[PVRCNC] K4QPL IARU SOHP CW

[Jim Jordan K4QPL]

         Category : SOHP-CW only

 Default Exchange : 599 08

        Team/Club : Potomac Valley Radio Club


   BAND   QSOs     Points   Mults   Zones
 _______________________________________________________

   80CW       14      44       2         3
   40CW      141    439      18        12
   20CW      250    866      21        15
   15CW       71    229      14        16
   10CW       16     54       2         8
 _______________________________________________________

 Totals      492   1632      57        54


    Final Score = 181152 points.

Wait a while and Murphy will visit your shack, too!  Only did a part time effort earlier in the day. With a nice rate still going on 40 about 0230, listening on 80 and hearing some Eu coming in I was about to switch when the SWR in the exciter went crazy. A look at the amp confirmed all was not right. Grid meter was reading below zero and static plate current over 100ma with a cherry red glow on the 3-500Z. Pulled the plug and aimed a fan at it. Tried low power for a few minutes, but slow going to Eu and quickly got tired of playing NAQP on 80 so hung it up for another year.

Checking today it looks like the smoke escaped from the biasing zener on the filament tap. Hopefully I caught it quickly enough to save the tube. Does anyone know where to get a high-watt bulkhead mount heat-sinked 7.5V zener? Couldn't see any in Mouser and would rather not have to build a series of low power ones on a board. The parts department at Heath isn't available on Sunday....and I have serious doubts about tomorrow  ;^)   

73,

Jim, K4QPL