INGO HAM Radio Club

[Cameramonkey]

So you've been checking out the Parks on the Air program, and you want to get into it, but not sure what gear to buy. DX Engineering has taken care of that for you. They have put together four different backpack setups for you to use in activating summits, parks, islands, you name it.

I was just there on Tuesday. Needed a Rigexpert stick repaired, and figured I'd buy some more toys. Including a new stick to use while they take 2 months to fix mine, hopefully under warranty.

I need to find time to get out and activate.

 

[Cameramonkey]

New toy came in the mail today. Anxiously waiting since early March. Guy cant build them fast enough so he has folks on a 5 month backorder.

BG2FX Amateur Radios

bg2fx.com

View attachment 370356

neat little radios, but I ended up selling it. it would only do a whopping 5w Data, which I am doing more and more of. Looking at the PSK reporter, at 5 I was only getting traffic seen as far as maybe MN and TX. I dont think I was even reaching the Caribbean.

But if you want to do QRP SSB or CW, they are neat as hell.

 

[Cameramonkey]

got my first two Meshtastic radios in. Talk about a learning curve.

And it doesnt help that apple products wont see the damn things via BT. Had to dust off the asus tablet.

Off to YT for more edumication.

 

[PistolBob]

Hamfest alert!

 

[Cameramonkey]

As I deploy solar and start looking at exactly how I'll be charging everything, I discovered a weakness in my radios.

I run Baofeng 5r variants, as well as their 5G/X GMRS radios that use the same batteries. they all use drop in chargers, so thats a no-go. Picked up a set of these, so I can use existing 12v USB chargers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF256MSX

These are also an option, but it adds some bulk

https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-BL-5L-Capacity-Charging-Compatible/dp/B0D8SDFPZX/

 

[fullmetaljesus]

As I deploy solar and start looking at exactly how I'll be charging everything, I discovered a weakness in my radios.

I run Baofeng 5r variants, as well as their 5G/X GMRS radios that use the same batteries. they all use drop in chargers, so thats a no-go. Picked up a set of these, so I can use existing 12v USB chargers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF256MSX

These are also an option, but it adds some bulk

https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-BL-5L-Capacity-Charging-Compatible/dp/B0D8SDFPZX/

I'm a few drinks in so please forgive me.

Why are drop in chargers a "no go"?

 

[Cameramonkey]

I'm a few drinks in so please forgive me.

Why are drop in chargers a "no go"?

They run on 110vac and are not efficient if you are running solar, etc. and dont have excess power via a traditional generator. I recall most of the wall warts output an odd 9vdc to the cradle.

For maximum efficiency you want to be able to charge them as close to the 12vdc power source you are starting with.

When charging stuff, you want to change the voltage as little as possible. So if you start with a limited pool of electrons, you dont want to waste any. And you will lose some every time you change the voltage type. Especially DC->AC inverters lose up to 50% of the energy to heat during the conversion process. Then the wall wart will have to convert it back to DC power. (also wasting more energy to heat) That loss could mean you could only charge a device 3x instead of 5x.

So if I have the energy stored in 12vdc battery banks, I will waste less energy just converting that 12v to 5v usb to feed the battery via the USB C port. It takes a little more time to charge, but it will be more efficient.

They will also charge directly off those phone battery banks as well.