Dear TenTec Pegasus lists,
? is a N4UAU type DC-DC regulator (booster) advisable or necessary for a
Pegasus running QRP off lead-acid batteries ?
In planning for Field Dqy, for the GOTA station thinking about
using the Pegasus with a laptop instead of:
- the club (original) IC-706 at GOTA HF station with control
software + logging laptop
- FT-817 also with control software + logging laptop
(I know, a K-2 beats 'em all, and one club member uses his, not
all of us have 'em !)
Of all, measured idle PS current on rec'v with squelched audio
out was:
IC-706: 1.75A, Pegasus: 660ma, FT-817: 350ma
5W xmit into dummy load w/ 13.8VDC in:
IC-706: 2.3A, Pegasus: 2.1A, FT-817: 2.0A
Laptop drain, IBM ThinkPad 755: 300ma idle, 1.1A peak @14.8V
(measured).
Other advantage is that operator is already at the PC keyboard
so logging to laptop is easier than with separate rig & logging
controls. Can almost get the FT-817 to operate same, but
receiver doesn't seem as sensitive (nor as flexible) as Pegasus,
programmed band scan isn't as nicely done (FT-BASIC).
What I didn't measure was drop-out voltage or stability under
12VDC.
We operate QRP, understand that the N4UAU design is 4A peak,
plenty for the Pegasus QRP, at least no PS volt droop measured
on 4A Astron PS at 5W out. May get a separate kit for the
laptop, since that was an issue last year and ran an inverter
to laptop charger which drained cells faster than anything else!
Tx for advice and comment !
Cheers & 73s de Mark W4CHL
Mark R. Smith W4CHL@arrl.net
Chapel Hill, NC http://www.qsl.net/w4chl
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