DC power grid still runs in San Francisco

DC Elevator Motor

Fascinating bit of techno-history persisting in the modern day.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/the-smarter-grid/san-franciscos-secret-dc-grid .

In the early days (ca 1920) some hams could run their radios with the "B+" (plate voltage) coming straight from the DC power mains, saving money on expensive power supplies.  But if you needed high voltage for your transmitter's final, you might have needed a motor-generator (dynamotor). That would have been a big expense compared with an AC transformer/rectifier.

Least Helpful Message Yet

"...government officials are urging people to plan for the worst." (CNN Report, concerning NYC & Hurricane Sandy.)

As in the end of the world?  I'm more optimistic than that.

Antenna repair

Andrew from XX Towers inspected and adjusted the AA6E antenna farm today.  The SteppIR and mast are now pinned to the rotator.  No more windmilling unless something breaks!  We have a new Hallas-style 80 / 30 M sleeve coupled dipole, too.

So we are now officially restored after Tropical Storm Irene last year. Just.in.time.for.Sandy.  Grit teeth.

If this is the new climate regime in Connecticut -- one Tropical Storm / Hurricane per year -- I don't care for it.

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

I see that the Hilberling PT-8000A has replaced my Elecraft KX-3 on the top line of the Sherwood receiver test results.

The Hilberling commands about 17x the price of the Elecraft.  On the other hand, it is provided in your choice of five designer colors.

(tks I0GEJ.)

High Tech Infrastructure

Weil-McLain Boiler / DHW system

We've replaced our 30 year old oil boiler and hot water system with new 95% efficient natural gas equipment.

Bringing in the gas line from the street was a job, since we had to trench through granite ledge. Fortunately, the gas company was willing to do it on their nickle.

Our friends at Viglione Heating & Cooling produced a nice bit of industrial art in our basement.

Now we just have to count on a rising oil to gas price ratio and the passage of time (8 years?) to start making a profit. Meanwhile, we can feel green (less CO₂) and happy not to import oil -- but sad about dirty fracking. Nothing is simple.

And there's an on-board microcomputer to be hacked!

Need.More.Bench.Space

Reinventing Ham Radio? - Pogue

"You might think that we’ve exhausted every variation on electronic communication — text, audio, video — but you’d be wrong. A new one is quietly winning over millions of gadget fans. They’re free apps with names like Voxer, HeyTell and Zello, and they really do mess with the rules of the game."  -- David Pogue, New York Times

It's Ham Radio (e.g., D-Star) without the license.  Seriously,  Amateur Radio may need to lose some of its exclusive focus on FCC-licensed communications, to bring in a little new energy.

A New Leaf: QRP and the KX-3

The latest project is to put the Elecraft KX-3 through its paces.  The kit arrived Thursday afternoon.  Assembly was complete on Friday, and now we're on the air.  The preferred mode is 5 Watts CW, leaving a little headroom in case of "difficult conditions" (up to 12 Watts available).

The receiver is doing very well.  (See the latest Sherwood results.)  The transmitter is fine so far, but it gets some help from the 3-element SteppIR antenna upstairs.

First Q's: DK2SC (20 M), CT1EDJ (15 M)

It's very impressive how much functionality is compressed into this little box.  I calculate its volume is about 1/20th of the Ten-Tec Orion on the main desk. The Orion does deliver 8X the power, and it has a few other nice features, but I'm thinking how I could better use that desk space.