[UK-CONTEST] Portable generators

Thu Apr 5 12:29:49 PDT 2012

Hi steve. Could you tell us more about supplying the field from an external source? This sounds like a really good fix. Incidently I made a high power linear a few years ago with a choke input filter in the EHT PSU which performed well on a genny so I agree withhg you, the main culprit is the capacitor input filter. Dale G3XBY
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-request at contesting.com
Sender: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:00:10 
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Reply-To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Subject: UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 8

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 3 (Christopher Plummer)
   2. Re: Portable Generators.... (Clive GM3POI)
   3. Re: Portable Generators.... (Steve Thompson)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 14:09:38 +0000
From: Christopher Plummer <plummerc42 at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 3
To: <john at carltonhouse.eclipse.co.uk>, <g8xvj at btinternet.com>,
	<uk-contest at contesting.com>
Message-ID: <COL110-W13117988B4B8CE02FE838DD4330 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Guys,

Yes a great loss to VHF, only last Tuesday I was wondering whe he had got to as he was one of my regular contacts in UKAC events.  Condolencies to his family.

Chris G8APB

> From: john at carltonhouse.eclipse.co.uk
> To: g8xvj at btinternet.com; uk-contest at contesting.com
> Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 10:17:52 +0100
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 3
> 
> That's sad and unexpected .... he is in my log just a few weeks ago.
> 
> 
> 
> John G4ZTR
> 
> 
> 
> _____ 
> 
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of ERIK GEDVILAS
> Sent: 05 April 2012 09:58
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 3
> 
> 
> 
> G1SMI . Very keen VHF. just had a phone call that BOB sadly
> died at 5.15 am this morning in Southport and Ormskirk Hospital.
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: "uk-contest-request at contesting.com"
> <uk-contest-request at contesting.com>
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2012, 20:00
> Subject: UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 3
> 
> Send UK-Contest mailing list submissions to
> uk-contest at contesting.com
> 
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> uk-contest-request at contesting.com
> 
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> uk-contest-owner at contesting.com
> 
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of UK-Contest digest..."
> 
> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
> 1. CQWW (Mark Haynes)
> 2. Re: 50MHz UKAC Results (Roger Dixon)
> 3. Portable Generators.... (robert rushbrooke)
> 4. Re: Portable Generators.... (Robert Chipperfield)
> 5. Chinese Heliax look alike (Peter Burden)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2012 22:26:21 +0100 (BST)
> From: Mark Haynes <mark.haynes at yahoo.co.uk>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] CQWW
> To: UK-Contest <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:
> <1333488381.80227.YahooMailNeo at web171302.mail.ir2.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> Dear UK-Contest,
> ?
> I wonder if?anyone can help me. I'm keen?to operate in this years CQWW
> (pref. CW) from EA6/EA8/9H/5B4 or similar. Can anyone help? Perhaps you have
> a contact in one of these DXCCs that could host me.
> ?
> Please let me know by replying off list direct.
> ?
> Thank you.
> ?
> 73,
> Mark M0DXR
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2012 13:27:49 +0100
> From: "Roger Dixon" <lists at irdixon.plus.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 50MHz UKAC Results
> To: "'UK Contesting'" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <84AFB20796B248868649D51AEB705C07 at Chilldownstairs>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> The results of the March 2012 6m UKAC are now on the Contest Committee
> website at:
> 
> http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin//vhfresults.pl?Contest=50MHz%20UKAC
> <http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=50MHz%20UKAC> 
> <http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=50MHz%20UKAC
> <http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=50MHz%20UKAC&year=2012>
> &year=2012>
> &year=2012
> 
> 
> 
> The April 50MHz UKAC takes place at 2000 local time on Tuesday 24th April
> 2012.
> 
> 
> 
> 73
> 
> Roger - G4BVY
> 
> RSGB Contest Committee
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> 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>
> Message-ID:
> <1333558440.27733.YahooMailNeo at web29704.mail.ird.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> 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
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:13:01 +0100
> From: Robert Chipperfield <robert at syxis.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
> To: robert rushbrooke <rrushbrooke at yahoo.com>
> Cc: "uk-contest at contesting.com" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <4F7C811D.3060808 at syxis.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> Hi Bob,
> 
> We use a Kipor IG2600. It's a blatent cheap knock-off of the Honda
> range, but it does very well.
> 
> It's an inverter generator, which for those not familiar, means it has a
> multi-phase alternator generating DC at some indeterminate voltage (I
> seem to recall ~50V), and then a 230V sine-wave inverter.
> 
> First, the good bits:
> 
> Because output frequency is independent of engine speed, idling speed is
> much lower at low load, and with it noise and fuel consumption. 8 hours
> from a 4L tank of fuel is quite normal when not running a linear (but
> including lighting, computers, radio and so on, so probably ~400W)
> 
> Similarly, voltage regulation is *perfect*: running a Quadra linear at
> 400W on 6m on VHF NFD, at the end of 40m of power cable, we observed
> less than 2V variation in supply voltage to the linear. Compare that to
> the traditional generator we used which was exhibiting 40V swings as it
> struggled with the varying load. This means no need to "load up" the
> generator with flood lights or similar.
> 
> Power to weight ratio is excellent - you can lift it with one hand,
> whereas the traditional generator we used previously was a two person move.
> 
> Now, the bad bit: as supplied, it's RF noisy on HF. We first realised
> this in 2011's CW AFS, and had to struggle through S9 QRM as a result.
> 
> However, a GM3SEK choke (or better, two - low and mid band designs in
> series) immediately on the output of the generator worked absolute
> wonders - it's now S0-S2, depending on the band. We could probably do
> better if we experimented further, but that was declared "problem solved".
> 
> We also use a 1kVA Honda inverter, and that's RF silent, so no doubt
> there is an aspect of "get what you pay for", but we couldn't justify
> the doubling in price.
> 
> In terms of running linears, we happily ran a 400W 70cm amp and Quadra
> on 6m from the same generator in VHF NFD last year, and a 400W 2m and
> 100W 23cm amp from an identical second generator. Neither of them
> blinked all weekend, unlike the traditional one, which still couldn't be
> coaxed into life despite numerous strip-downs of the carb:
> 
> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/dnas2/5898168394/in/photostream> (evil
> thing in the foreground, two Kipors and Honda in the background, photo
> credit M0BLF)
> 
> Hope that's helpful!
> 
> 73,
> Rob, M0VFC
> 
> On 04/04/2012 17:54, robert rushbrooke wrote:
> > 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
> > _______________________________________________
> > UK-Contest mailing list
> > UK-Contest at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2012 18:24:31 +0100
> From: Peter Burden <peter.burden at gmail.com>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Chinese Heliax look alike
> To: UK Contest <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:
> <CA+g0+ocOQAB0Rg=dJg3+DR=RT26Cf6PvLwvLGE2Opk_j2vgxzQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> Does anybody know anything about Hengxin cables? UK suppliers, price and
> connector availability would be of obvious interest.
> 
> See http://www.hengxin.com/product_detail_e.php?id=25
> <http://www.hengxin.com/product_detail_e.php?id=25&type=0> &type=0
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> UK-Contest at contesting.com
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> 
> 
> End of UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 3
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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 14:19:03 -0000
From: "Clive GM3POI" <gm3poi2 at btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
To: "'M0RXX'" <stuart at m0rxx.me.uk>
Cc: 'David' <g3yyd at btinternet.com>,	"'UK-Contest at contesting. com'"
	<UK-Contest at contesting.com>,	'Derek Thom' <g3nks at blueyonder.co.uk>
Message-ID: <000e01cd1337$0d9e0040$28da00c0$@btinternet.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

