John:
Make a reel-out dipole with a couple of those camper's clothesline reels
or carpenter's chalk line reels. Just remove the string and replace it
with wire. Another good antenna is an end-fed half wave with a short
counterpoise and a simple L-network tuner. I have run My Scout portable
on a 7 amp hour battery and the Scout running at 30W output. If you run
the Argosy at the 10W level, the battery will last maybe 2 or 3 hours
between charges. 7 amp hour batteries are plentiful. You could hook up
the battery through a resistor to the cigarette lighter plug and use
the car battery to charge it, while the 7 amp hour battery, isolated by
the resistor, handles the transmitting surge current. Most lighter plugs
are only good for about 10 amps.
73,
Bob WB2VUF
On 3/27/2012 3:02 PM, John wrote:
I am considering going on a trip and taking my Argosy with me. Does
anyone have any tips or suggestions regarding either a reasonable size
battery to take? Or any other power sources? Has anyone powered an
Argosy off a car battery using a cigarette lighter connection?
What are good choices for portable antennas? I guess I would start with
a buddy-pole or similar antenna and go from there. I will probably be
in a compact car, not a van or camper.
I guess if I am going to jump into something I might as well go with
both feet. All suggestions welcome.
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