[VHFcontesting] The digital modes and the Sept contest

[Mark Spencer]

Hi Alan.   That is useful info re the ic910.   I'm just curious what type of batteries are you using.

I've had considerable success running my ic7300, FT736, multiple Icom706MkiiG's, an icom 735 IF radio, 300 watt amps on 50 and 144 MHz, transverter, etc.. from two  12 V 100 AH Agm style batteries.

I took another 100 AH battery with a solar panel with me during the June contest and used it to run an inverter that in turn powered the battery chargers for the computers and also powered another charger to top off the two radio batteries.   I had ample power for approx 6 to 8 hours of operation including some MSK144 at close to full power on 50 MHz.   

73
Mark S
VE7AFZ

mark at alignedsolutions.com
604 762 4099

> On Sep 13, 2017, at 2:36 PM, Alan Larson <wa6azp at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Zack wrote:
>> My VHF operating is almost entirely portable. I like to go to local
>> hills (there are some around here!) I use a deep-cycle marine battery
>> as a power source. Except for very brief operations, running the
>> station and a computer from the battery runs it down too fast. So I
>> don't even bother taking a computer along. I log on paper and enter it
>> into the computer when I get home later.
> 
>  I also do most of my VHF operating portable.  I have used battery
> power, but I find that the battery runs down too fast with just the
> radios.  As the voltage starts to sag, the IC-910 drops off (powers
> down) during transmit.  Even at reduced power, the battery life is
> limited.  When I use a computer, in such a situation, I ran it from
> its own battery.
> 
>  Some have suggested solar power.  I have done it, and it feels nice to
> be using silent solar power, but even a 100 watt panel is only about 6
> amps of current.  It requires a fairly large lead-acid battery to be
> able to use that for charging until it gets somewhat discharged - when
> near full, the charge rate goes down.  (The solar may push it in faster,
> but at rates that are not good for the battery.)
> 
>  When carrying the entire portable station in a VW Jetta, the space for
> large batteries, solar panels, etc. is pretty limited.  If a computer is
> included, it is just the laptop, but often it is left and logging is on
> paper.
> 
>        Alan
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