This idea of using the Honda is really excellent. I've seen those
in the stores and really needed an excuse to buy one ! :)
Of course, the DC to DC converter idea is Ok, I didn't mean
to imply that you "cannot" use one. I just meant to say that you have to
plan for the energy use in your power budget.
73 de Gary, AA2IZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cliff" <csegar@mindspring.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 12:26 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Supply Voltage sensitivity. >=12.0Vdc
> Most, if not all, batteries will be dropping below 12vdc before much use.
> While I have never tried to use my Scout (dunno if its early or later run)
> for very long on only a battery I do plan to use my 526, 6n2, rig QRP
> portable some and this whole thread is interesting to me. What it appears
> is that to use probably all solid state rigs away from our AC mains is
> going to require a bit more thought (and weight!) The DC-DC inverter could
> be a good solution and one that could be designed to provide stable DC to
> the rig. Yes, there is going to be some loss through the device but I
> haven't found a free lunch anywhere else yet either. As an alternate, a 7
> cell battery comes to mind. It would have an initial voltage of 15.4
> (2.2*7) but would rapidly drop to 14.7 or less and could drop to ~1.7vpc
> before hitting the 12vdc output "malfunction" point. Hopefully enough of
us
> are true hams and could build our own charger for the 7 cell battery.
> As an aside, I like to do VHF/UHF contesting which usually involves taking
> all our beloved gear to the top of some mountain for a weekend of field
day
> type operations. VHFers are seldom known for trying to run QRP and the
> League doesn't even bother with a category for multi-op QRP VHF. I have
> usually done the 6m station and have had problems with generator sag when
> the Kw hits the RG-389 feed line I use. This even occurred with >6Kw
> generators feeding the power. This last September I tried another approach
> by feeding the amp with a 1.4KVA UPS. This worked splendid except the UPS
> didn't like the trashy power from the generators! The final solution was
to
> run the UPS from a Honda 1Kw 'inverter' generator. Yes, the generator
> couldn't keep up with the amp but the UPS could and just used the battery
> during the surge and politely went back to the clean power from the Honda
> after transmit and, of course, charged the battery back up a bit. For
those
> of you that haven't seen the 'inverter' Honda, its an EU1000i (there is
now
> a 2kw version). This is a Kw you can easily carry in one hand, stand next
> to and talk normal and it is VERY fuel efficient. Yes, it does cost more
> per watt but you will fall in lust when you use it.
>
> de KD4GT
>
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