That voltage booster advertised in Worldradio will put out 23 amps,
won't it?
Whether you can get away without a voltage booster also depends on the
battery and power wiring. I'm changing the fuse holders on my Scout and
1220 2 meter rig from the spring-loaded type to the automotive blade
type. I believe that this will reduce voltage drop in the power cable.
We need to pay attention to the battery connection, too. I had a severe
drift in my Scout that turned out to be caused by a crimped terminal at
the battery connection. The crimp was loose and corroded. Now I solder
all power connectors.
The battery comes into play as well. I put an Interstate "Mega-tron
plus" battery in my Explorer 4X4. This battery has heavier connections
between the cells for less voltage drop, and I can really tell the
difference in cold cranking power. If you operate HF portable from a
vehicle and don't want a separate deep cycle battery, put a heavy duty
starting battery in the vehicle.
In general, while some rigs will run at say, 10.5 V, most Ten Tec's that
I have used are spec'd down to 11 V and they are not happy with less.
Try running a test with the proposed battery and radio combination.
Also, if you can find reasonably-priced solar panels, you can keep the
battery topped off, at least during receiving periods.
Bob WB2VUF
Thomas Jednacz wrote:
>
> I found it necessary for my FT-100 and for my friends ICOM 706. In case you
> cannot measure the point where distortion or other problems occur then just
> use the DC - DC converter to guarantee 13.8 V.
>
> Tom, W7QF
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Mark W4CHL
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 1:23 AM
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Cc: TenTec_Pegasus@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [TenTec] For FD, running Pegasus from lead-acid cell, need
> booster ?
>
> 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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