We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?  (Read 48412 times)

Offline stendec

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 57
    • View Profile
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #345 on: July 26, 2021, 1754 UTC »
I'm not hearing Windy on KFS or any of the usual west coast SDRs this morning. Checked several times between 1600Z and 1730Z.  It's normally very reliable. Anyone else heard it today?

STENDEC
/ STENDEC

Offline stendec

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 57
    • View Profile
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #346 on: July 27, 2021, 2344 UTC »
Windy is back and sounding good on the west coast SDRs: TMP 106 B 12.6 with a good breeze, too.

It was silent for ~72 hours. I don't think it was propagation dropout since I still could hear the 4097.5 fast dasher and the slow dasher at 4096.2

STENDEC
/ STENDEC

Offline syfr

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 682
    • View Profile
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #347 on: July 30, 2021, 0026 UTC »
A battery voltage of 12.6 on Windy is good and surprising news!

When I was listening last week, I never heard it above 11.9.

Could it be that it was serviced?!
« Last Edit: July 30, 2021, 1149 UTC by syfr »
Kiwsdr x 2. TenTec Paragon/NRD535

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #348 on: July 31, 2021, 0456 UTC »
I believe that Windy is now running on some sort of rechargeable lithium based battery. Prior to the last time it was off the air it had lead acid battery voltage ranges being reported.

PS: I merged "Is Windy Off the Air" with this topic. No need for two threads about Windy's hiccups  ;D
« Last Edit: July 31, 2021, 1632 UTC by Teotwaki »
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline syfr

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 682
    • View Profile
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #349 on: August 01, 2021, 2310 UTC »
That's a good point Jim. Peak voltages are in the 12.3-12.6  (a 3 cell Li series string?) range now, rather than close to 13 like you'd expect with lead acid at the end of the afternoon of full sun .  It's been a long time (until very recently) since Windy was charged up to over 12.

To whomever responsible: Thank you!
« Last Edit: August 01, 2021, 2312 UTC by syfr »
Kiwsdr x 2. TenTec Paragon/NRD535

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #350 on: August 07, 2021, 0150 UTC »
Windy's signal strength continues to be good. I have a weak but readable signal on my KX3 here at home. The other day the anemometer appeared to be stuck and it was draining the battery. Right now the telemetry says  TMP 101  B 11.9
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #351 on: August 13, 2021, 0412 UTC »
Windy appears to be running the battery low again. Just now I heard the "S" (about 60 secs apart) and no other telemetry.
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #352 on: August 13, 2021, 1450 UTC »
Still sending "S" this morning, fair signal here at home
« Last Edit: August 13, 2021, 1453 UTC by Teotwaki »
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #353 on: August 13, 2021, 1534 UTC »
Windy is now sending "H" so that's a sign that the battery is getting some charge.
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #354 on: August 14, 2021, 1344 UTC »
Windy is again operating normally    :)

No breeze, TMP is  81  B is  11.9
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #355 on: August 14, 2021, 1915 UTC »
TMP is  103  B is 12.1      Slight breeze.

S4 on KFS SE kiwi
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #356 on: August 24, 2021, 2118 UTC »

TMP is  115  B is 12.1      Tickling breeze.

S2 on KFS SE omni
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline l0ngwire

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 83
    • View Profile
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #357 on: August 31, 2021, 0709 UTC »
I am listening to Windy at 07:00 UTC, and I believe the anemometer/wind speed gauge is malfunctioning.  When it gives the usual "W" character there is an about 12 second-long dash, instead of the usual "dit" or "dits".  (Or is this normal when there is no wind?)

Voltage is 11.7v and temperature is 84 degrees.

--Leigh in Santa Barbara, Calif.

07:20 UTC update--the dits have returned after the W character.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2021, 0721 UTC by l0ngwire »

Offline Teotwaki

  • Moderator
  • DXing Phenomena
  • *****
  • Posts: 3111
  • California
    • View Profile
    • My adventures are at Sun To The North
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #358 on: August 31, 2021, 1306 UTC »
I believe it to be a small design defect in a beacon that has been around for years.

My guess:

Each time the anemometer turns 360 degrees a small switch or optical interrupter is triggered and “blips” the transmit control line. There is no one-shot timer to buffer things and limit the maximum duration of the “blip”.

Every so often the breeze is so faint the wind cups can’t generate enough force to push through the interrupter and the transmitter stays keyed on. Ultimately it runs the battery down if no breeze pops up to push the anemometer through.

Just my theory. I’d love to see Windy in person some day.
Jim
NRD-525, Elecraft KX3 and Elecraft PX3 Spectrum Display
76' end fed long wire & 66' off-center fed dipole for 10/20/40 meters
Orange County, SoCal, The better half

Offline syfr

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 682
    • View Profile
Re: Windy 4102.85 malfunction?
« Reply #359 on: September 01, 2021, 0001 UTC »
I've heard this happen too (but not very often).   

Pray for a breeze or a lot of sun! :-)
Kiwsdr x 2. TenTec Paragon/NRD535

 

HFUnderground T-Shirt
HFUnderground Garden Flag
by MitchellTimeDesigns