[KYHAM] KEN Training for October: Getting Ready for Winter

[Ron Dodson]

This month we have a double header from our training archive on getting 
your station, your home and car ready for winter. (Don't laugh, it will 
be here before you know it!)


73,
Ron, KA4MAP
SEC Ky


Winter Preparedness for Amateur Radio Ops. (YOUR STATION)
Anthony Whobrey, KY4SP

With winter approaching all too soon, now is the time to make sure your 
station’s antenna is ready for Mother Nature’s sometimes-severe conditions.

When checking your antenna system(s), pay close attention to outdoor 
feedline connections. Keep in mind that the more accessible connections 
will probably NOT be the ones that will fail in the midst of winter. Guy 
wires and anchors should also be inspected, including an important, but 
often overlooked point. Guy anchors tend to fail at a point 2 or 3 
inches below the surface; a small spade can be used to take a look this 
area. If you are not able to climb your tower, use a pair of binoculars 
to look over the upper sections. This is obviously not ideal, but should 
give you some idea of the overall condition of your feedline and 
antenna. The feedline should be secured to the tower often enough to 
prevent whipping or swaying in the wind. Finally, check for tree limbs 
near the tower or down guys. Ice and snow will add substantial weight to 
even a small limb, making it a potential hazard to your antenna system.

Users of wire antennas, such as dipoles or loops, might be able to lower 
the antenna for a close inspection. Make sure that the feedline is 
properly strain relieved at the feedpoint; the fitting should not be 
used to support the weight of your coax cable. Antenna halyards (lines 
used to haul up and support the antenna) should be checked. The heat and 
UV rays of summer will weaken many of the commonly used ropes, often 
after only a year or two. The halyards will need to be strong enough to 
withstand the added weight of snow and ice, along with the winds of winter.

After the outdoor inspection, check the antenna’s general performance (a 
good excuse for an hour or so of operation). Many antenna problems that 
are not externally visible will show up on your wattmeter. One notable 
exception to this statement is a wet coax cable, especially in 
applications on 144 MHz and higher. If your VHF station’s performance 
has gradually deteriorated over the past few years, remove the connector 
from the lower end of your feed line. Cut off a couple of inches of the 
coax outer jacket; if the braid or dielectric shows any trace of 
moisture, consider replacing the feedline. Any amount of moisture in a 
coaxial cable will greatly increase its loss, in BOTH directions; so 
many times the reflected power at the transmitter may be low. Don’t be 
disappointed when your new coax shows more reflected power, it will have 
greatly improved performance, since your transmitted (and received) 
signal will not be attenuated by water.

Your station is only as good as its antenna; don’t let severe weather 
render your equipment useless, just when it may be needed to keep you 
informed or to assist others.

Winter Safety and Preparedness at Home and in the Car
By Ron Dodson, KA4MAP

Old Man Winter has already started knocking on our door. Now is the time 
to ready our homes for winter, if you have not already done so.

Furnaces, wood stoves and other heating devices need to be checked 
before winter comes on full force. Chimneys need to be cleaned and 
examined for cracks and defects. This is especially true for chimneys 
venting wood stoves as creosote causes more house fires each year than 
are often realized. Back up heat sources such as "Kero-Sun" type heaters 
need to have their wicks inspected and possibly adjusted or replaced if 
they show excessive wear as these devices vent indoors they are 
especially likely candidates to release carbon-monoxide into your living 
environment if they malfunction. Be sure to keep only K-1 kerosene on 
hand to fill these heaters as 'fuel oil" grade kerosene will increase 
fumes and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

NOTE: K-1 kerosene is CLEAR with no discoloration of any kind. I had a 
bulk distributor last year try to tell me that the small amount of 
diesel fuel which had been run into my storage tank should not hurt 
anything. WRONG! I had two unusable heaters before I knew they had 
goofed and left me with pink fuel in the K-1 tank! This year I am 
checking the fuel after a fill up BEFORE using it in my heaters. ALSO 
consider buying a CO detector for your home. They are very inexpensive 
and well worth the money to protect your family! Gas furnaces, wood 
stoves and space heaters can all generate deadly carbon monoxide under 
the right conditions and injure or kill before it is discovered.

Back up electrical sources such as generators need to be checked and 
readied for use now before power failures strike. Have a safe place to 
store your supplies of gasoline and kerosene away from heat and ignition 
sources and ALWAYS make sure they are plainly marked in proper/approved 
storage containers. Kerosene if mistaken poured into your generator will 
keep the generator from functioning. Gasoline added to a "Kero-Sun" 
heater is a tragedy in the making!!! All extension cords need to also be 
checked for wear and replaced if needed. Electrical tape over damaged 
insulation is asking for trouble.

If you have not previously done so, begin taking advantage of holiday 
sales to stock up on canned goods and other items that do not require 
cooking. Likewise remember to store fresh or check existing stores of 
drinking water. Get your family preparedness kit into shape now before 
the big snow/ice storm catches you unaware. While you are at it, review 
your family disaster plan with all family members.

Check your vehicles to make sure that they are winterized and ready for 
sub-zero weather and adverse driving conditions. Now is a good time to 
get those new snow tires or all­season radials instead of waiting as 
many do until the weather forecast calls for a "BIG ONE" in a day or 
two. Don't forget to put some non-perishable food items, extra clothes 
and a blanket in your car in case you get stuck away from home and stores.

The holidays will soon be here and with them come decorating and 
festivities. When putting up lights and other decorations remember to 
check any electrical wiring for breaks and replace any light strings 
showing wear. Most holiday lights are under $10.00 and cost less to 
replace than would your home if a fire should be started from an old 
set. Be careful of live trees as they need fresh water daily and 
remember that their lights as well as any dehymidifiers etc. accelerate 
the process of drying out the moisture in the tree. I seriously question 
the ability of live trees that are set up indoors in early/mid November 
remaining safe through January 1. If you really get into Christmas and 
want a tree up that long, go artificial.

Plan ahead, prerpare and stay safe for the winter to come. 73