[FQP] [FCG] FQP Countdown Begins at N4EEB

[K0LUZ]

John,

When your friend was using the QRP transmitter,  when you listed,  was it
STARBOARD or PORT?   
(So much fun to pass it on)!

73
Red K0LUZ

-----Original Message-----
From: fcg-bounces at kkn.net [mailto:fcg-bounces at kkn.net] On Behalf Of John
Bayne N4EEB
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 6:32 PM
To: Florida Contest Group; FQP Mailing List
Subject: [FCG] FQP Countdown Begins at N4EEB

At 2100Z 23 APR 12 - the countdown clock started at N4EEB/M headquarters
with the traditional unsealing of the Hamstick storage canister.  This
cylindrical congregated tube, typically stored for a year in the N.E. corner
of the (MSS) Mobile Staging Structure (garage)- serves to product these
delicately tuned instruments during the year.  When the protective hood was
removed at 2110Z, the sticks were found in good repair, one still vibrating
slightly from last year's Hardee County pileup.  Words were said, and the
traditional team snack of Tostitos, Nutella and Mayonnaise was enjoyed by
all.

Tomorrow, the MOP (Mobile Operating Platform)retrofit begins by first
assuring that all critical fluids are inspected and/or replaced, and that
the four BF Goodrich Energy Transfer Devices are at FQP pressurization.
Once the all clear is given, the RF deck will be installed in the aft cargo
compartment.

Unfortunately, the FLLR (Forward Looking Lovebug Repellent) system
experiment has failed and will not be installed on the MOP this year.  The
idea was to project a hologram of Madonna in front of the windshield, thus
scaring off anything in the vehicle's path, but when the image was
projected, it caused various species of wildlife to commit suicide by
running in front of the vehicle thus becoming more of a problem than the
potential lovebugs would be.

The setup will basically be the same as last year, with a few borrowed ideas
gleaned from a lone surviving photo plate of Red's 1911 FQP mobile setup
that was saved from the great flood of '25.

The only new technology being employed is an Auto-Wicking Transgonder kit
that I just completed.  The idea was taken from an old issue of QST
addressing the advantages of "Noise Mode" communciations.  It occurred to me
that many of the back roads along the FQP route are plagued with QRN.  In
auto-wick PASSIVE mode, the noise is removed from the coax prior to the
first RX stage and stored in a capacitor bank.  At the end of the FQP, the
noise can simply be released back into the atmosphere by unscrewing the top
of the caps. 

In ACTIVE mode, the Transgonder senses the unwanted "signal" peaks between
the ambient RF noise and modulates the noise with a quasi-BFO and presents
it to the operator.  Testing this feature was an eye opener.  I had a friend
hook up a QRP transmitter to a dummy load and begin transmitting alternating
"dits and dahs" at five watts.  I listed on the my IC-7000 with the
Transgonder in ACTIVE mode as my friend slowly reduced the transmitter
power.  When his watt meter indicated zero watts output, I made note that
the noise in my receiver was a solid S-7 with no interfering signals
detected!  If any of the other mobiles would like me to modify your rigs,
bring them over and I will start work immediately.

Unfortunately with all that is going on here, I won't have time to post
additional updates.  I look forward to working everyone in the FQP and
meeting some of you on the road as usual. Please drive safe.  NOTHING is
worth getting hurt over.

Vy 73

John and Tracy
Team N4EEB/M






_______________________________________________
FCG mailing list
Send mail - FCG at kkn.net
Change/edit subscription info - http://www.kkn.net/mailman/listinfo/fcg
FCG Web site - www.floridacontestgroup.org Facebook -
http://tinyurl.com/4xw5jr7 DXCluster - telnet to k4fcg.dyndns.org