[Lowfer] Wm Beacon Update

[N8OOU]

List readers; I left the Beacon running overnight, and will have it off 
and on some today as I check the battery charge and solar panel 
placement.  I think it is ready to leave on the air now.

The list of things I changed include switching the P.A at the antenna to 
Gel Cell / Solar power.  I moved the antenna farther away from the metal 
buildings, towers, and other antennas. Except for my 160m leg of the OCF 
Dipole it is now at least 100 Ft in the clear. The tophat has been 
raised in height by 15 ft. or so, and a real ground system is in place 
with 8 radials ranging from 50 to 190 Ft. (No more extension ladder)

I have also re-worked the Low Pass Filter in the P.A. as sometime before 
Christmas several components failed. I'm not sure why, but inductors 
shorted and capacitors opened. A near by lightning pulse ---  static 
charge build up ???

This installation is still another temporary location in the plan for 
the beacon. I have a couple more antenna ideas to try in this location 
before moving it to it's permanent home in another open space on the 
property. I also want to construct a Mosfet Class E  P.A. amp to compare 
to the 2709/2222 in use today. The "winner" will go on to the final 
installation.

Thanks for reading and good listening.   Mike - OOU

-- 
73   de   N8OOU - Mike Meek