@@TheSmokinApe Hi, it was a fun, quick video. I just heard "texting" at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rc6SHdtUtR0.html and figured you meant "transmitting"...but for all I know that's the way it's pronounced in certain parts of the country. 73!
Plan on emergency service comms lasting a week. That is the usual time before FEMA and the power companies take to get to you to help out or get your power back on. I was involved in emergency communications with the Navy MARS and ARES or RACES through Amateur Radio. That made me learn the time you are usually without power after a Winter Storm, tornado, or Hurricane. Three days power are not enough to have dependable power for an actual emergency. Maybe buy one of the more inexpensive 2 Kw gas generators for additional power.
Been looking at batteries for my portable operations - specifically LifePO4 batteries. I just purchased a 30A battery, amazing how light they are now compared to SLA... We don't have Bioenno here, or it would cost too much to get them. But after a lot of research finally got a battery suitable - Wallaby battery actually haha. Great video Ape, lots of good info in here
I use a SLA for a different ham use, the winch for raising and lowering my towers. The winch motor draw is the same as a starter motor draw (CCA) Good presented and informative video 73
Great video. I have watched before but am trying to evaluate my battery needs for my shack. Also I normally watch the ads on RU-vid in the hopes you receive revenue. But RU-vid gave a 1:30 ad as in 1hour, 30 minutes. Longer than your video. 🤦♀️ So I am looking into purchasing a power supply or building a solar generator for my ham shack. Also will plan on using the solar generator to power my CPAP as a backup for our country power. 73!
Nice work on this video! Sounds like you did a lot of homework! I use an Ultralife UBI-2590, seems to suit my needs. (especially when I borrow them from the office..lol)
While I don’t want to claim expert status by any means, I’ve been playing with batteries and power packs for a long time. Being able to get a loaner from work is awesome! The only loaner I get is a headache 😡
@@TheSmokinApe hahaha! I get those too! I use this to power my mobile as well, when it goes dead, I swap it with a freshly charged one. Good batteries, pricey though.
Man I paid line 100$ for a solar charger battery combo unit and it doesn’t put out enough amps for my radio to broadcast at full power. I suppose I have an accidental DX setup, but it wasn’t on purpose. Good video sir as always, 73!
Thank you for the informative video. I've gotten conflicting information about low voltage damaging a ham radio including the ft-891. I saw your low-voltage numbers and it doesn't seem to hurt your equipment. Does the ft-891 have a low-voltage shut-off or warning? Can low-enough voltage damage a radio including the ft-891? Thank you. 73
I have two 10ah Dakota batteries and they seem pretty solid. Just one thing to Remember. lithium batteries require a higher voltage charge then SLA. Usually 14.2 volts for a SLA replacement. Most car alternators charge around 13.8-14.2 so they will generally work for lithium batteries. Otherwise you need a charger capable of charging 14.2 volts.
Lithium Iron Phosphate, LiFePO4 High Capacity Deep Cycle Battery, Or 12v 22Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate, LiFePO4 Battery Whats which one should I use for my ft991a Its a same price range
So basically all these batteries will work right? It's about efficiency? I just spent some coin on radio and antenna want to go cheaper for portable at least for now. So make sure I get a deep cycle at least?
Is it ok to charge the battery while operating a radio? I just got an icom 5100 and wanted to hook it up for testing at home. I have an old deep cycle that has seen better days so I'm sure the capacity has decreased. So basically I would be using the battery like a capacitor.
Is a 12 volt battery compatible with a portable SW radio such as my Tecsun PL-660 which normally uses a 5 volt power supply. OR... Can a 12 volt battery be configured to deliver 5 volts. Same questions for a 6 volt battery??? OR... Will my radio self adjust to accept these higher voltages? Right now, The radio uses four 1.5 volt AA cells. Thanks
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the info on the voltage converter. I believe I found the right device on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Extractme-Converter-Regulator-Step-Down-Adapter/dp/B081NCXB2M/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=DC+12V+to+USB+5V+3A+Converter&qid=1606661571&sr=8-3 I am not sure of exactly what you meant by "rechargeable battery solution". If you are referring to something like an Anker Power Core 15600, I have one. It charges phone and drone batteries pretty well. Problem with it is that it shuts down when connected to my (battery-less) MLA-30 Active Loop Antenna. It seemed to me that using a "brainless" 12 volt battery could solve that problem along with providing a considerably longer run time than the Anker for both the PLL-660 and the MLA-30. Is my thinking tight? Thanks again
I just found this video. Good job. On topic missing from your discussion is the amount of current that a battery can deliver. I run a pure solar/battery-powered shack. My main batttery at this time is a 12Ah LiFePO4 battery. I was wondering why I could never get my radio to transmit with 100w. The best I could get was 50 to 75 watts. At 100w output the radio (FT-891) wants to draw about 26amps. At first I thought, well, my battery has only 12amps, and so 20 amps was not possible. I wrote the battery manufacturer about this. He responded that the "C" value was only "1" and could not deliver the 26 amps my radio needed. Long story short, I am looking for a battery, or batteries, that can deliver the amps my radio needs. Do you have any suggestions? Especially what parameters/specs to look for. I live in Europe, so I don't expect a make/model recommendation. Thanks again for an otherwise comprehensive video. SV0SGS
@@Fox250R gotcha. Bioenno seems to be the choice for most hams but they are a little expensive. Two others that I have been using are Ampere Time and Redodo, I have some videos on them. Did you have an idea what side you are looking for? How many watts is your radio?
Calculated my AH for ft857d. However I use it qrp 25 watts max. would this translate from 24ah at full power less than half? Also rigs call foe 13.8 will 12 v cause more current drain? New to low power portable as new apartment forcing me into parks camping!
You need to factor rx and tx time. Also the battery type... 13.8 bs 12 won’t be too big if and issue on draw, your radio can operate at lower voltage than 13.8 👍
@@TheSmokinApe I calculated about 20AH safe. I am looking at local batteries for Gell Cell deep cycle near here. If you have a recommendation let me know. I am not even running full power or other devices only ft857d at 25/10/8. Manuel lists 2A rx and 22a tx at full power. Meter shows not above max of10a at 25 watts. Hope I did not flunk algebra using formulas and appreciate your kind help.