I also have a pair heated gloves, they run off of C cells. When my hands are warm to start, I can tolerate cold fingers pretty well for the duration of a CW activation unless it’s very windy. That said, heated paddle finger pieces would be a neat trick!
73, John?
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On Jan 5, 2025, at 5:22?PM, Fred Maas via groups.io <just.one.hill@...> wrote:
? Wow, Tom, your calculations are very telling.? Thank you for taking the time to do it. ? Remember there are two surfaces to be heated.? What your calculations indicate is that much too much current is needed to significantly warm for this to be feasible using borrowed power from these little radios. ? !!!? fred ? Fred, I have several meters of Nichrome 60 and Nichrome 80; 28 and 18 gauge. Can send up, or bring to you.? ? ?Did some estimates- looks like you will need 2 watts to warm paddles 25-40F above ambient. That would take about 8 cm of wire at 1.5V at a max discharge of 1.5-2 amps. ?Could refine estimate with more detailed data about the key, ?but the ?estimate shows it might be feasible-experimental verification on a surrogate set of paddles would be mandatory before assembling.? That much wire could be wound into a 1-5 -2 cm dia circular spiral or 1.5-2cm wide square spiral that would lay on back of paddles held by epoxy or Silicone RTV. ?Would probably want a potentiometer in there to adjust power to wire.?
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Wow, Tom, your calculations are very telling.? Thank you for taking the time to do it. ? Remember there are two surfaces to be heated.? What your calculations indicate is that much too much current is needed to significantly warm for this to be feasible using borrowed power from these little radios. ? !!!? fred ? Fred, I have several meters of Nichrome 60 and Nichrome 80; 28 and 18 gauge. Can send up, or bring to you.? ? ?Did some estimates- looks like you will need 2 watts to warm paddles 25-40F above ambient. That would take about 8 cm of wire at 1.5V at a max discharge of 1.5-2 amps. ?Could refine estimate with more detailed data about the key, ?but the ?estimate shows it might be feasible-experimental verification on a surrogate set of paddles would be mandatory before assembling.? That much wire could be wound into a 1-5 -2 cm dia circular spiral or 1.5-2cm wide square spiral that would lay on back of paddles held by epoxy or Silicone RTV. ?Would probably want a potentiometer in there to adjust power to wire.?
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Fred, I have several meters of Nichrome 60 and Nichrome 80; 28 and 18 gauge. Can send up, or bring to you.? ?Did some estimates- looks like you will need 2 watts to warm paddles 25-40F above ambient. That would take about 8 cm of wire at 1.5V at a max discharge of 1.5-2 amps. ?Could refine estimate with more detailed data about the key, ?but the ?estimate shows it might be feasible-experimental verification on a surrogate set of paddles would be mandatory before assembling.?
That much wire could be wound into a 1-5 -2 cm dia circular spiral or 1.5-2cm wide square spiral that would lay on back of paddles held by epoxy or Silicone RTV. ?Would probably want a potentiometer in there to adjust power to wire.?
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On Jan 4, 2025, at 19:27, David Fuller via groups.io <nn5k@...> wrote:
? There are heated garments for motorcycling and snow mobiling. ?Deb has used that a lot on her long distance rides. ? I currently have a pair of gloves and a vest that I wear on the tractor when snow plowing. ?That stuff really works! ??
My other go to game changer for hunting particularly holding up cold binoculars ?for hours and hours are the chemical hand warmers called hot hands. ?
