Special Event News – 7 July 2019
Contest News – 7 July 2019
Propagation News – 7 July 2019
News for Scotland – 7 July 2019
Why Balance Batteries – Specifically Li-Po’s?
A question was raised at the Club recently as to why we balance Li-Po’s and not cells such as NiCad or NiMh’s?
I certainly knew it was ‘done-practice’ in order to obtain maximum performance from Li-Po’s, but why not do the same for other battery types?
There is a good write-up in Wikipedia (click the graphic) as to why this is done.
And – the bottom line – it appears, that it could be done with most types of battery packs, which in the end would improve their performance and extend their longevity – just as Li-Po’s.
So now you know!
Edit 05/07/19:
Following on from some questions raised on our Members Forum #73 – HERE is some additional information about Active Balancing and associated circuits, courtesy of Analog Devices.
What Is A Dxpedition?
But what is the grace of transmitting from these places you would think because we could spend our lives without them and nothing happens.
What happens is that there are programs leading to the obtaining of diplomas such as the IOTA program (Islands on the Air) or the DXCC (Dx Century Club), the first one divides radio amateurs in Chaser or island hunters and in Activators or expeditionaries ( who perform the operations) if you wish to pursue and get these Awards (Diplomas) you will love knowing that a group of operators will put on the air a very elusive island that is just the one you need. In order to regulate the IOTA diploma program, a significant number of islands or groups of islands have been identified and numbered under the same name, for example: –
SA 018 Call area CE7 LOS LAGOS REGION SOUTH group (= Acui, Alao, Apiao, Caguache, Cailin, Caucahue, Chaulinec, Chaullin, Chauques Isls [namely Anihue, Aulin, Buta Chauques, Cheniao, Mechuque, Tac, Taucolon], Chelin, Chiloe, Coldita, Colocia, Deserters Isls [namely Ahullini, Chuit, Chulin,
Imerquina, Nayahue, Talcan], Dona Sebastiana, Guafo, Guapi Quilan Isls, Guar, Laitec, Lemuy, Liliguapi, Linacre, Linguar, Lin Lin, Lipipe, Llancahue, Llingua, Maillen, Meulin, Pelada, Puluqui, Quehui, Quenac, Quenu, Queullin, Quinchao, Redonda, San Pedro, Tabon, Teuquelin, Tranqui
More information on its website: https://www.iota-world.org/es/
The DXCC program, which is a registered trademark of the American Radio Relay League, is also a program of permanent diplomas that offers diplomas in different categories according to the number of entities contacted and confirmed, modes and types of operation (mobile and QRP, CW. , SSB, Etc.) The DXCC program maintains an official list of entities that may or may not be a country because for geo-graphical or political reasons some places count as a country, the case of Hawaii that despite being United States count as a different entity or the Chilean Antarctic or Easter Island that despite being Chilean territory count as different entities.
To qualify for some of the Awards (Diplomas of the DXCC program you must prove that you have contacted the entities indicated by physical QSL cards to check a Card Checker (radio amateur volunteers who check that everything is in order or electronically through the Logbook of the World (loTW)
Information about the DXCC program here: http://www.arrl.org/dxcc
Logbook of the World here: https://lotw.arrl.org/lotwuser/default
How a Dxpedition works:
The group of operators or operator will try to spend as much time as possible on the air and will transmit in all bands and so that their respective licenses, the regulations of the country and the technical aspects allow them. Its objective is to contact as many stations and entities as possible and will be available to all radio amateurs in the world who wish to contact them.
And how do you participate?
Well the main thing is to have patience, to STUDY and LISTEN A LOT before you start talking silly. Inquire on the expedition’s website about the bands and modes in which they will be active, and the dates between which the operation will take place. Help yourself with the reports of the Cluster to see if there are stations in your country that are making contacts, study the propagation reports for the date, listen carefully, normally the operators work in SPLIT when they have many stations calling them (they listen on one frequency and they transmit on another) do not do the crazy calling where there is no one to listen to them, have patience wait for your chance as the more powerful stations leave because they already “worked” the Dxpetition, when your possibilities increase. Many times the operators also divide and call with some requirement: for example Stations with Number 2 in the call, or callsigns, ending in M, or only South America stations, etc.
Some DX Clusters here: http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/ http://www.bcdxc.org/ve7cc/
https://www.dxfuncluster.com/
Propagation here: https://www.dxmaps.com/spots/mapg.php... http://lu4aao.org/propagation
The Kon-Tiki Expedition Used Amateur Radio
144 MHz and the WRC process
Snips – News For Scotland – 30th June
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society will be taking part in the 80m Club Championships on Monday. There’s a Solder Group meeting on Wednesday, and a hands-on evening on Friday. Details are online at wosars.club
Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club has moved its club night to Friday this week. Next Saturday and Sunday see the club on the air for VHF National Field Day, and next Sunday also marks the start of a week of activity days. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.
On Tuesday Dundee Amateur Radio Club will be having a club night with training. Contact Martin, 2M0KAU, on 07763 708 933 for further details.
On Wednesday Inverness & District Amateur Radio Society will have its net from 8pm on 145.575MHz and GB7BI slot 1. Contact John, GM0OTI, via email to InvernessRadioSociety@gmail.com for further information.
On Thursday Lomond Radio Club will be having a club night. Contact Barrie, GM4HEL, via email to gm0kzx@googlemail.com for further information.
Also on Thursday Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club will be having a kit review by Andy, GM6WAZ. Details from Clive, GM4FZH, via email to info@GM4RIV.org.
And finally, on Friday Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society will be having a club night, with tuition and radio operations. Further information from Joseph, 2M0JHY, via email to mlarsclub@gmail.com.
Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club is operating portable next weekend fir VHF NFD. Contact Norman, GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.