[Lf] Lessons learned ?

[Andre' Kesteloot]

Mike Dennison wrote:

> I am quite sure, however, that you learned useful lessons for next
> time. With my LF portable expeditions to GW, I have got better and
> better because each time I came away with a long list of things I
> knew I had done wrong - it's true about learning from your mistakes.
> An expedition only fails if you can't think of anything you would do
> better next time.

Hello Mike,
Thanks for you very useful comments.
Incidentally, have you actually compiled a list of your field-trip mistakes?
Let's call them "lessons learned".  Sounds better. Mistakes, hmmmm, who makes
mistakes ?  We could all learn from your list.
We certainly did learn a lot from our mista... ooops, lessons learned.
For instance:
a) We will try soon to go to the top of a nearby mountain, much closer to
Washington, whence,  the other week,  WB5MMB and WB3KDU heard the Swedish VLF
station.  That can be done at the drop of a hat, whenever the weather is not too
bad, and the propagation appears promising.
b) We have also learned that in fact, the TenTec RX320, when modified along the
lines indicated by K0BRA, is as good as, or imperceptibly just below the most
expensive receivers that some of us own. Hence why carrying huge boat anchors
(even transistorized boat anchors are a pain to move and install).
c) in spite of what several British amateurs have mentioned on the rsgb_lf
reflector, our own experience here has been that e-field probes are as good as
(or as bad as) long wire with a tuner.  This was proved when we experimented at
NSS Annapolis, (now defunct) and again on the beaches of Nags Head last week
end.  Since e-field probes can be tested, tweaked etc. well in advance, and are
easy to erect, and long-wires are pains in the butt (specially when the weather
is windy, when it gets dark, when the local Gendarmes start asking questions,
etc.)
d) It is not enough to know a time and a frequency. We also need to know in
advance what to look for, in terms of duration , gaps, actual words or letters
being transmitted.
e) a couple of car batteries are very useful. Since most laptops nowadays
operate on 15 volts, need for a 24 volt to 15 volt regulator.  Get away from
using 12 volt DC to 120 v AC inverters, as they produce hash, etc.  The e-field
probes, the laptops and the TenTec Rx320 can all be operated from car batteries.

f) a 3-section, 7 meter (total length)  fiberglass telescopic pole, sold here to
paint ceilings, etc., makes an excellent support for an e-field probe. The pole
can be quickly raised and lowered, is flexible but sturdy, does not really need
guy wires for short term installations, and can readily be attached to the rear
of a va, truck, or simply, as in Nags head, attached to the hand-rail of the
cottage's balcony.

So what would you like to contribute?
73
Andre'


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