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    • Solar panel question

      Solar panel question

      KD3Y posted a topic in Ham topics in general,

      Hi fellas,

      Anyone know stuff about solar panels?  I know enough about them to know I don't know much about them.   I have one I bought at a flea market.  I googled it to make sure I was getting a killer deal and it's sold as a 20 amp, 12 V polycrystalline panel.
      Now when I got it home and put my meter on it, at night in the garage with two lightbulbs on the ceiling it measured 11 volts which is pretty darned good for just a couple of 60 watt bulbs 20 feet away.  When I checked in in the full sunlight today the meter read 21 volts.

      I went online hunting a charge controller for it, and I see similar panels that are 20 amp/24 volts.  I just want to make sure it't actually a 12 volt panel so I don't ruin a battery or fry a 20 amp/12 v charge controller.   I don't understand all the tech stuff but the sticker on it says,

      NOMINAL POWER: 20W
      POWER OUTPUT TOLERANCE: -0/+3%
      LSC: 1.30A
      VOC: 21.7 V
      IMPP: 1.20A
      VMPP: 17.3V
      MAXIMUM SYSTEM VOLTAGE: 600V
      MAXIMUM SERIES FUSE RATING: 15 A
      NORMAL OPERATING CELL TEMP: 45+/- *C

      I don't know what any of those acronyms mean, but I see 20 amp charge controllers range in price from fifty bucks to a hundred and fifty bucks.  Am I right in thinking this is a "regular" solar panel similar to my little 8 watt panel that I can connect to a 20 amp charge controller like this one here https://www.renogy.com/new-edition-voyager-20a-pwm-waterproof-solar-charge-controller/ and charge a regular old 12VDC flooded deep cycle battery?  I'd rather ask VS buying a $100 charge controller just to connect it up and "poof" it in a cloud of white smoke.
      • 8 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • A Ham in Her Own Right

      A Ham in Her Own Right

      NS7X posted a topic in Ham topics in general,

      In the US, for every 20 hams only 3 are YL's.  Why do you suppose that is?

       
        • Agree | Support
      • 12 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • Lightning risk

      Lightning risk

      K3MRI posted a topic in Base station,

      When lightning strikes a home antenna, several things can happen.

      Damage to the antenna: The immediate and most obvious effect is that the intense energy from the lightning can physically damage or destroy the antenna.

      Damage to connected devices: Lightning strikes can generate a significant electrical surge. If the antenna is connected to electronic devices in the house, such as a television or radio, the surge can travel through the wiring and damage or destroy these devices. It can also potentially damage other connected devices or appliances if it gets into the home's electrical system.

      Fire hazard: The intense heat generated by a lightning strike can ignite nearby flammable materials and potentially start a fire.

      Electromagnetic pulse: The lightning strike can produce a brief but intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which can damage sensitive electronics.

      Potential injury to people: If someone is near the antenna or using a device connected to it at the time of the strike, they could be injured by the electrical surge or by flying debris if the antenna is destroyed.

      For these reasons, it's essential to have proper grounding and lightning protection measures in place for antennas and other structures that are likely to attract lightning.

      As for unplugging gear…

      Yes, lightning can indeed damage a radio or appliance even if it is turned off. The extremely high voltage of a lightning strike can create a surge of electricity that travels through electrical wiring. Even if a device is switched off, the surge can still reach it through the power lines and cause damage. 

      This is why it's often recommended to unplug electronics and appliances during a severe lightning storm. Being switched off doesn't disconnect them from the power line, but unplugging them does. For extra protection, people can also use surge protectors which are designed to absorb the excess voltage and prevent it from reaching connected devices.

      How well protected are you?
      • 4 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • Sources of solar weather prediction

      Sources of solar weather prediction

      K3MRI posted a topic in Band conditions,

      As many hams are, I am keenly aware of the impact, both good and bad, the sun imparts on our ability to propagate signals. In thinking about this, I thought I would look around and see what was out there in terms of sources. By sources I don't so much mean those who simply interpret the data but more importantly those that truly observe the sun and give us evidence-based data.

