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| Last years shot of my planned location for today |
It turned out to be a fantastic day lots of sunshine and temperatures in around 23C. I was long over due and it was time to pack up the KX3 and go on an outdoor trip with the rig. I brought along the
Alexloop as well to give it a go outdoors. Part of planning is making sure you have all that you need for the trip and not just radio stuff. There is water, one of those chairs you sling over your back, hat and sunglasses without these the trip could be not as comfortable. I arrived at my "spot" that I have gone to in the past found a nice parking spot in the shade. I then proceeded to unpack the car but could not believe the amount of mosquitoes that were buzzing around me. If planning had been better repellant would had been on the list but in all fairness at this time of year mosquitoes were the last thing on my mind. It was now time for adaptability and move to another location.
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| New setup in town |
There is no way I could have setup and been comfortable with the bugs at this location. I was now heading back to town and to another location. This one was along the river in town and always has a nice cool breeze off the river. I found my spot and setup did not take long at all and there was a table that was available as well. The Alexloop was very easy to setup and very fast to get it tuned up on 14.060. The KX3 was set to about 2 watts output and so began my CQ's. About 15 minutes into the portable operation the KX3 went
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| All packed up. |
dead!! This has happen to me in the past with this radio and I knew exactly what is was! It was very poor planning on my part....the KX3 batteries were dead. Well not dead exactly but below the minimum voltage needed to operate the radio. That was the end of my out door adventure for the day and the radio is now at home getting it's batteries recharged. Monday is a holiday up this way and depending on the weather maybe I will give it a go on Monday.Going to have to look into a second set of batteries so I always have a charged set ready to go.
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| KX3 charging |
8 comments:
Hello Mike,
Sorry to hear about the batteries but will be looking forward to your next outing with the Alex Loop. I'm a stickler for simplicity too and am anxious to see how it performs for you.
72's...John
2w??? no wonder you burned off all your amps... Thats QRO for you...
Thanks for the reminder to include insect repellant in the radio bag again... Didn't need it (November-April) but now I guess its time again
I usually re charge the battery for the 817 every time I get home from the park so its always good for the next time I go out...
AlexLoop still working for you?
73bob
Sorry, Mike,
I sent the Skeeters to remind you about August. My little minions ..... BWAHAHAHA !!!
Sorry, I couldn't resist. Off is good, but I find that Avon's "Skin so Soft" has something in it that just seems to make humans invisible to skeeters, even better that DEET.
73 de Larry W2LJ
Good morning John, will see how today goes regards to time and maybe I will be taking the loop out for some RF exercise.
Mike
Good morning Bob, the batteries are all charged up now and ready to go. I am thinking about getting an external battery as well and use that as a just in case backup. As for the 2 watts I guess for me you could say that is QRO!
Mike
Good morning Larry, funny thing as the pests came out and started making a meal out of me the contest did come to mind. The location that I ended up going to in town is on the other riverside considerations for the up and coming contest in August.
Mike
There's a saying about the Best Laid Plans or something like that but not to rub salt in the wound I'll leave it be. :o) I hate when you get all ready and excited for an outing like that and something like dead batteries puts a halt to it. The mosquitoes this year seem to be worse than previous years. I don't know if it's the lack of spring we had or what but they are down-right nasty this year. Hopefully you got out on the Holiday Monday yesterday. -- cheers - Scott
Good evening James, I was on Ebay last night and ordered an external 12v 9600Mah rechargeable battery. It the internal batteries fail...next time I will plug in the external battery. As for the bugs I am going to have to pick up some repellent. Don't like using that stuff it's not good for you and greasy as well. Last year at this time I did not even consider bugs.....but plans have seemed to change.
Thanks for the comment James and have a good week!
Mike
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