[CQ-Contest] Laptops for mobile....

[rjairam at gmail.com]

I used my 2018 MacBook Pro in the K2EZ VHF rover for June VHF in 2018.
I have a 45 watt USB-C PD adapter. that connects to 12V DC.

https://www.amazon.com/Gearmo-Type-C-Output-Charger-Laptops/dp/B072P6J47F/

We didn't have RFI issues once I put a ferrite bead (3 turns) on the
USB-C PD input to the laptop. There was a slight "hash" on 6m and HF
without it.

So it is possible. I haven't tried PC laptops yet, mostly because I
don't have any, except my work laptop which can't be used for radio
contesting.

PD makes things a lot easier to run laptops off a car's 12V supply but
I always had a car adapter for all of my laptops, as I just like to be
prepared.

I don't like inverters as they add bulk and also inefficiency. I do
use inverters for other things but not my computers.

73
Ria, N2RJ

On Fri, May 28, 2021 at 1:24 PM Michael Dinkelman <mwdink at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> This is about contesting...  mobile contesting
>
> The laptop I use for mobile is nearing its end after about 10 years
> of general use  and mobile. Now just mobile as I didn't care about
> OS  (it's WIN8) as long as it ran N1MM+. But it has become
> unreliable even after full factory resets.
>
> My main laptop, a high powered workstation is great, but not so good for
> mobile. It doesn't have a mobile supply for vehicle use and while I have
> tried
> quiet inverters, the real noise from battery charging seems to be
> internal  to
> the laptop.
>
> It would be good to find a reliable laptop that can run off vehicle
> power (even with a dedicated
> accessory supply). It doesn't need to be a workhorse and cheaper would
> be great. It just
> needs to run N1MM+ and not generate  RF on it's own. Unfortunately,
> cheaper may mean less
> RF suppression and susceptibility. I'd appreciate comments from folks
> who actually run laptops mobile.
> (I can look at specs all day on the web but that  doesn't tell you much
> until you turn it on in
> a vehicle.)
>
> cheers
> dink, n7wa
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest