[VHFcontesting] joe's rover

[Joe Serocki]

I was thinking of the batteries, not sure yet. That power supply does well
and the generator on the trailer is pretty unobtrusive. The rigs are not
picky but work better on 14 vs 12 volts for sure!

The transverters each put out 10 watts on 23 and 33 cm. I am not sure I will
need more and the one amp brings it to a whopping 30 watts, so that's
probably not even worth the hassle!

The poles are great. Chain heads to the front, and they are attached via a
custom mount to the car about 5 feet up as well. At 70MPH they didn't move
much. No cross guying, at any speed they fall toward the back and the chain
naturally makes them hang back straight. Cool trick!

I am liking the 5k generator, it will run the shack and an A/C or heaters as
well! I would not mind using the 12v off the vehicle, but the equipment
provides so much better at 14-15v!

Now to find a route for September!

-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of frank bechdoldt
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:19 AM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] joe's rover


Joe, put some batteries back there. Use your trailer plug to charge them.  I
run 4 spare batteries all charged off alternator.  If your rig is very
picky, put a voltage booster on your rig. I find my ft 736 is voltage picky
and thats why I use 4 batteries.  I could use 2 batteries and boost the
voltage to the IF, you might loose 50 watts on the amplifiers at 12 volts. I
get 400 watts at 14 volts.
 
If you are afraid of killing your battery for starting, use a battery
seperator.  If your little generator has a 12 volt output, how stable is
that? Would it be stable with 2 batteries attached?
 
SOmeone tell joe who makes the best voltage booster for the buck.  Its been
posted before.
 
as far as the 24 volt amp is concerned, hoiw much do you use it. You could
put a small 12 volt battery in line to the amp to boost the voltage and make
dpdt a switch that breaks the series connection and places the battery on
standby charging on the alternator.  IE I dont use my 300 watt 900 mhz amp
much. My 4th battery is in series with the other 3. Its 100AH and I have yet
to run it down.  I am told the amp will do 100watts on 12 volts.  That may
be enough anyway. 
 
How well do those poles hold up to 80 mph wind? Are they cross supported or
just to the bumper?
 
good luck
k3uhf
 
 
 
 
 
 
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