[NLRS] WA2VOI/R 432 MHz Spring Sprint

[WA2VOI, Donn]

Forgot to post last night.


Call: WA2VOI/R
Operator(s): WA2VOI
Station: WA2VOI

Class: Rover LP
QTH: EN34/EN35
Operating Time (hrs): 1-3/4

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 28  Mults = 5  Total Score = 140

Club: Northern Lights Radio Society

Comments:

All but 4 Q's local.  No FM Q's

Got the 736 and 10/100 W amp in the car about 2PM.  Battery power for quick moves.  Heard 
well.  Tested TX for over drive and power out.  NOTHING.  736 shut down. Cycled power, 
everything fine.  TX = shutdown.  Measured +12 input: 12.6v.  TX = shutdown.  Nuts.  OK, 
use the generator for 736 and use the battery for the amp w/AC charger on it.  Better 
anyway.

Tested TX... fine.  Amp keys up IRF-sensed).  ZERO output.  Duh !  Drive level set to 0 so 
not overdrive amp.  Adjust drive upward... a couple of watts output on the Bird (250w 
slug.)  W/drive at max, maybe 10W output. Measured output from 736 on Bird.  Changed to50W 
slug... yup, 10W.

Measured output from 736... needle wiggles (should be 1/2 scale on 50W slug).  736 meter 
says full output.  ???

OK.  Recable to use the car's 706MkII...about 10W out on 432.  YES !  About 80-90 W with 
12.6v battery.  Output goes to internal car cabling for VHF/UHF antenna which has an 
N-mount-to-SO-239 adapter for short cable to 11-el VJB beam.  Measure output at the 
antenna end of the (internal + adapter) cable.  WHAT ?  ~8-9 watts !  *(&^(^$#&^_

It's now about 4PM and I have things to do at 5PM.  Don't screw with it... just use an 
another cable and run it out thru the window.  NOW measure 70+ watts at the end of the 
cable.

Started out in EN34 near Cleveland and Larpenter.  Only really LOUD station is Gary, 
W0GHZ.  It seemed that the beam was ALWAYS pointed the wrong way.  Struggled until 8PM and 
then moved to EN35, stopping at home to change antennas.  Dropped the beam and used my 432 
Super-Wheel omni.  MUCH better.  Better reports, better RX.  ???

Not really happy with results, but I have identified several things that need fixing. 
Maybe before Fall Sprints ?

73 Donn
WA2VOI/R