I also remember Mike built a pair of cw gloves that worked for him! -Dave On Jan 4, 2025, at 18:44, Fred Maas via groups.io <just.one.hill@...> wrote:
? What is the material to be heated? What is its mass. What would be the ambient temp? ?From that I can calculate Watts required for a desired temp rise above ambient. ? K6TAA? ? That’s an interesting step…? talking about less than a square inch paddle surface, maybe even half that.? Ambient is wide ranging, call it 20F.? If it could raise the temperature of the surface by perhaps 20 degrees, that would be right in there.? I don’t know what the material might be.? Wire or resistance could be sandwiched between layers of something, plastic perhaps?? Or imbedded in a bit of colorful epoxy? ? ? ? Wonder how much resistance an inch of it might have? ? ? ? ? Maybe nichrome 60 or80? ?Or Kapton film elements? ? I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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Yea, CW in the winter can be a real problem - unlike phone where dexterity really isn't necessary. For a few years I activated from the Crest on New Year's Eve at the Zulu year crossover. It was a lot of fun but my hands got so cold/numb I had to occasionally suspend and sit in the car for awhile with the heat on to get some feeling back.??
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Here's a video of the clipboard/gloved setup Dave mentioned. I've used it a number of times in cold weather with the medium gloves shown. The thick gloves are much warmer and I can send pretty well with them - the problem is that I can't write with them! :-) Anyone who's tried to do anything that requires dexterity with thick gloves like that will know what I mean.?
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Not sure what's happened lately with electrically heated gloves but I suspect there are now lightweight versions using some sort of rechargeable lithium batteries that might be workable.? As Dave says "hot hands" work pretty well.
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Back when I used to ride motorcycles a lot I had a Widder electrical vest/gloves setup that attached to the bike's battery and worked great. My first ride with these was ... magic! Suddenly the cold didn't matter. I could ride all year round.?
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Seems to me that heating the paddles themselves wouldn't make a lot of difference. The small area involved wouldn't really keep your hands from getting numb.
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73, Mike - ke5akl
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There are heated garments for motorcycling and snow mobiling. ?Deb has used that a lot on her long distance rides. ? I currently have a pair of gloves and a vest that I wear on the tractor when snow plowing. ?That stuff really works! ??
My other go to game changer for hunting particularly holding up cold binoculars ?for hours and hours are the chemical hand warmers called hot hands. ?
I also remember Mike built a pair of cw gloves that worked for him! -Dave
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On Jan 4, 2025, at 18:44, Fred Maas via groups.io <just.one.hill@...> wrote:
? What is the material to be heated? What is its mass. What would be the ambient temp? ?From that I can calculate Watts required for a desired temp rise above ambient. ? K6TAA? ? That’s an interesting step…? talking about less than a square inch paddle surface, maybe even half that.? Ambient is wide ranging, call it 20F.? If it could raise the temperature of the surface by perhaps 20 degrees, that would be right in there.? I don’t know what the material might be.? Wire or resistance could be sandwiched between layers of something, plastic perhaps?? Or imbedded in a bit of colorful epoxy? ? ? ? Wonder how much resistance an inch of it might have? ? ? ? ? Maybe nichrome 60 or80? ?Or Kapton film elements? ? I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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What is the material to be heated? What is its mass. What would be the ambient temp? ?From that I can calculate Watts required for a desired temp rise above ambient. ? K6TAA? ? That’s an interesting step…? talking about less than a square inch paddle surface, maybe even half that.? Ambient is wide ranging, call it 20F.? If it could raise the temperature of the surface by perhaps 20 degrees, that would be right in there.? I don’t know what the material might be.? Wire or resistance could be sandwiched between layers of something, plastic perhaps?? Or imbedded in a bit of colorful epoxy? ? ?
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On Jan 4, 2025, at 18:31, Fred Maas via groups.io <just.one.hill@...> wrote:
? Wonder how much resistance an inch of it might have? ? ? ? ? Maybe nichrome 60 or80? ?Or Kapton film elements? ? I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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What is the material to be heated? What is its mass. What would be the ambient temp? ?From that I can calculate Watts required for a desired temp rise above ambient. ?
