Scott,
First of all, this issue wasn’t at night, it was during the day when the temp got up to 82 while set far below it. Therefore, I think portable A/C units will definitely help, as long as the panel board (circuit breaker panel) will support them. However, I appreciate your observation that the T-stats are locked. Another issue we will have to resolve before next year. Second, there were no more computers there this year than last year, AND they were the same computers as last year AND the noise was clearly sounding like AC line interference, not like computers, so doubtful it was them. The electronic equipment was almost exactly what we used last year, with the exception that radios were all K3’s which were certainly NOT generating the noise. Reports from most operators was that the noise was much worse than last year. In addition, Nizar used a portable radio and we identified areas where noise seemed to be emanating from which hopefully we will be able to either turn off next year or, with Jeff’s help, positively identify and fix. Overthinking? I don’t think so. I think I thought just about right. Allen R. Brier N5XZ 1515 Windloch Lane Richmond, Texas 77406-2553 (281) 342-1882 (Home) (713) 705-4801 (Cell) From: Scott Royall [mailto:roy...@conchbbs.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 9:29 PM To: 'Allen Brier N5XZ' <n...@earthlink.net>; 'Jim Blanca' <ke8g....@gmail.com>; 'BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB' <bvarc@bvarc.org> Cc: 'Curt Fletcher' <dcurtfletc...@gmail.com>; 'NIzar Mullani' <mull...@tlite.com>; tdxs-l...@tdxs.net; 'Mike Hardwick' <n5...@att.net>; kd5...@arrl.net; wb5...@arrl.net; 'Doug Seyler' <djsey...@comcast.net>; 'Jimmy Vance' <jimmy.va...@gmail.com> Subject: RE: [BVARC] FD thoughts Am I the only one who noticed that the thermostat was locked on 78—and reading 78—until it automatically switched to 75 at 3 a.m.? Did we forget that Duhacsek Park, while being a spread I would've loved to retire to, is still run by the government? That means said thermostat is likely set to comply with governmental policy. Yes, I had a little “chat” with that thermostat during the wee hours of boredom Sunday, instantly discovering that it was a Honeywell unit virtually identical to mine. Those puppies are both programmable and password-lockable, which Duhacsek was. There’s also the strong possibility that, if you did bring in portable a/cs, you’d trigger the thermostat to turn on the central heat. That would depend on whether the thermostat is in “full automatic” mode as mine is, and what the setpoints are. Instead of trying to beat the system, why not simply ask the powers that be to unlock it? As for the interference, I suspect you’re vastly over-thinking the problem because it was present to a lesser degree last year too. Although the steps you list should help some, I think the crux of the issue is the mushrooming scale of the computer equipment you’re so reliant on. Please don’t believe me. Simply shut down everything except the radios for a short period after midnight next year and listen for yourself. From: Allen Brier N5XZ <n...@earthlink.net <mailto:n...@earthlink.net> > Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 18:57 To: 'Jim Blanca' <ke8g....@gmail.com <mailto:ke8g....@gmail.com> >; 'BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB' <bvarc@bvarc.org <mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org> > Cc: 'Curt Fletcher' <dcurtfletc...@gmail.com <mailto:dcurtfletc...@gmail.com> >; 'NIzar Mullani' <mull...@tlite.com <mailto:mull...@tlite.com> >; 'Scott Royall' <roy...@conchbbs.com <mailto:roy...@conchbbs.com> >; tdxs-l...@tdxs.net <mailto:tdxs-l...@tdxs.net> ; 'Mike Hardwick' <n5...@att.net <mailto:n5...@att.net> >; kd5...@arrl.net <mailto:kd5...@arrl.net> ; wb5...@arrl.net <mailto:wb5...@arrl.net> ; 'Doug Seyler' <djsey...@comcast.net <mailto:djsey...@comcast.net> >; 'Jimmy Vance' <jimmy.va...@gmail.com <mailto:jimmy.va...@gmail.com> > Subject: RE: [BVARC] FD thoughts For Field Day next year we will (or should): 1. Have Jeff Hoke from CenterPoint Energy come out several months before FD and then again several weeks before. 2. Locate the main antennas East<->West of each other to minimize interstation interference. 3. Route digital feed lines separate from CW feed lines. 4. Investigate the use of some portable A/C units. 5. Investigate the use of coax stubs to further reduce interstation interference. 6. KEEP THE SAME COOK! (Great job on food!) 7. KEEP THE SAME NETWORK GUY! (Great job on computers, networking, software, etc. We are really lucky to have you, Glen!) 8. Suggest either TDXS or BVARC purchase a new 2-el 40m beam. 9. Put CW antennas on highest manlifts. 