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Re: [TenTec] OT: Anyone used LiFePo technology yet for portable operatio

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT: Anyone used LiFePo technology yet for portable operations?
From: Gene Hall <w4tco.gene@gmail.com>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:27:32 -0400
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Rick ... I also have a Scout I used extensively for mobile ops a number of
years ago.  I had to keep the engine running in my van to keep it stable, a
battery just wouldn't do it after the "float" charge is gone.  The
stability issue comes from the need for sufficient overhead voltage for the
three legged regulators used in the Scout. In mine the receiver would still
work fine but the transmit audio was garbled.

There was an article on the web at one time that changed out the chips for
ones needing less overhead voltage.  I would try operating using a 13.8
volt power supply that you can turn down to determine when yours has a
problem before you invest in a battery.

Another issue is the battery itself, a 12 AH battery will likely suffer
permanent damage if you pull more than about 6 AH out of it and continue
operating.

I still have my Scout and would use it mobile anytime but operation from a
12 volt battery will likely be disapointing.

  Gene ... W4TCO ... Irmo, SC

On Mon, Apr 27, 2015 at 4:47 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP <Rick@dj0ip.de> wrote:

> Hi Kevin,
>
> Tnx for that info.
> I know the Scout needs 350 mA on RX.
> Worst case it is easily convertible to a QRP rig.
>
> My plan was to run it at about 25w.
> I'll just have to test it.
> From what I have seen, most SOTA operations don't last very long anyway.
>
> Do you happen to know what voltage the Scout gets squirrely at?
>
> Actually the LiFePo batteries tend to deliver full voltage for most of
> their
> charge.  This is one advantage they have over other technologies, so this
> data point may turn out to be the decisive one.
>
> Tnx
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Kevin
> Anderson via TenTec
> Sent: Monday, April 27, 2015 8:03 PM
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT: Anyone used LiFePo technology yet for portable
> operations?
>
> I don't have specific experience with the batteries you ask about.  I'm
> replying because I recall that the Scout quickly gets "squirelly" with low
> battery voltage.  I remember when I first got my used Scout back in 1999
> and
> was tuning several brand-new Hamstick antennas without the car running, and
> so just running off the car battery.  And it didn't seem to take long
> before
> the radio was squawking and making extra noises as the car battery started
> to run down.  So make sure you get a battery setup with enough capacity, or
> run with a battery booster, to make sure you can operate cleanly for your
> entire expected length of time for operating, as the Scout's receiver is
> relatively thirsty compared to other portable radios.
>
> Cheers/73,
> Kevin, K9IUA
> --
> -------------------------------------
> Kevin Anderson, Dubuque IA USA, K9IUA
> k9iua (at) yahoo (dot) com
> -------------------------------------
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