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On Jan 4, 2025, at 18:31, Fred Maas via groups.io <just.one.hill@...> wrote:
? Wonder how much resistance an inch of it might have? ? ? ? ? Maybe nichrome 60 or80? ?Or Kapton film elements? ? I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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Wonder how much resistance an inch of it might have? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Tom Armer via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, January 4, 2025 6:28 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W5N-SOTA] heated paddle? Maybe nichrome 60 or80? ?Or Kapton film elements? ? I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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Maybe nichrome 60 or80? ?Or Kapton film elements?
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On Jan 4, 2025, at 15:42, Fred Maas via groups.io <just.one.hill@...> wrote:
? I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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I have a resistive surface that has been used for a paddle… ? But.? ? It isn’t a specific resistance.? It is open when not being touched.? When touched it changes with the amount of pressure.? At a very light pressure it might be 50K.? with high pressure it is just 1K. ? Doesn’t seem to me this is the sort of thing that would meet the need.? What is needed is a surface that has a fixed resistance that can be fed a little power and warm and in itself have nothing to do with the keying. ? The paddle already has ground on it, so it would call for one additional wire for a plus power source.? It would need to warm, not be hot, at say five volts, and ideally, not consume a lot of power.? Would seem a fraction of a watt would be adequate. ? If there exists a highly resistive wire I can imagine imbedding it in something that can handle a little warmth and make it into a paddle surface. ? Any ideas being stimulated? ? fd
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After Action Sandia Crest
Its was cold and windy today up on top. After a short
drive up to the Crest (roads clear) I parked in the lower lot and
put my parking permit on the dash.
Its a short hike of about 200 yards south to were I set up ops.
Good news was the band condition on 21 MHz was crazy. I wound up
with 7 DX contacts, well only 6 if we eliminate VA4, but the rest
were from Europe. ON7..., F4..., DL6..., G4... S57.., and EA7...
Band news, my fingers working the paddle were very cold after
about 3min and I could barley feel the paddles. Maybe someone
should create heated Paddles HI HI.? 73 all, it was a wild one on
top , WB5USB Geo
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Re: Colorado PK SE-050 report
It was good to connect with you yesterday,? Fred. That was my first visit to Monte Largo, and I enjoyed the location and activation. The parking spot listed on sotl.as was perfect. I lost the trail coming down and ended up in a wash about half a mile from my car.
I had 2 contacts on 40m, 8 on 30m, and 27 on 20m. No DX, but 3 S2S.? I almost feel guilty about the winter bonus since it was so nice.?
73 Brian, NM5BG?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Fred Maas via groups.io" <just.one.hill@...> Date: 1/3/25 11:45 AM (GMT-07:00) Subject: [W5N-SOTA] Colorado PK SE-050 report
Went into the Caja on Thursday.? Roads were dry and stable.? No other vehicles seen. ? We easily saw George’s tire tracks, w-a-y up the hill on SE-050.? ? Debby and I made the short hike up in about fifteen minutes.? I set up while she explored the perimeter of the volcanic cone.? She found a large fresh bear scat.? A little surprising to me in January, but it has been 50 degrees up here, 15 degrees above long term average for this time of year. ? Radio conditions were good for short skip, no long skip, however.? Enjoyed working dear friend, WG0AT, and also Mr. Bryan, NM5BG, who was on Monte Largo.? Really nice day to be out. ? ? Shout out to CN, N5XR, visiting in Washington state.? He got on the air New Year’s Eve from nostalgia club, W7OS, and I was able to work him there! ? 73’s? FD, kt5x/ws0ta ? ?
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Colorado PK SE-050 report
Went into the Caja on Thursday.? Roads were dry and stable.? No other vehicles seen. ? We easily saw George’s tire tracks, w-a-y up the hill on SE-050.? ? Debby and I made the short hike up in about fifteen minutes.? I set up while she explored the perimeter of the volcanic cone.? She found a large fresh bear scat.? A little surprising to me in January, but it has been 50 degrees up here, 15 degrees above long term average for this time of year. ? Radio conditions were good for short skip, no long skip, however.? Enjoyed working dear friend, WG0AT, and also Mr. Bryan, NM5BG, who was on Monte Largo.? Really nice day to be out. ? ? Shout out to CN, N5XR, visiting in Washington state.? He got on the air New Year’s Eve from nostalgia club, W7OS, and I was able to work him there! ? 73’s? FD, kt5x/ws0ta ? ?
