N2NXZ 10 Meter Propagation Beacon

These were the first methods of wiring the blocking diode.

I am running out of configurations.This is the original way to wire the diode.This is the only thing I DID NOT copy from the plans from VELA CREATIONS. Pretty dumb on my part.I am hoping for positive results this time.

Direct quote from the designers of this mill using this motor/gen >

This manual is based on using a 260 VDC, 5 A continuous duty Treadmill Motor with a 6 inch threaded hub. For more information on how to pick a motor, or other parts, please read our parts section. We are getting about 7 amps in a 30 mph wind. In other words, it is a simple, cheap little machine to get you started.

You can see why I am still making the effort to get this working.There is no reason this thing should not be putting some charge into my battery.

Feel free to use my COMMENT page for anything you would like to say about this project,sloppy website or whatever floats your boat.

I had to make this video just to post this audio.No,the blades did not stop and go the other way.If you observe the closeup video,you can plainly see the blades appear to have stopped,but the center hub is actually still going CCW.So many people asked me that and it caused slow progress when troubleshooting my real problems.Just a quick note,some thought maybe the wind was not efficient enough to generate the charging power needed.Looking at my videos would make one think,"How much more do you need?

I was just informed the N2NXZ/B is once again dead due to no battery power.Three strikes and your out.This time the battery had lasted 1 week running the beacon transmitter.The temperatures have been very low all week.Using a rectifier diode as a blocking diode may be the issue.Now the battery has probably been damaged because of the discharges and cold weather.I will take a break from this and put the N2NXZ/B back on a good `ol AC outlet and power supply :)I will continue this project,but the beacon will be back home.The whole setup will have to sit there until I have time to get back there.Maybe a miracle will happen?Not likely.I would like to thank N2LQ for the final beacon report from the remote location.I want to also thank many from the beacon group for the support of the whole project and the patience.I have decided to keep working on it ASAP.73

Here is a new idea for operating a 10 meter beacon transmitter.Thanks to Paul,K6FRC for the photo and data.

OK.

Top of the photo is the JTech, bottom left is the PicCon controller, used as a leyer.  To the right of that is the Keyall board to interface the PicCon's grounding keying to the JTech positive scheme.  To the far right is the 7.5 volt, 2 amp voltage regulator.  The whole thing runs on 7.5 volts because it is most stable there, and the output runs cold.  Not just cool, actually cold.  Also, you can spot the added heatsink to the case anyway, just to make sure.  If you run it on 12 volts, the final runs boiling hot, no matter what you do.

Frequency of the one shown is 28.300 MHz. (crystal from International Crystal Mfg.).  Output power is 1.5 watts.  It will run a carrier 24/7 without ever getting warm, regardless of antenna load (or missing antenna). For mountaintop sites, the less maintenence, the better.

I built this one on 28.300 to sub as K6FRC/B1. Using one of the other boards,  I also have a crystal for 28.250 so I can build a backup beacon for K6FRC/B.

Paul

This transmitter is available here thanks to N1NTE>

http://members.cox.net/n1nte/jtech.html

Anyone see these before?Find some on 28.xxx mhz  or any other ham freq and there you have a QRP transmitter ready to go.TTL crystal oscillator circuit.I have tried some and they work pretty good @ 5 volts with about 50 mW out. Just 3 of 4 pins used-ground,power,antenna.Done.Matter of fact,this idea came from K7IRK QRP record holder.One time,I used 2 butter knives,cardboard to seperate them with a battery connected and used the knives as a keyer.I finally upgraded that idea into something much more HI-TECH  ( photo below)

New> I found this link.Looks like a new fun idea.

 http://members.westnet.com.au/page3/picaxe-08m_mimi_28mhz_beacon.htm

 WOW,Is that a D-1008 ?? Can you guess the parts used? :)

This time it looks as if a beacon signal is heard.Parked on 28.2278 mhz as usual,this just came up briefly.It could be slightly heard by ear this time.Very good program.

http://digilander.libero.it/i2phd/argo/index.html

And this was just heard @ 18:50 UTC.With good eyesite,you can actually see it is N8LGL.

 For live activity on 28.2278 mhz +/- Click here.Thanks to KC0TKS for his generous support.

Great to see the old stuff.Ironic that the top magazine is an issue to Signal Corps radios.I happen to have a BC-348-Q receiver.This is just something to share and are not for sale.Maybe I have an issue or article you remember?I will gladly email it to you.

Well,here we are again.Watching it spin.The digital multimeter was placed on this battery during this breezy day.Before the radio beacon and controller was turned off,voltage was reading 4.19 Volts.Obviously the equipment had already spent the power and was still drawing the battery to low levels.With the equipment completely off,the readings climbed to 9-10 Volts as the wind was blowing.This time I believe the battery may be damaged as it only lasted 1 week to the day the 3rd time around.It will be awhile before I get down there again.This thing will have to just sit there as before until then.With no draw from the battery and that mill spinning,maybe something will happen by the time it is tested again?Who knows.We wait again.Thanks to "Mom" for the excellent info.

Measurements of the battery @ 9:00 am EST on 12-15-08 read 11.18 Volts during wind, then the next day 12-15-08 it reads 11.31 Volts with no wind.Nothing but a mill,blocking diode and a battery connected.There does not seem to be much to operating these generators.Others say they have great results.Am I missing something here?I know the gen specs Volts/RPM/Amp.It is all here on my pages.I have been to a few of the most popular forums and getting a mixture of comments.Really tho,what more is to this thing?It has 2 wires out,positive and negative.The wind blows,power comes out of wires thru a blocking diode to prevent it from motoring then into a battery.Looks to be doing more than any other time however.We know from the first video it produces 16 volts in a very light wind.So far it has seen 10 times that.Whats up?Try another battery?New Gen?Next plan is to make aluminum blades and raise it up to 30 or 40 feet.

This is what the voltages looked like during these winds.Final voltage the next day was 11.31 without wind.The 4.19 volts in the earlier test (above) was when the equipment was  still on.So that was not an accurate battery reading.When it was shut off,the battery went to 10 volts and more.So I do not think it is SUPER CHARGING  by any means,but way better than any other time.Lets see what a week or so more will do.

Use my comment section for any suggestions,guesses or advice.

I just happen to be heading out to the Mill location monday.Looks like these winds today have taken its toll on this mill.Sure,its spinning as usual with gusts up to 50mph +.It will come home as to find out the issues.Finally see what the heck is wrong with this thing.Next time,I will make something that works with my own ideas.Here at home,the wind is violent.

Actual report today> 

Hi, for the heck of it i went up to mill to check battery.  Without wind it was 12.06 and when wind blew hardest it went up to 12.10 - 12.60.  Looks like windmill is bending on the pole tho.  enclosed is video.

The END ? ? ? Final turbine story >