![\"2022](\"http:\/\/w4kaz.com\/qth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/arrl_pic.png\")
<\/a>2022 FD w4kaz 1B nc score<\/p><\/div>\n
The Setup and Station<\/h5>\n
I ran the Elecraft K2 this year at 75 watts, expecting to put in more operating time overnight than during daylight and wanting to stretch the battery.\u00c2\u00a0 At some point I decided to power the radio from the main battery, and use a smaller backup battery for computer peripherals.\u00c2\u00a0 This seemed to cause no problems, and helped keep the voltage up on the radio.\u00c2\u00a0 In direct sun the solar panels provided about 9-10 amps continuous to an MPPT charger.\u00c2\u00a0 The panels only got direct sun for about 3 hours though and were only providing 4 amps or less for most of the daytime.\u00c2\u00a0 The battery finished up at about 75%, so the solar assist helped.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The base station setup for 2022 FD w\/W4KAZ<\/p><\/div>\n
Saturday<\/h5>\n
WX Saturday was fabulous for late June at Kure Beach, NC.\u00c2\u00a0 Cool breeze picked up right about 1800Z. Conditions seemed mixed, and activity seemed down.\u00c2\u00a0 Not enough persistence in getting a run going despite seeing decent spot numbers on RBN.\u00c2\u00a0 Operating was a lot of S&P and band hopping.\u00c2\u00a0 20m was open late and 80m action never seemed to pick up in the early evening.\u00c2\u00a0 Eventually pulled plug for the evening before midnight.<\/p>\n
I decided to operate mostly CW to keep the noise down in the campground.\u00c2\u00a0 Not needed during daylight, but decided to respect quiet hours in park.\u00c2\u00a0 That plan was almost blown up by forgetting headphones.\u00c2\u00a0 So I used a pair of earbuds that usually ride shotgun with the computer.\u00c2\u00a0 I had a second set of buds, but audio was too low a level in those.\u00c2\u00a0 Could have made an emergency run to a local wally-mart, but decided to make do.<\/p>\n
Sunday<\/h5>\n
Got on the air again at 1000Z, and had one of my more consistent runs on 40m as the daytime crowd got back on the air.\u00c2\u00a0 Took a break after a couple of hours to scarf a hasty breakfast, then some more butt-on-bench.\u00c2\u00a0 The shack was a screen tent that was in full sun for the hours of 1530 to about 1700, so the battery fan helped a lot then.\u00c2\u00a0 Sunday WX was also good, but slightly warmer than Saturday.\u00c2\u00a0 The only decent 20m run spanned about 50 minutes during the last hours of the event.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Photo of screen tent shack and additional shade.<\/p><\/div>\n
The shack was back into full shade by the end of the event.\u00c2\u00a0 After a short break for a late lunch, the station was torn down and packed into a single tote, with some notes taken on items missing\/needed.\u00c2\u00a0 Everything to be re-used for IOTA again at end of July.\u00c2\u00a0 Copies of log files made.\u00c2\u00a0 Then a leisurely dis-assembly of antennas and parts of camp.\u00c2\u00a0 I kept the screen tent up for packing on Monday morning.<\/p>\n