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Happy New Year one and all. On Saturday January 4,
2025 I plan to activate W5N/SI-001 Sandia Crest.? QRV around 1700
I will depart my QTH around 0800 en-route to parking. From parking
its a short hike south along the ride where I plan to set up ops
just off the trail on top of the ridge. Weather will be cold so
the bunny suit will be used along with gators. As always anyone
wishing to join me is welcome. Not sure of snow levels, but will
report back.? 73 all WB5USB Geo
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Fred Maas via groups.io writes: That IS strange. I am using Firefox and getting many alerts showing ??!!?? I check SotaWatch3 2-3 times a week for chasing. I've never experienced a problem with activations or the alerts. Working fine right now. I also use Firefox on a Windows 10 laptop. 72, Paul NA5N
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No troubles for this firefox user, I can see all the spots and alerts. I'm using up-to-date version 133.
The only thing that comes to mind... sometimes people use firefox because it still supports state-of-the-art ad-blockers, but sometimes those can get confused or need updating. Try disabling extensions and then reloading the page, see what happens.
I'm currently traveling for the holidays so no chases from me. :-)
Take care,
CN
On Mon, Dec 23, 2024, at 2:52 PM, Fred Maas via groups.io wrote:
That IS strange.? I am using Firefox and getting many alerts showing ??!!??? Maybe our residence internet expert, CN, has an idea on that one!? - FD
?
Strange...Only 4 alerts shown using Firefox. Many alerts shown using Chrome.
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That IS strange.? I am using Firefox and getting many alerts showing ??!!??? Maybe our residence internet expert, CN, has an idea on that one!? - FD ? Strange...Only 4 alerts shown using Firefox. Many alerts shown using Chrome.
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Strange...Only 4 alerts shown using Firefox. Many alerts shown using Chrome.
73, Steve, N2IC
On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 5:30?PM Fred Maas via <just.one.hill= [email protected]> wrote: Ton of alerts for today, some for Monday, but very few for Christmas Eve and Christmas (so far…). ? Have in mind coming down to visit your area not too deep in the new year if this mild weather continues! ? VY Merry, Mate, ? Fred KT5X ? I'm looking at doing my first SOTA in a long time, tomorrow. I logged into the SOTAwatch website, and spots look fine, and are updating. When I went to "Alerts", I expected to see many postings for activations over the next few days. Instead, all I see are 4 alerts - 3 from VK1MCW, and 1 from XE2GRC. What am I doing wrong ?
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Ton of alerts for today, some for Monday, but very few for Christmas Eve and Christmas (so far…). ? Have in mind coming down to visit your area not too deep in the new year if this mild weather continues! ? VY Merry, Mate, ? Fred KT5X ? I'm looking at doing my first SOTA in a long time, tomorrow. I logged into the SOTAwatch website, and spots look fine, and are updating. When I went to "Alerts", I expected to see many postings for activations over the next few days. Instead, all I see are 4 alerts - 3 from VK1MCW, and 1 from XE2GRC. What am I doing wrong ?
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Hi Steve!
I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Since "Alerts" seem to
be working FB right now, I'd guess that you caught the software at a
moment with "it's pants down".
Alan
On 12/22/2024 1:58 PM, Steve N2IC via
groups.io wrote:
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I'm looking at doing my first SOTA in a long time, tomorrow.
I logged into the SOTAwatch website, and spots look fine, and
are updating. When I went to "Alerts", I expected to see many
postings for activations over the next few days. Instead, all I
see are 4 alerts - 3 from VK1MCW, and 1 from XE2GRC. What am I
doing wrong ?
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73,
Steve, N2IC
Hanover, NM
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John K1JD