I didn't mean electrically in series, it was just a term to say they are
ganged up together to get twice the O/P. Besides you buy a special cable to
do it with prewired. 73 Clive GM3POI

-----Original Message-----
From: M0RXX [mailto:stuart at m0rxx.me.uk] 
Sent: 05 April 2012 12:47
To: Clive GM3POI
Cc: Derek Thom; David; UK-Contest at contesting. com
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....

Clive
The gennies may be paralleled but NOT in series. If you do the voltage will
be 500 volts plus depending on the phase relationship.

Stuart Southern. 

Radio Amateur. M0RXX
First Aid Saves Lives.

Think - If a Cardiac Arrest happened where you are now - where would the
nearest AED be?

AEDs save lives..."The Resuscitation Council (UK) strongly recommends the
implementation of early defibrillation. Increased provision of early
defibrillation through the widespread deployment of AEDs is now considered a
realistic strategy for reducing mortality from cardiac arrest due to
ischaemic heart disease."

Sent from my iPad

On 5 Apr 2012, at 10:52, "Clive GM3POI" <gm3poi2 at btinternet.com> wrote:

> Derek, Those smaller Honda inverter type generators can be fed in series,
> with a link between them, hence getting higher output. I don't think you
can
> do it with the 6.5KVA Honda's. 73 Clive GM3POI 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Derek Thom
> Sent: 05 April 2012 06:59
> To: David; UK-Contest at contesting. com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
> 
> David,
> 
> Could you please expand on the phrase  "We used 2 Honda 2KW inverter 
> generators ganged together with an
> optional cable."?  I'm not sure exactly what you meant.  Thanks.
> 
> 73, Derek G3NKS
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David" <g3yyd at btinternet.com>
> To: "UK-Contest at contesting. com" <UK-Contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 8:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
> 
> 
> We, VARC, had an identical radio set up to your proposals for a 160m
contest
> last year. We used 2 Honda 2KW inverter generators ganged together with an
> optional cable. One of them we ran in eco mode (very mean on fuel burn)
> while the other we ran in normal mode. We found this worked very well and
> allowed us to turn off one generator when refuelling while carrying on
with
> the linear in standby. Most of the time UK outside air temperature is
above
> the flash point of petrol. I would never refuel a generator with it
running
> as the risk of a flash fire or even a fuel/air explosion makes turning off
> the wise thing to do.
> 
> If you want to refuel without switching off get a diesel generator.
> 
> The Hondas are expensive generators but the club has one and a member has
> one hence the ability to gang two of them together. Also using 2 meant if
> one failed we could carry on contesting without the amplifier.
> 
> 73 David G3YYD
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of robert rushbrooke
> Sent: 04 April 2012 16:54
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
> 
> 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
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
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> 
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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:15:21 +0100
From: Steve Thompson <g8gsq72 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Message-ID: <4F7DC519.6020606 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Basic gennys derive their field supply crudely from the output, 
expecting a resistive(ish) load such as lighting or motors. A big 
capacitor input PSU gulps hefty spikes of current just when the 
field can't support it so the output croaks.

If you modify the field to run from a dc supply, with feedback to 
keep the output volts constant (average over a few cycles) the 
performance is transformed.

Steve

GM3WOJ:
> Hi Bob et al
> 
> Just my 50p worth of comments on this interesting topic. I have a 
> conventional 2.6kVA pertrol generator, with only a crude 'mechanical 
> feedback' system of regulation on the Briggs and Stratton engine. It works 
> well, but is only capable of powering a single radio and valve amp to about 
> 500W o/p.

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