Member postings for Samsaranda

Neil, many thanks for your input, plenty of food for thought there and we need to look into receiver aerial arrangement to see if we can effect a change.

Dave W

PGK, changing the radio control system is not feasible as the current set up is supplied as an integral part of the launchers, if we butchered the equipment we would undoubtedly lose support, for what it’s worth, from the manufacturer.

Dave W

John, the problem we are experiencing is intermittent and at varying distances around the range so I am inclined to think that cheap and cheerful electronics, I know that the remote handset is very basic inside without a dedicated aerial for transmission, allied to a probably strong and fluctuating field from the overhead cables dependent on how much current flows, is the root of our problems. I feel that without geographical changes to the range layout which is definitely not going to happen, we will probably have to live with the interference and if possible tinker with the receiver aerial to see if it mitigates the problem.

Dave W

I am sure UK power networks will be obliging and move their pylons just far enough not to cause interference. 🤔 We won’t hold our breath then.

Dave W

Andrew many thanks for your response, it would appear that my thoughts about magnetic influence from the cables is probably the cause, so experimenting with relocating the receiver may help to reduce the problem, there is no requirement for cables to run up the tower, we just need to connect the launcher with receiver/ control box which could be moved lower, the launcher needs to remain where it is near the top of the tower, approx 8 - 10 feet above ground level.

Dave W

Dave unfortunately the high tower on that range is where it is and geography constraints mean it ain’t going to move.

Dave W

Stuart thanks for that I will assume that ours are also 433mhz.

Dave W

Gentleman many thanks for your prompt responses, unfortunately relocation of the aerial away from the cables is not practical but it may be possible to move it lower down in the high house. The make of the launchers are Laporte and without investigation I do not know the radio frequency that they operate on also substitution of high for low has not been tried, will check tomorrow whether that is feasible to prove the units integrity. We have two ranges both using Laporte equipment, the units on the other range are much older and the radio remote is much more substantial with a proper transmitting aerial mounted on the remote, the unit we have problems with, a much later version, is just a plastic box with integral keypad and no dedicated aerial, inside the box is a number of components just strung together, no location board and an altogether much inferior unit to the older unit from the other range. That I suppose is “progress” or the never ending spiral for greater profits, enough of my rant need to focus on solving our interference problem. In respect of possible arcing on the lines when we shoot in damp and misty weather the lines hum and crackle so that could be a problem. In respect of where we stand and transmit it makes very little difference to the problem whichever stand we are on which makes me think that it is probably the field from the cables swamping the receiver.

Dave W

On Sunday’s I go clay shooting on a local Skeet range that I am a member of, we have a problem that perhaps someone will be able to help us with. The high tower on one range is in close proximity to high voltage overhead cables, approx 20 feet, I am unsure whether they are 11,000 volts or 33,000 volts, not really important as to the value as according to UK Powers charts, found online, detailing their sphere of interference they are both nearly identical in their field strengths. Since we replaced the launcher in the high tower with a new unit which is actuated by a radio remote control from our shooting bases we have suffered problems where it will intermittently not fire on command, the same remote fires the launcher in the low house without problems, the low house is situated on the far side of the range well away from high voltage cables. Prior to replacing the launchers the old units were controlled by a control unit connected physically by a long cable to the launchers, no problems encountered then but it was a real pain having to drag the cable across the range every time we changed shooting positions, the old system was replaced because of mechanical problems with the launchers. The perceived problem we have is that the field (electrical that is) that surrounds these high voltage cables is causing intermittent interruption of the remote signal to the high tower, the one in close proximity to the cables. Is there any way that we can either shield or mitigate the influence of these cables, unfortunately reverting to a physical cable connection instead of the radio remote is not possible. Would placing a metal shield between the aerial wire and the high voltage cables help, I realise the field generated from the cables is all encompassing and according to the charts on the internet can still have a measurable value at up to 40 metres from the cables.

Dave W

Dave, thanks and there was me slagging off the French when it wasn’t their fault.

Matt, MAPP-X gas is I believe a similar gas but not chemically the same and does not achieve the same temperature as the original MAPP but still a useful product.

Dave W

I grew up in Malaya during the 50’s and remember the night time street markets where stall holders used acetylene lamps fuelled with carbide for illumination, had a very distinctive smell, once smelt never forgotten.

Dave W

A few years ago bought a MAPP gas torch and cartridge from Axminster, it was a good bit of kit, when the cartridge ran out tried Axminster for a replacement and they had discontinued MAPP gas. Have not been able to obtain a replacement cartridge since, manufacturer was French perhaps they have something against the British and refuse to sell to us? Also have not seen true MAPP gas available since.

Dave W

Rik, much cheaper and more convenient, no embarrassing questions, if bought online, food grade citric acid powder is readily available and a very reasonable price. I use it for pickle and it also descales coffee machines as a bonus.

Dave W

I have the same problem with the return key on an IPad but only when used on this site. I just live with it but does catch me out sometimes..

Dave W

Mark, many thanks for posting that link ref. gluten intolerance and Spelt flour, it explains how my wife and I can eat Spelt bread but not Normal Wheat bread. It will never cease to amaze me how diverse the subjects and information are that are posted on this site, if you ask a question, someone somewhere will have the answer.

Dave W

Vic, recipe we use is that for a standard flour loaf but using 500 grams of spelt flour and we substitute 3 tablespoons of sunflower oil for butter which neither my wife or I can have, otherwise standard recipe, process is standard 4 hour.

John, appreciate coeliac association warns that Spelt contains gluten but most coeliacs have found they are ok with it, if it does not affect you then it is certainly a better proposition than the commercial gluten free products.

Dave W

Colin, no need to miss out on breads because you are coeliac, my wife and I are both intolerant to gluten and dairy, not officially diagnosed by NHS but we know only too well that we cannot tolerate gluten. We bake our own bread in a Panasonic bread maker but instead of using flour containing gluten we use Spelt flour, our loaves look and taste just like ordinary proper bread. Spelt is a very ancient form of wheat, first brought to the U.K. by the Romans, it has been found that the majority of coeliacs can eat bread made with Spelt flour and there are none of the usual effects from gluten. Spelt flour has some gluten in it but apparently it is in a different form which is tolerated by those whose digestive systems normally react with gluten. We use an organic spelt flour which we get mail order from.a company called Shipton Mill and also use Allison’s sachets of bread yeast, we substitute Sunflower oil for the butter normally used. Re the original problem in this thread, yes we get odd shaped loaves occasionally but it is probably due to fluctuating temperatures and draughts. We neither of us can stomach commercial gluten free bread, it is like an amalgamation of cardboard and concrete, disgusting, enough said.

Dave W

I used a waspinator in our garden next to a plum tree last year, no wasps, all the fruit intact, this year didn’t hang a waspinator and the wasps had a field day with the plums, demonstrates that in my situation it worked.

Dave W

Should be plenty of redundant cladding going cheap as it is being removed from many high rise blocks throughout the country!

Dave W

PGK, our inset logburner that we installed in our lounge 3 years ago is rated at 5 Kw but it don’t half chuck out some heat, our gas bill has plummeted since it was installed, we leave the lounge door open and the heat percolates right round the house. It has a smoke control fitted which means it burns hotter anyway and keeps the clean air campaigners happy, our four cats are always in the lounge whenever the fire is lit, the Siamese loves keeping warm in front of it but even he admits defeat and retreats to the sofa because he gets too hot, the modern wood burners are incredibly efficient.

Dave W