Tidbits from Saturday and a visit to a ham event.

For the 1st time in 15 years, I attended a ham event at the campus of the California State University Channel Islands, a mere 3 miles from my QTH.

A blog reader who lives in nearby Oxnard emailed me about the event and thus I went. I actually had an eyeball QSO with that ham and this was extra special since he follows this blog. 

On a visit to another booth, I spotted a booth person with an unusual "6" call sign badge as it was one of the 1st issued with the "N" prefix. I was then asked my call sign wherein a second person in the booth said I know who you are. Startling news to hear! Then this person went on to say he initially recognized my voice and then the call sign sealed the deal. This ham was a long-time listener to the SolderSmoke podcast and thus the connection. Small world and you never know.

I didn't stay too long as it was getting hot and no need to roast.

Worked a bit more with the AI program and with some trial and error, was able to determine the optimum bias level around -25VDC to yield an "Idling Cathode Current" of about 30-35Ma. TKT: measuring the Cathode current is a lot safer in any transmitter versus using a plate meter which automatically has HV on the meter terminals. But the Cathode current is the SUM of the Plate and Screen Grid currents. Thus, the actual Plate current value is less than shown on the Cathode meter.

The value of this most recent AI foray was to examine changes in the bias level and how that would impact the plate dissipation of the 12GE5 which is only 17 watts. Sure, you can force a lot more power out of the 12GE5 but risk tube damage by exceeding the 17 watts. Thus, the optimal bias is -25VDC and at that level the output is 25 Watts PEP with 5 watts input from the IRF510. 

After attending the ham event and the AI adventures, I spent some time on the Hybrid Wireless installing terminal strips with one array being power distribution and the second area around the 12GE5 to handle the RF Choke and Various Resistors. I also made a penetration in the bottom plate to feed RF to the Pi Network following the 1000pF 20KV, plate blocking capacitor.

Them that know can make things go.

73's

Pete N6QW