[MRCA] Todays M&S Net AAR

[Ray Fantini]

The goal was to take the M151A1 out of the garage, set up everything and participates in the M&S Net at noon along with attempting other QSO on different bands, also want to have everything ready for the Aberdeen event in May.

Resources:

Used the M151 just recently put back together after removing the engine and transmission to install all new seals and stop the never ending oil leaks.
The AN/GRC-106 HF Transceiver, VRC-12 FM transceiver with vehicle mounted antennas were used in addition used the twenty four foot push up mast with an inverted V antenna cut for 5357 The on board antenna would be used for all other bands.

Operation:

Got everything set up just before noon. M&S Net went with out issue. No problems hearing or being heard by any participating stations. Did announcement about QSY to 18.125 after net and did. Did hear traffic at 18.14 and 18.132 or so, did try calling CQ couple times on 18.125 but discovered that after a short period of time I was not transmitting. I discovered that when supply voltage drops too low the transmitter will not work properly.

Things learned:

Wanted to see  how long I was able to operate without running engine. Did run the engine for fifteen minutes prior to beginning of M&S Net but not after that. By the time I started trying to work on seventeen meters battery voltage indicator was in yellow and now know that voltage indicator needs to be in green for proper transmission. The receiver works fine but the transmitter will not tune in low voltage condition. Next time need to run the engine more often or add external generator to mutt. Had the VRC-12 in operation entire time and was occasionally keying to see what effect that had on battery life. Where GRC-106 wont tune but still receive the VRC-12 still worked but at reduced power.
May look into MEP-015 28 Volt Generator being I know where I can locate one that I can swap for my MEP-015 AC generator  and run all the DC stuff on the mutt from that located away from the mutt.
Also noticed that there is lots of activity up on seventeen meters, perhaps a additional cut V can be prepared for that band. Also need to investigate getting RT-834 to replace my RT-662 being looks like if going to do anything on seventeen you need the pack R/T channel that's at 18.157.5

Ray F/KA3EKH

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