Sorry for any chasers I missed today. My batteries died as I was calling K7PX near the end of the pile @ ~2223Z. Looks like a LiPo battery pack failure. They were fully charged when I left, yet required recharging upon return for 10 min; most unusual. (1100mAH)
Thanks for those who chased. I’ve been gone for months recovering from a bone marrow transplant. First time on the air since late June.
Its good to be back and hear some old familiar and friendly calls.
Roger
ND7PA
I was hearing you easily for a couple of minutes and at the end as you called K7PX, and then you disappeared. I figured your antenna blew down, or whatever. I waited a while, because I’ve been on the activator end of these “drop-out” events a few times.
Not sure what your rig is, but 1100 mAH seems pretty minimal these days. I currently use a 3300 mAH, 3 cell 18650 Lithium-Ion pack, and it weighs only 5 oz. I use a KX2 mostly, and I often do two really long activations, each 3 or 4 bands at 10W out, with just one pack. Good, light battery power has never before been so easy to obtain.
In cold weather a larger battery may be necessary, depending on what your power drain is.
Actually, I use 1600mAh for my KX2/3 and 500mAh for MTR. And IMHO 1100mAh would be enough for my KX2/3. But agree that you might need to up those numbers a bit in very cold wx for longer activations.
Hi Roger,
I was scratching my head when you just dropped out after sounding so strong.
I called you several times thinking it might be deep QSB.
Good to know what happened.
And welcome back, looking forward to more contacts.
Sorry I missed you at the end. Further checking revealed that the batteries were fine, but the protection PCB has failed. I have ordered a new one and hopefully will get the pack up and running. I also ordered a new 1500mAh battery.
I run a ATS3 as my SOTA rig so 1100mAH pack powers me for quite some time. I done as many as 10 activations without recharging.
Thanks Steve. I hope to be activating more in the coming months depending on how things go with the doc. I’m sure itching to get back outside more. Take care,
Roger