[PaQSO] Highlights (2 days later from Grumpy Acres)

Wed Oct 12 07:47:35 EDT 2011

100% agree with John on potential issues with noise due to the laptop and/or
its power supply.  Last year I tried out a new laptop and 80m was unusable
due to noise.  Sorted it out as noise from the brick power supply that came
with the laptop.  My temporary solution was that whenever I wanted to
operate 80m I would unplug the brick and run the laptop off of its internal
battery.  Eventually it needed to be charged again so I would plug in the
brick but then have to change to 40m where the noise wasn't so bad.

I contacted the laptop manufacturer and got no reply on the issue, no
surprise.

The brick is rated at 19.5 VDC at 7.7A (yes, pretty hefty!), and I didn't
want the same problems this year so I grabbed a lab supply from work, brand
new, figured I needed to "burn it in for about 24 hours" prior to use in my
new test set, and had to make one trip to RadioSlack to get the correct
sized DC power plug and some banana plugs.  The supply was nice and quiet
and definitely solved the problem!

Otherwise, I haven't used th IC-706, but N1MM is a great program which I
highly recommend.

Mark, NK8Q

P.S.  Looks like Ray may have topped my Mifflin County record that I set a
few years ago.  Hmm, I wonder if I should go back to Mifflin next year to
attempt to reclaim my record?  It is much closer to where I live now so
would be an easy drive down there to do that.  Or, should I go to Potter
County or one of the plethora of other counties that Ray currently holds the
record and attempt a new record?  Guess I have a while to think about it!
What do you think, Ray?  The gloves are off!

On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 6:09 AM, John Bednar <k3ct at verizon.net> wrote:

> Bob,
>
> There are no known issues with N1MM Logger and a IC-706. Read the Supported
> Radios section of the manual for the Icom control limitations with split.
> Send me a direct email if you have questions.
>
> It depends purely on the laptop computer, the amount of programs loaded at
> startup (known & unknown!), memory, RF susceptibility (antenna location,
> power), and what you do to eliminate RF from effecting the computer.
>
> I use a Dell D600 with 1Gb ram on Dxpedition trips and in a two computer
> contest network. When the log reaches about 9,000 to 10,000 Q's I can start
> to notice some minor logging and CW start delays. Once the CW starts, the
> CW
> is always perfect when using LPT or COM port CW.
>
> Any computer 1 GHz or faster and 512Meg memory should be adequate. If you
> have problems with this type computer, it's likely loaded with things you
> don't know about. Slower CPU computers that have fresh WinXp loads and at
> least 512Meg memory will work fine. There are many users still using slower
> computers with good results. If you will be operating the digital modes, I
> recommend 1GHz or faster. I would not consider a Win98 conmputer.
>
> You really need to test the station in advance. First using it at home and
> then in the car. You could end up with a noisy power supply.
>
> John, K3CT
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: paqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:paqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of BobbyC
> Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 9:45 PM
> To: PA-QSO
> Subject: Re: [PaQSO] Highlights (2 days later from Grumpy Acres)
>
> Hi there Mr. Grump, and the multitude of PaQP Party Goers!
>
> Always a pleasure reading the many postings on this reflector, and I of
> course look forward to the Grumps operating details to see in which county
> he set his latest record!
>
> If I read "had a blast" once, I read it 100 times!  Glad to see this is
> still one of the best contests going!
>
> There has been an unbelievable amount of craziness going on in my family's
> lives, and for the past 4 (or 5?) years, we have chosen to make this
> weekend
>
> a pure get-away, leaving the radios behind.  Having said that, I must
> admit,
>
> I really, really missed it this year!  I was constantly thinking about the
> 'test' - "well, they're on the air now", or, "I bet 80 meters is hummin
> right now", and "well it's Sunday afternoon, I bet it's kinda slow", etc,
> etc, etc.
>
> So, Lord willing and the creeks don't rise (the older ops have certainly
> heard that one) I'm planning to get back on the air next year portable from
> good ole Warren County.  Already looking forward to it!
>
> Quick question for you all - has anyone used a laptop with N1MM software
> into an Icom 706?  Just curious, as that's my planned configuration.
>
> Thanks for all the great stories folks, and stay warm over the winter!
>
> Take care and till next year - 73's.
>
> Bob, N3FR
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ray Bilger" <w3tdf at ptd.net>
> To: "PA-QSO" <PaQSO at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:56 PM
> Subject: [PaQSO] Highlights (2 days later from Grumpy Acres)
>
>
> > Hi folks,,Had a great time operating from MIF. Thanks to all who gave me
> > points.
> > Also, thanks to the Alpha Hotels who tried to QRM me off the air.
> >
> > I'll try to be brief.
> > Friday nite 3905 'laid-back' net showed a total of 32 check-ins with 22
> > different
> > counties and 3 sections reprsented. Thanks Goody for allowing me the
> > pleasure.
> >
> > Highlight #2 = After 22 years of operating portable in the PAQP, I
> finally
>
> > worked
> > Alaska. 20 meters was good to me this year. Missed NV out there, and VT
> on
> > this coast !
> >
> > Highlight #3 = Sunday afternoon, still needing JUN, when I worked
> > Ron-WA3IQJ/MIF.
> > I sez, "Where you goin next?",  and he sez "Juniata",  "Wow," sez I, "boy
> > Thats the
> > last one I need."  He says, "Well stay where you are (7236) and I'll call
> > you."
> > So, now my hearts all aflutter. I'm panting with anticipation.  I
> > continued to run the
> > frequency for about 40 minutes until he shows up. To make a long story a
> > little
> > less lengthy, I gave him the frequency, whoops, what I mean is I vacated
> > it, for him
> > to do his thing, but I listened.  P A N D E M O N I U M  !   Someone told
> > me later
> > that he made about 120 guys and gals happy.
> >
> > Totals for me, (approx) 925 Q's,  67 Co's, 62 Sec & DX. for about 169K.
> >
> > What's the dates for next year?  Who wants to flit coins with me for JUN?
> >
> > 73/88 all, and Thanks again
> > de
> > The Grump
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