN AND QRM covered him up that evening.

      Mornings, close to sunrise, have been better, of course, but still 
noisy.  This morning I exchanged 569's with Gus, KH2/K4SXT. I appologize for 
my CW.  The paddles I bought last weekend at a hamfest were not adjusted 
properly, and my CW sorta went crazy!  A few minutes later VK3ZL answered my 
CQ, and we exchanged 569's.  Thanks Bob.  I'm hoping the band will quiet down 
a bit in the evening this coming week.

Doug W0AH  central Colorado



--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/topband.html
Submissions:              topband@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  topband-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-topband@contesting.com