[UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....

[Tim Hugill]

Bob,

Not "off-topic" at all.  Without a reliable portable power source, the rest
of a portable contest effort can be compromised.

I asked a similar question a year or so ago, and ended up buying a new
3.5kVA "traditional" petrol genny from Stephill in Northants.
They generally use Honda engines on UK-made frames, so you get the benefit
of Honda reliability with UK backup.
They also have optional add-on AVRs at a price.
After buying that unit, I discovered another experienced contester had been
using the same model for a number of years quite successfully.

- BUT -
When I ran up my 6m LinAmpUK PA to deliver 400w, there was a significant
amount of "generator sag", as the genny took a little time to catch up with
the applied load.  I was initially a bit surprised by this, but others wiser
than me suggested that the problem was the EHT supply in my amp, and the
instantaneous load especially on CW, that was the cause.

If money is not an issue, maybe the inverter generators are the best
solution - or a 10kVA diesel ?
But for a traditional genny, I'd point you to Stephill.

73
Tim  G4FJK



____________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2012 17:54:00 +0100 (BST)
From: robert rushbrooke <rrushbrooke at yahoo.com>
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
To: "uk-contest at contesting.com" <uk-contest at contesting.com>

Slightly off topic but?I would be interested to hear what portable contest
stations are using in the way of generators and what equipment?it powers.
My club runs a single radio, Acom 1000 and a couple of laptops.

Regards,
Bob - 2E0KLO
rrushbrooke at yahoo.com