      Here is a list, I'm sure you can add, if so, please do. Later, we should also add these to our Weblinks directory (in the propagation section): https://hamcommunity.com/links/category/3-propagation-solar-weather/

      Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC): The SWPC, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events. https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/


      National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): NASA's various missions like the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) provide continuous monitoring of the sun and space weather conditions. https://www.nasa.gov/


      Space Weather Canada: Provided by the Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre, this site gives updates on space weather conditions and their impact, including effects on communication systems. https://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/index-en.php


      Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ISAS/JAXA): JAXA provides real-time data on solar weather through their various space missions. https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/


      European Space Agency (ESA): The ESA's Space Weather portal aggregates data from several space weather observatories across Europe. https://www.esa.int/


      Stanford University's Solar Center: Stanford's Solar Center offers educational resources on solar weather, and its VLF group studies the impact of solar weather on Very Low Frequency radio waves. https://solar-center.stanford.edu/


      Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM): The Space Weather Services (SWS) division provides reports and alerts on solar weather and its effects. https://www.bom.gov.au/space/


      Royal Observatory of Belgium's Solar-Terrestrial Centre of Excellence (STCE): The STCE provides regular reports and forecasts on solar weather and its impact on Earth. https://www.stce.be/


      NASA's Integrated Space Weather Analysis System (iSWA): This is a flexible web-based system for NASA-relevant space weather information that allows the user to customize the layout of a wide array of data feeds ranging from the Sun to the Earth. https://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/
      • 0 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • What are the compliments or complaints for or against the ARRL?

      What are the compliments or complaints for or against the ARRL?

      K3MRI posted a question in Ask AI-4-HAM,

      I'm not trying to start a controversy but rather I'd like to see what the predominant feelings are regarding the ARRL in the hope that there can be an ongoing dialogue.

      Before asking AI4HAM and posting here, I'll bring your attention to some of the comments posted on Ham Census. Even without being registered, you can see some of them here: https://hamcensus.org/results-highlights-page/#samplecomments (to see all the comments you need to take the full census here: https://hamcensus.org)

      So let's as AI4HAM: What are the main complaints amateur radio operators have against the ARRL?
      • 10 replies
      AI4HAM

      Picked By

      AI4HAM,
    • VarAC

      VarAC

      K3MRI posted a link in CW & Digital Resources,

      VarAC is a FREE, modern HF P2P real-time chatting application for the amateur radio operator that leverages the glorious VARA protocol.

      Calling Frequencies
      Chat rooms & Nets
      (USB dial)

      Primary calling frequencies:
      20m - 14.105 MHz 
      15m - 21.105 MHz
      10m - 28.105 MHz
      40m - 7.105 MHz
      80m - 3.595 MHz


      Weekly Broadcast-mode chat room (Net)

      Sunday, 20M Slot-15 (14.108.750 Mhz)
      14:00-16:00 UTC

      Additional calling frequencies:
      160m - 1.995 MHz
      60m - 5.355 MHz (non-US)
      30m - 10.133 MHz
      17m - 18.107 MHz
      12m - 24.927 MHz
      6m - 50.330 MHz

      Amateur radio frequencies are a shared resource.

      They're not "ours" nor "theirs".

      Please be respectful and monitor the frequency before transmitting
      • 0 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • Radio stand

      Radio stand

      KD3Y posted a topic in Non-ham topics in general,

      I've been working on my radio stand the last few days.   The problem was I do a lot of nets at night and the buttons on my radio aren't backlit so I have to keep a little penlight on my desk.  When I need to make an adjustment I have to use the penlight.   Plus I have a small desk.  The radio will go underneath and the shelf on top will be for storage space, such as for my headphones.

      I made it out of oak.  I put louvers on the side for ventilation, not that I think I need it, the radio never gets very hot.  But it doesn't look so plain-jane with the louvers.  I think with 3 or 4 coats of gloss polyurethane it'll look nice.   The channels I routed in the underside are for LED's.  I plan to make a little shade out of brass with LED's to gently illuminate my radio face and they'll go in the channel across the front (white arrow) .  The long channel (yellow arrow) is for the wires for the LED's.  I'll run the wires in the channel then fill it with clear epoxy to make the wiring permanent.

