Firstly, happy Mothers Day to all the mothers and wives who allow us to enjoy this wonderful hobby! Hope you all get spoilt a little today!
A few weeks back, Hamnet discussed over two or three monthly Bulletins, the scenario around total power loss and the steps that should be taken to establish a network,
Following correspondence on the “Linkedin” Internet network, this problem was taken a step further when the initiator of the discussion commented on the possibility of power being out for weeks and possibly months in the United States!
Suggestions on what to do are still under discussion but many suggestions were forthcoming and most seem to migrate to solar power and solar power panels to charge batteries – until one suggested that what would happen if there is a total solar blackout - no sun – for a while, what happens then?
This could happen if one had a major volcanic eruption like Mount St. Helens a few years back when there was a sun blackout for a lengthy period of time.
Deep cycle batteries was the next suggestion, wind power, generators and gas were all under discussion. Each one in turn had its benefits and drawbacks.
Fuel (petrol or diesel) cannot be stored indefinitely as it also deteriorates. However, diesel can be stored for much longer and is less volatile. When power is down, most filling stations cannot pump fuel anyway. The same applies when gas is shut down due to a hurricane, earth quake or what ever. Then that is in short supply.
Generators then came under discussion. Apparently in the USA there are generators that can run on just about anything from petrol to gas and some are very efficient and run silently!
Also heard over the radio locally is a new device still being tested that resembles a bicycle which is built or designed in such a way that it is comfortable to sit/lie and pedal a small generator. This generator supplies power to a unit that can supply nominal voltage probably 12v for up to 40 hours if one pedals for more than one
hour.
So, we are not the only ones looking at the possibility of a general shut down situation what alternative means can be devised to supply power to run our radio’s but also how we maintain contact during that breakdown. Plenty of food for thought!
Reporting for Hamnet, this is Francois Botha – ZS6BUU.
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