My radio tracking range has lots of holes in it, what with the low transmitter power (~5 watts) and low altitude antenna. The top of my antennas is normally about 7 feet in the air, and when I go behind hills or down into low spots, the coverage is often very limited.
I decided to try adding about 30" in height to the antennas, but inserting a couple of pieces of aluminum tubing into the existing mounts, as seen here:
Normal Tracking with Lower Antenna Height
Today's Taller Tracking
A bit more coverage was seen today, but on some days the coverage shows up better even with the lower antennas. The aluminum extensions were small, about 3/8", and the wind was stiff today (Balloon Launches were cancelled due to wind today), but nothing bent or broke. If I was riding in town or along the Bosque I would have to contend with low hanging tree branches.
I actually had to stop and pull on my windbreaker today, as it actually got colder when I got to my halfway turnaround point and realized the breeze was COLD facing into the headwind. I left it on the rest of the ride.
It won't be long before I have to start wearing more layers, with gloves and face mask, etc, to keep warm while riding.
I have to remind myself that even if my rides get boring they help keep my metabolism up and my blood glucose down. So I need to ride whether I'm in the mood or not, or "whether I have time" or not.
Ride Started: 9:52 AM Ride Ended: 11:07 AM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.8 Ending Voltage: 12.9 Lowest: 12.9
Beginning Blood Glucose: 170 Ending BG Reading: 66
Lowest Temp 57F Highest Temp: 64F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 9.33
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
7.6 MPH 8.8 MPH 28.1 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 13 mins 1 hour 3 mins 9 minutes
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