[NLRS] KK6MC and Eclipsemania

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

Besides dark lenses or filters like welding glasses, another safe way to 
watch a solar eqlipse is using a pin hole in an opaque material as a low 
efficiency lens to project the solar image on a handy white surface. The 
pinhole should work best if in thin material like aluminum foil, 
probably somthing about 1/32" or 1/16" diameter will work. Its easly 
tested and optimized any sunny day.

A glass lens can be too efficient at concentrating the solar energy and 
the image can over heat the surface its projected on.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 7/12/2017 11:33 PM, Richard Clem wrote:
>
>
> I'll be in Hastings, Nebraska, not for the 10 GHz contest, but for the
> eclipse.  I've been following the hotel availability situation for a few weeks
> now, so some of this information might be useful if you'll be there for the
> contest.
>
> As can be expected, everything within the zone of totality is booked solid
> Sunday night, the night before the eclipse.  I haven't been following the
> nights before that, but I did check North Platte, and it looks like there are
> still rooms available there Friday night for about $65, and on Saturday night
> for about $100.  I would strongly recommend making hotel reservations.  Until
> just a couple of weeks ago, reasonably priced rooms were still available in
> Lincoln, within the path of totality.  But the last one of those (at any
> price) is now gone for Sunday night.
>
> On Sunday night, rooms are still available in Omaha, which is about 50 miles
> east of the path of totality.
>
> Traffic will be heavy, but probably not as bad in Nebraska as in other areas.
> The worst choke points will be along major north-south highways.  For example,
> from Minnesota, I would not recommend taking Interstate 35 to Missouri,
> because for most of Minnesota, Iowa, and Oklahoma, this is the preferred
> destination.  Similarly, Interstate 29 will have a lot of congestion, but most
> of that will be quite a ways south of Omaha.
>
> Also, if you are going to be viewing the eclipse (or even if you're staying
> home), I encourage you to generate some some signals on HF, especially on CW
> or digital modes, during the eclipse QSO party, which runs from 9-5 Central
> Time.  This data will be analyzed for any interesting propagation caused by
> the eclipse.  I doubt if I'll make very many actual QSO's, since I want to
> spend most of my time watching the eclipse.  What I'll probably do is set up a
> 40 meter dipole, and periodically send some signals to be picked up by the
> Reverse Beacon Network.  80 or 160 would probably be more interesting, but 40
> seems like the best compromise between an easy antenna and possible
> propagation enhancement.
>
> I do have more information about the eclipse at my blog:
>
> Highway traffic projections:
> http://onetuberadio.com/2017/07/03/planning-for-eclipse-gridlock/
>
> Hotel availability for Nebraska, Missourit, and eastern states:
> http://onetuberadio.com/2017/06/20/eclipse-hotel-update/
>
> Eclipse QSO party information:
> http://onetuberadio.com/2017/07/12/eclipse-radio-experiments/
>
> Also, don't forget to get eclipse viewing glasses.  They're available at Radio
> City or AxMan for about $3, and also online.  If you need one pair, I can send
> them for $3 plus SASE, or $4 by PayPal.  If you need more than one pair,
> they'll be cheaper to order them from Amazon or other sources.
>
> TNX&  73,
> Rick W0IS
>
>
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