Radio Society of Greater Bixby

Jim K5LE won the prize for most miles traveled from his QTH 8 miles North of Pryor OK, choosing a 12V 2A wall plug over a 1A USB charger. Brad WA5PSA chose the USB charger for bringing the most meters. Scott’s hamburgers welcomed us into the back ‘Party’ room set up with rows of deluxe wood grain Flea MKt tables and chairs where we displayed several LifePo batteries; some other items to be measured, and a Xiegu G90 20W HF rig brought by Deb K5DBE and Sam KJ5BJR.

Several digital Voltmeters agreed the 100Ah LifePo featured was right around 13.35V right then, (they tend to vary from 13 to 13.5 just sitting there depending on remaining charge). An old Radio Shack analog meter (with a needle and a scale) said 12.5 which is why you use a digital to determine max charge at 14.4 Volts.

One of Brad PSA’s digital meters wasn’t acting right, possibly due to a weak battery. An old faded red digital from Harbor Freight, bought back when they were 4 bucks instead of the current $7, showed 13.4 and then while you watched, 13.45; 13.5; 13.6; 13.7, and back down. It’ll be dissected (with a hammer) and brought to the next mtg for inspection.

We never did get around to calibrating all the meters against a stable Voltage (the LifePo), a known resistor of 1k; 12mA current or the 120V line., instead discussing towers, rotors, wind load, and how well the Xiegu G90 performs for it’s modest $465 price. Bring your meter to the next (Thurs 28 Aug) mtg and have it judged against others.

Where: Scott’s hamburgers in downtown Bixby, 08.28.2025, from 7-8 PM. Be early if you want to eat.