[CQ-Contest] Laptops & Logging / Portable - Also ARRL 10M Contest

[Bob Wolbert]

Rob,

Shame on you for moving to such a place!

Solving your computer problem in the simplest, most reliable fashion
(IMHO) involves stepping back a few generations in laptops. I keep a
486-33 laptop for precisely the reason you mention here--computer logging
when only 12.5V is available.

The older laptops generally need 13 to 15V to charge their NiCd or NiMH
battery packs. 12.5V won't charge them much--if at all--but will run the
computer.

My 486 with a color display draws 1.5A with a battery pack installed and
between 0.9 and 1.2A without (I guess it is trying to charge the
pack--but it does not succeed). The brightness of the backlight also has
a significant affect on current drain--more than 200mA between max
brightness and minimum usefullness.

Does it work? I've used this setup mobile for hours, and used it during
CQP early last month and CQWW last weekend. It will go with me to the
site for Sweepstakes this weekend (but I guess I won't work you in that
one, hi...)

C U 

73 de Bob, K6XX

On Thu, 2 Nov 2000 07:51:11 -0000 "Hammond, Rob (EU-Pencoed)"
<Rob.Hammond at eu.sony.com> writes:
> 
> Fellow contesters,
>                            I have just moved QTH & have a lovely 
> restrictive
> covenant which says "No Antennas" AGGGHGHHH 
> However, I have worked /P before & have a nice range of antennas & 
> portable
> masts as well as a lot of Welsh Mountains to choose from. Power is 
> not a
> problem, I ony run 100W and have 3 Huge Leisure Batteries. However, 
> my PII
> laptop requires 
> 19V DC input ( My batteries are 12V ). Has anyone run a laptop such 
> as this
> off 12V & what was the result. I'm a bit wary about trying in case 
> of
> damaging the Laptop.  I've got 4 battery packs for it but they won't 
> last
> the duration of a contest. 
> 
> Cheers Rob MW5EPA
> 
> PS Anyone have any views on the ARRL 10M contest. Never done a mixed 
> mode
> before so don't know what to expect for this one. How do people 
> mainly work
> them ? Do people drop multipliers to CW from phone etc... ? Anything 
> would
> be helpful TNX
> 
> 
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73 de Bob, K6XX

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