10. Investigate the use of a manual switch to switch radios from mains to generator (to eliminate last minute confusion…or) switch radios to generator well before 1pm. 11. Make sure GOTA station operators know the rules. I thought this was one of our best Field Days yet, due to the new location (irrespective of noise). Hopefully we can work out the noise issues with CenterPoint or fix whatever is making the noise in the house. The house and the land were a big improvement over what we have had in the past. The participation by other clubs (especially KARS) was a big plus. We may need to make some more rules, especially with respect to moving headsets around in the SSB room…or make sure all are setup the same way. We also need a greater push with the SSB operators regarding operating technique to maximize rate (teach them to run). I am also dumbfounded and extremely disappointed in the lack of participation by other TDXS members. I suggest we make a push again for next year, but we need to start six months in advance so that they do not make other plans first. I know I have other thoughts and will express them as soon as they come to the front of my mind. Allen R. Brier N5XZ 1515 Windloch Lane Richmond, Texas 77406-2553 (281) 342-1882 (Home) (713) 705-4801 (Cell) From: Jim Blanca [mailto:ke8g....@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 4:39 PM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc@bvarc.org <mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org> > Cc: Allen R. Brier <n...@earthlink.net <mailto:n...@earthlink.net> >; Curt Fletcher <dcurtfletc...@gmail.com <mailto:dcurtfletc...@gmail.com> >; NIzar Mullani <mull...@tlite.com <mailto:mull...@tlite.com> >; Scott Royall <roy...@conchbbs.com <mailto:roy...@conchbbs.com> >; tdxs-l...@tdxs.net <mailto:tdxs-l...@tdxs.net> Subject: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts Like Scott, I had the over night shift. I started at the beginning and finished around 4:30 AM- 5:00AM, when Nizar came to rescue me! I went home and slept for a couple of hours, then went to Church. I returned about 1/2 hour before the end with my wife (KD8CMB) and tried to get her to work a little SSB. Alas, no luck, but she did sign in!! I did not do much of the take down, except move some tables and chairs, as my grandson decided to be born on June 25th, and he takes priority! We had his 7th birthday party at our place. Can you imagine a house full of kids, right after field day, and having only a couple hours of sleep!! I agree wholeheartedly with Nizar’s and Curt’s comments. I am somewhat dumbfounded at the lack of participation from the TDXS, as I believe there were approximately 6 of us in attendance, although I could be wrong on that number and just missed folks who came out on Sunday morning. 73 de Jim - KE8G On Tue, Jun 26, 2018 at 12:21 PM Scott Royall via BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org <mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org> > wrote: Happy that you enjoyed it. My experience was a bit different since I had the overnight shift, but I second your action items. -----Original Message----- From: BVARC <bvarc-boun...@bvarc.org <mailto:bvarc-boun...@bvarc.org> > On Behalf Of NIzar Mullani via BVARC Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 11:13 To: 'Curt Fletcher' <dcurtfletc...@gmail.com <mailto:dcurtfletc...@gmail.com> >; 'Allen R. Brier' <n...@earthlink.net <mailto:n...@earthlink.net> > Cc: NIzar Mullani <mull...@tlite.com <mailto:mull...@tlite.com> >; tdxs-l...@tdxs.net <mailto:tdxs-l...@tdxs.net> ; 'BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB' <bvarc@bvarc.org <mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org> > Sub: Re: [BVARC] FD thoughts Overall evaluation of the QUAD club FD would have to be 4+ out of 5. Great location, great teamwork and great people. Most importantly, the bands opened up on Sunday for a great ending. 3,000 QSOs considering that we had high noise on 40 and 80 meters and no propagation on 15 and 10 on Saturday, is a great score. So, thank you to ALL the organizers and the clubs for making this very successful. Here are a couple of suggestions to make it even better for next year. 1. Trace the noise generator prior to FD so we can reduce it. S9 noise on 80 meters made it almost useless. We could not hear most of the signals. 2. Locate the antennas so as to minimize interference between SSB, CW and Digital modes antennas. -----Original Message----- From: Curt Fletcher [mailto:dcurtfletc...@gmail.com <mailto:dcurtfletc...@gmail.com> ] Sent: Monday, June 25, 2018 7:20 AM To: Nizar Mullani; Allen R. Brier Subject: FD thoughts A few random thoughts on FD. For a few years I thought TDXS should break away and do our own FD, I’m wrong. There isn’t enough TDXS members participating to put up a tent, throw a rock over a tree with a long wire on the end. The BVARC and Katy guys really did a great job with just about everything hardware related. The current arrangement is perfect for all concerned, Glen and Allen organizing computers and radios, BVARC guys towers and antennas, Katy guys organizing, labor and sweat. New location is far superior to the fire stations. Obviously figuring out the noise issue prior to FD would be nice. Curt Sent from my iPad _______________________________________________ BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org <mailto:BVARC@bvarc.org> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Message delivered to roy...@conchbbs.com <mailto:roy...@conchbbs.com> _______________________________________________ BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org <mailto:BVARC@bvarc.org> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Message delivered to ke8g....@gmail.com <mailto:ke8g....@gmail.com> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> Virus-free. <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> www.avg.com
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