[UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....

[ukcontest at btconnect.com]

FWIW....

I have used a 1200 Watt "Blue Spot" 4-Stroke Petrol "traditional" generator
for the last 8 years or so, both for Field Day style operations and around
the place.  Apart from an annual service, (oil, filters & plugs) the only
problem I encountered was a time when it was difficult to get running
smoothly and would stop. A new spark plug seemed to fix it, but the fault
soon re-appeared. 

Eventually I discovered that the auto throttle mechanism had seized, so when
the engine was started, it would run on auto choke for a few minutes, the
auto choke would dis-engage and the engine stall because the auto throttle
seized. Loosening the linkage nuts and greaseing up & re-assemble, soon
fixed that problem.

As I use the generator for SSB Field Day, it supplies an Icom 756ProII, , 2
x laptops and ancillary gear. Light for the shack is provided by a Tilly
petrol lamp. 

As the generator has a certain amount of "lag", when going from RX to RX
(rapid increase in power demand) I have a 100 watt light bulb hanging on a
post next to the generator. This puts sufficient load on the generator to
keep the rev's up so there isn't too much of a lag. 

My other observation is that the lower cost Switched Mode Power supplies
have difficulty in delivering power during these "lag" periods. I have
witnessed two Switched Mode PSU's fail during a contest because of generator
Lag.

I use a traditional linear power supply.

73

Adrian MW1LCR / GW9X