2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 28, 2006 2:55:28 GMT
On previous portable activations I have only had the FT-290 Mk2 to play with, however, the FT-857 will accommpany me in the future. Up to now I have always used a 12v 17AH gel cell battery at a colossal weight of 6.1Kg. This battery has been carried up both Pen-Y-Ghent and Ingleborough to name just two summits. I would like to know what others are using for external batteries. Weight is important, activation life during activating also baring in mind QRP operation and any experiences you would wish to pass on. Please respond with the FT-290/857 in mind.......
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 28, 2006 12:01:18 GMT
On previous portable activations I have only had the FT-290 Mk2 to play with, however, the FT-857 will accommpany me in the future. Up to now I have always used a 12v 17AH gel cell battery at a colossal weight of 6.1Kg. This battery has been carried up both Pen-Y-Ghent and Ingleborough to name just two summits. I would like to know what others are using for external batteries. Weight is important, activation life during activating also baring in mind QRP operation and any experiences you would wish to pass on. Please respond with the FT-290/857 in mind....... Up to now I haven't had experience of either the FT-290/857...sorry Ian However...just before christmas Den tried to purchase a new FT-857 for me for christmas but couldn't get one anywhere Would you believe it all the Radio Amateur Shops had sold out We took the FT-817 up Pen-Y-Ghent and only had the one internal battery for it. We managed about 6/7 contacts each...then proceeded up Fountains Fell and both managed enough contacts to activate that too...2.5Watts gave us enough juice to manage the two... ;D Still going to get an FT-857 but hope to have more than one battery...I will definately be more interested in how other's have managed multiple activations with their equipment and how many batteries they normally use... Another Great Topic Ian...Thank You So Much For Your Input...Greatly Appreciated! ;D M3LHI~ Zo
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 28, 2006 15:24:28 GMT
Hi Zo
No worries, I enjoy participating on the various forums, I tend to learn more about the hobby this way as long as all keep it simple and not to technical as I'm thick....Hi!
Most radios for portable use appear to me to have an internal battery pack which are inadequate, I like to work a couple of hours on a summit rather than a hit and run, I like to work as many Chasers as I can, difficult with the internal source, hence the 17AH Gel Cell. This battery will run the rig all day but to heavy for comfort at 6.1Kg, hence now wishing to down size to perhaps a 8 or 10AH battery. The FT-857 is to be purchased in the next few weeks providing in stock and will give 50w on all bands or there abouts so a decent battery is a requirement. Okay on 2m FM/SSB/70cms etc QRP into 'G', but would like to use the full 50w available to me on HF. Will be interested to hear others comments.
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 28, 2006 15:38:26 GMT
Hi Again Ian,
I too learn more about the hobby when it is kept simple...altho having said that now that I am nearly at the end of the 2E0 course and have completed my project, which I was totally thrilled with when it worked...lol am finding the technical side rather more interesting......I too am also hoping to acquire and FT-857 in the next few weeks....There is a battery that lasts at least twice the time that the internal for the FT-817 does...it's slightly bigger than a mobile phone but quite light with it...I have a sieve for a brain and can't remember what it's called but I think Den does..so will get him to post the make etc. on here...
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 30, 2006 17:22:20 GMT
Managed to acquire two Gel cell batteries today, a 12v 7Ah and a 12v 12 Ah. The 7Ah weighs in at 2.5Kg and the 12Ah at 5Kg. Not ideal but certainly weight moving in the right direction compared to the current battery carried the 12v 17Ahat 6.1Kg.
I've now put the 12Ah on charge and so far it appears to be holding the charge with 80% charged at this time. Once charged I will put on the 7Ah battery and hope it also charges up and holds. Hope then to try them out initially on the FT-290 Mk2 in the QTH and then the activation a week this Sunday on Lambrigg Fell. Hopefully the 7Ah will suffice.
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 30, 2006 17:33:18 GMT
The 7Ah is more than half the weight of the 17Ahat so that is definately a step in the right direction as you said.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 31, 2006 10:48:12 GMT
Hi Zo
Well typically the 12Ah battery charged up and held the charge okay, but the much lighter 7Ah battery wasduff and would not charge up. At least I'm moving in the right weight direction. Hope to have another 7 or 8Ah battery this week prior to the Lambrigg Fell activation a week today.
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 31, 2006 13:33:04 GMT
Hi Ian, I am still trying to remember the name of those re-chargable batteries that I mentioned earlier up in the thread. They are about the size of a tobacco tin, definately a bit slimmer than a tobacco tin. They are used externally to the radio. Den has tried to go to the website but browser can no longer find the site. I am going to the local radio club on Wednesday night and the tutor of the 2E0 course has one...so I will get the correct name and info and hopefully an address on the web which works...Glad your moving in the right direction weightwise with the batteries. It can be awkward with the length of time a charge lasts especially when you want to activate more than one summit. Good Luck with the Lambrigg Fell activation next Sunday.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Jan 1, 2007 10:27:27 GMT
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Post by M0ZOE on Jan 1, 2007 15:36:42 GMT
That looks and sounds about the right one Ian. I think G4BLH and M0LMP have them. Brought them into the club one evening just before Christmas 05. Quite a while ago I know but they still looked really good and they were singing the batteries praises. At the time they were about £50. Price may well have changed but didn't spend too much time checking out the link you gave because I have been busy with homestuff and only just got on pc 15.35 pm now..lol so have a bit of catching up to do...
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Jan 4, 2007 12:06:34 GMT
Just acquired today a 8Ah gel cell battery, certainly lighter than I have carried previously. Will charge up tonight and use it with the FT-290 Mk2 on Sunday for testing. Will also weigh it tonight and let all know the carried weight.
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Post by M0ZOE on Jan 5, 2007 19:03:42 GMT
Brilliant news Ian Should help no end with being lighter in weight.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Jan 5, 2007 19:34:12 GMT
Hi Zo
Fully charged the 8Ah battery and pleased to say that it isholding a full charge. It weighs in at 2Kg a third of the weight previously carried, so will give it a whirl on Sunday from Lambrigg Fell using the FT-290 Mk2. Hopefully it will last the qualifying activation with the four QSO's required and more, we'll see.
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Post by M0ZOE on Jan 6, 2007 12:50:28 GMT
I'm really pleased that the new battery is holding it's charge well. I know how important keeping the weight of what we have to carry down to a minimum is because it can become such hard work which at times can spoil the enjoyment of the day. Den fell on the way down Fountains Fell last year and it was the weight he had to carry on his back that helped with that accident. Luckilly he didn't break anything but had quite a bad sprain and it held up the activating. Thankfully all is well there and once the weather becomes a little more palatable we should hopefully be off activating again. I don't think you will have too much trouble activating Lambrigg Fell because most activators that I have heard operating from there have had a good pile up waiting to work them. Good Luck with it again Ian
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