[aprssig] BOUY 4 Q's and comment

[Steve Noskowicz]

Neat.  The first time I caught either a balloon or buoy real time.

Q and comments

   Does the Helical 'ground plane' sit below the water line?

   What was that one beacon on Hwy 50, I believe on Friday.

  You should show a close-up of that fat section to show how it attaches.


RE: 
>  We are leaving it running, because we dont want to break the seal. 

  Ahhh   Sounds like an added project for the cadets...

  Perhaps a magnetic switch.  Put a reed switch that has it's own magnet to turn it on, but not too strong.  Then an external magnet is used to cancel the field and open the reed.  Motorola antenna relays used this in the Micor and possibly other radios.  The "ON" magnet was a small one magnetized in place;   then, I believe, demagnetized to the required strength.  I should even have a few of the un-magnetized bars around here somewhere.

   If you go the other (obvious) way you'll need a fool-proof way of holding the magnet on the buoy ... and ... I'm sure you are familiar with "fool-proof methods".  (;-)

  Or perhaps an upright switch, but then there may be hi seas ... hmmm...
  Good design problem.  {hint: reed switch and a magnet sliding in a tube)

-- 
73, Steve, K9DCI