I learned that the Meanwell 48 volt switching power supply I'm using for the SSPA doesn't like running off my 2KW Honda generator. When I'd first start a transmission the generator voltage sags a bit while the generator tries to speed up to handle the load. The power supply switches itself off much below 105 vac killing the amp. The generator speed up, the power supply comes on, the amp comes back on and the process repeats. A wild, scary ride!
The solution was to cut back the drive and lower the VDD to 45 volts to keep the output power of the SSPA around 700 watts for less initial load on the generator. Even then things were on the bitter edge.
Honda makes a cable set to parallel two 2 KW generators that will be the solution - that should get me back up to 900 watts output as I can borrow my friend's Honda generator for trips that go off mains power. I need that 1 db of extra power. :-)
Anyhow we had a restful time in the mountains and worked the following stations:
ES6RQ (-17), OJ0B (-25), EA4CYQ (-20), G4ZFJ (-22), OK1IL (-22), SM5CUI (-16), W5ZN (-15), PA3DOL (-25), K3RWR (-16), OH3KLJ (-24), UX0FF (-15), YL2GD (-24), UX5UL (-22), DK1CO (-20), UT6UG (-19), OH6UW (-26), PA1BVM (-23), F6HVK (-20), W1PV (-23), DL1VPL (-24), I1ANP (-20), PA0JMV (-17), SM4GGC (-25), F1DUZ (-25), DG1VL (-31), OK1RD (-19), DK3XT (-27), G4SWX (-24), KL7UW (-21), K5DOG (-19), N7NW (-25).
 |
| Looking south toward Yellowstone Park. Those two Yagis are small! |
 |
| That laptop computer never did hit the floor. A cozy ham shack. |
 |
| One generator for the amp, the other for the rest of the equipment. |
 |
| Nice signal from DG1VL. |