Re: [Swlfest] Emergency Power
*Ed, I use the simple poor man's method of making Faraday cages. A dead microwave oven is one and the other is a metal garbage can lined with foam, a tight lid and metal tape around the joint when the lid is in place. Both were hauled into town and a friend who is cellphone crazy helped me test them. A cellphone placed inside refused to receive calls and also a radio refused to work inside once things were sealed up. I'll always believe it works till it doesn't.* * John* On 3/11/2018 1:40 PM, Ed Cummings wrote: I'd really like to see a SWLfest talk next year about emergency backup AC and DC power, and voltage spike suppression (local and whole-house.) Maybe even a segment about how to cheaply shield backup radios and other electronics from destruction by a coronal mass ejection (CME) like the Carrington Event or an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP). There's plenty to cover here that applies to all of us whose passion for reliable access to information brought us together. Last weekend's SWLfest extended power outage was a reality check for us, but it's also a good opportunity to prepare better for such things in the future. Who in our group is most qualified and willing to present a talk on these topics next year? -Ed --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Swlfest mailing list Swlfest@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swlfest-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. For more information on the Fest, visit: http://www.swlfest.com http://swlfest.blogspot.com
Re: [Swlfest] Emergency Power
But be careful. When talking gas-powered generators. With the recent power outages here in the Merrimack Valley, a couple in Methuen suffered CO poisoning – the husband died, wife in critical condition, cat died, dog survived. Long story short = couple had two generators running IN THE HOUSE. Apparently there was no CO (carbon monoxide) alarm active there. http://www.eagletribune.com/news/haverhill/outage-claims-a-life/article_ffeea466-d409-550c-a7df-9365f8bf0090.html A few years ago – a family in Plaistow NH died because their CO monitor was going off. What a nuisance, right? So they pulled the battery out of it, no alarm, no problem? They all died. Greg From: Swlfest [mailto:swlfest-boun...@hard-core-dx.com] On Behalf Of Ron Hunsicker Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2018 11:25 AM To: Discussion list for the Winter SWL Fest Subject: [Swlfest] Emergency Power Eric's seminar suggestion is a good one. Related is surge suppression; a discussion of whole house (shack) surge suppression would also be very useful. Ron -- Ron Hunsicker 1238 Cleveland Avenue Wyomissing, PA 19610-2102 610-478-0371 ronhunsi at ptd dot net "Democracy dies in darkness" ___ Swlfest mailing list Swlfest@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swlfest-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. For more information on the Fest, visit: http://www.swlfest.com http://swlfest.blogspot.com
[Swlfest] Emergency Power
Eric's seminar suggestion is a good one. Related is surge suppression; a discussion of whole house (shack) surge suppression would also be very useful. Ron -- Ron Hunsicker 1238 Cleveland Avenue Wyomissing, PA 19610-2102 610-478-0371 ronhunsi at ptd dot net "Democracy dies in darkness" ___ Swlfest mailing list Swlfest@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swlfest-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. For more information on the Fest, visit: http://www.swlfest.com http://swlfest.blogspot.com
[Swlfest] Emergency Power and Lighting
Hello, The last Fest caused me to focus more on Emergency Power. The recent storms continue to cause Power Outages. Maybe portable power will be the subject of a talk next year? My past focus was more toward operating radios disconnected from the AC mains. I have a couple of flashlights at home to handle power outages. I also have an old fluorescent light camp lantern for an area light. There are a number of camping items that can be used for emergencies, like small pop-up LED lanterns. I am thinking of getting a couple of small pop-up LED lanterns that I could put in the suitcase and keep around for emergencies. I got a LED headlamp to put in the car and for fixing things in dark places. They are more handy for nighttime tire changing than trying to deal with a regular flashlight. I used to have an big maglite in my old car and did not bother to get a flashlight for my new car until now. I put a small LED flashlight in the glovebox and my suitcase. USB seems to be a popular power connector for low wattage connections. I carry an eight ampere-hour (8Ah) power bank with a USB connector in my laptop bag. I used it during the Fest to recharge my phone's battery. The power bank is recharged via USB. I also have a 5Ah one from the Radio Shack liquidation. Another camping item is a 40 watt LED bulb with a switch that connects to USB. An 8Ah power bank should power the LED bulb from four to eight hours. I also have an Aspect Solar Energybar 250 containing a 250Wh (20Ah) battery, 4 USB ports, one 12V output, and one 110VAC outlet. The Energybar can be recharged through an AC Adapter, DC Adapter, or Solar Panel. Unfortunately Aspect Solar is out of business, but other companies make similar devices. Anker is introducing the Powerhouse 200 with a 200 Wh battery this summer. So I am planning on updating my emergency lighting and putting the Energybar in the trunk when I travel. I will likely not face another power blackout at a hotel again, but it is best to be prepared. 73 Eric --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Swlfest mailing list Swlfest@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swlfest-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. For more information on the Fest, visit: http://www.swlfest.com http://swlfest.blogspot.com