      I plan to put some brass finials and brass rail around the top to match the time zone clock/lamp I made awhile back.  
       


      TOP AND SIDES


      TOP ROUTED


      TOP AND SIDES FITTED


      ASSEMBLED


      IN PLACE CHECKING FIT


      FIRST COAT OF POLYEURETHANE


      RUBBER ON THE BOTTOM FOR TRACTION AND TO PROTECT DESKTOP


      JUST NEED TO FIT THE LED's UNDER THE TOP FRONT EDGE AND PUT THE
      BRASS FINIALS AND RAIL ON

       

       

       

       


       

       

       
        • Agree | Support
      • 6 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • Marine Corps Marathon Hams - official site

      Marine Corps Marathon Hams - official site

      K3MRI posted a blog entry in Official Community Blog,

      Ham Community, a comprehensive platform built for and by amateur radio (ham) enthusiasts, takes great pride in announcing its role as the new hub for amateur radio operators volunteering with the Marine Corps Marathon. As the official website for amateur radio operators serving this prestigious event, Ham Community will be the hub for communication and coordination, fortifying the tradition of using amateur radio for public service and emergency communications.
      • 1 reply
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • FD 2023

      FD 2023

      K3MRI posted a gallery album in Field Days,

      ARRL / RAC Field Day 2023. If you have Field Day 2023 images feel free to upload them here.
      • 3 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
    • Fast Track Ham Education

      Fast Track Ham Education

      K3MRI posted a link in Education,

      Michael Burnette, AF7KB, started playing with radios at age 8 when he found some plans in a comic book for a crystal radio made from little more than a rusty razor blade, a safety pin, and a coil wound around the cardboard tube from the inside of a roll of toilet paper. The silly thing worked, and he was hooked. As a commercial broadcaster for 25 years, he did a bit of everything from being a D to serving as a vice president and general manager with Westinghouse Broadcasting (now CBS/Infinity.) By 1989 he owned his own stations in Bend, Oregon, which afforded him abundant opportunities to repair those stations, often in the middle of the night in a snowstorm. In 1992, Burnette left the radio business behind, and took to traveling the world designing and delivering experiential learning seminars on leadership, management, communications, and building relationships. He has trained people across the US and in Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Mexico, Finland, Greece, Austria, Spain, Italy, and Russia. In addition to his public and corporate trainings, he has been a National Ski Patroller, a Certified Professional Ski Instructor, a Certified In - Line Skating Instructor, a Certified NLP Master Practitioner, a big-rig driving instructor, and a Certified Firewalking Instructor.

      Kerry Burnette, KC7YL, was the original inspiration for the first Fast Track license course, which started as a set of notes for her to use preparing for her Technician exam. A graduate of the University of Washington, Kerry spent a decade teaching high school math and science and holds a Masters of Education degree.
      • 0 replies
      K3MRI

      Picked By

      K3MRI,
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  • 31 Your ideal antenna

    1. 1. You have a wide open field, the best transceiver, 1500 watt amplifier, unlimited funds, which antenna setup do you install for 20 & 40M? Pick your absolute favorite.


      • Dipole or doublet
      • Vertical with ground plane
      • Top-loaded vertical
      • Yagi-Uda on a tower
      • Quad
      • Magnetic loop
      • End-fed half wave
      • Other (discuss it in the thread)

    2. 2. You have a wide open field, the best transceiver, 1500 watt amplifier, unlimited funds, which antenna setup do you install for 80 & 160M? Pick your absolute favorite.


      • Dipole or doublet
      • Inverted-L
      • Vertical with ground plane
      • Top-loaded vertical
      • Magnetic loop
      • End-fed half wave
      • Phased array
      • Other (discuss it in the thread)

    3. 3. Given the choice, would you prefer to:


      • Buy an antenna
      • Build an antenna

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