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ZL3AI > APRDIG 25.11.03 20:57l 157 Lines 5934 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Subject: Re: What low current draw radio for solar powered site?
From: "Casey Hicks" <casey@tenforward.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 10:17:11 -0800
X-Message-Number: 9
Dale,
After testing a few other portable radios in a high-RF enviroment at a
solar site I have found that HTX-202s work fine. About 30-40mA avg.
current draw with open squelch. It also has very impressive receiver
characteristics for a portable radio - better than some commercial
portables. Yes it's synthesized, but with that low of current draw it
hasn't been a concern, nor has it generated any noise to create problems
for other equipment. Last time I checked they were readily available on
eBay.
If there is a lot of other radio equipment at the site it is always
recommended (and required in many cases) to install a cavity resonator to
reduce the possiblity of any site noise & intermod problems. It would also
allow for the recever to be more selective and less prone to experience
receiver desensitization.
The solar site I've had the most experience with is ELLIS, located about
23mi SE from the northwest tip of the continental US (about 2700 feet elev).
The site hosts a number of repeaters for both US and Canadian commercial and
public safety entities, as well as a standard 2m packet station and remote
receiver for the local 2m voice repeater. In the winter it doesn't get much
sun so the site has to depend on wind generation and propane generator
backup. The winds gust to 100mph+ in the winter on top of the ice loading,
and vehicle transportation to the site in the winder and spring is
impossible due to high snow drifts, so it gets pretty rough up there. So
far this year I haven't had any trouble with the APRS station, runs great.
The main problems I have faced haven't been with power issues, but with
close antenna spacing to other VHF transmitters causing intermittent
receiver desensitization, and antenna damage due to high winds and ice.
After snapping 3 different 'ham brand' antennas I have switched to
ruggedized commercial antennas and haven't had a problem since. I would
keep those issues in mind.
Casey KJ7XE
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Subject: Re; What low current draw radio for solar powered site?
From: "Tim Taylor" <Jake@dingoz.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 12:48:10
X-Message-Number: 10
Try the HTX-202, IC-2AT or 02AT.
Go to www dot kj7az dot com, go to the bottom of the map and click on
KJ7AZ's Digi Pictures. Look at KJ7AZ-6. That site was one of the first
completely solar powered APRS dedicated sites. It's been up for many
years, running flawlessly. The radio is an HTX-202 with an MFJ 30 watt
amp. I really don't need the amp out there and it's usualy off in the
winter. I added two more large solar panels that I took off my house this
summer so their's more than enough powere for the digi even on the
cloudiest weeks. Most everything in the shack other than the amp, radio
and TNC are home brew.
You can click on the callsigns in blue and see the telemetry for the
assorted sites.
Laterish...
Tim/KJ7AZ
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Subject: What low current draw radio for solar powered site? k7fw
From: "Komljanec" <ve3pep@rac.ca>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 15:15:18 -0500
X-Message-Number: 11
Dale:
Depends on how much solar power you have available, and the size of your
battery. How many days are you OK without sun, how much transmit duty
cycle, etc.
Putting together a low standby current receiver is a lot cheaper than
supplying larger solar panels and battery. Concentrate on the receiver. As
someone suggested, old crystal controlled radios are best in this regard.
I've used Motorola MX (30mA) and even MX-S synthesized (~50 mA). Your 02AT
would be in this league. Some mobile radios can be used if you can get into
the circuitry and shut off the audio amp, and any backlighting to reduce
standby current. I've moved on to surplus mountain top radio modules.
These do sometimes come up on ebay. I try to keep all standby loads as low
as possibe.... like under 100 mA. Transmit is dependent on duty cycle. My
repeaters are off the beaten track and have low duty cycle... so 7 or 10A
transmit for an hour per day (cumulative) isn't a big issue.
TX Relay? If access to the site isn't a problem... then don't worry about
it. Relays do fail after a lifetime of operation... but that is the nice
thing about surplus radios... parts a' plenty.
For some more background info and ideas on solar power repeaters, see
www.qsl.net/va3pla and check the technical page for details.
Good Luck!
Tony K, VE3TK
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Subject: OT: Anybody use a FT-100D for aprs
From: "Andrew Rich" <vk4tec@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 08:09:30 +1000
X-Message-Number: 12
I would like to get a HF/VHF/UHF all in one rig.
Does anyone have comments on the ft-100d ?
Andrew VK4TEC
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Subject: DigiTravler current
From: "Donald Jacob" <djacob1@socal.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 13:55:52 -0800
X-Message-Number: 13
Possibly missed this earlier and can't find info, how much current does the
DigiTravler draw in its operational mode?
Thanks,
Don WB5EKU
DM04sg
IRLP Node 3830
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: DigiTravler current
From: "Mike Yetsko" <myetsko@insydesw.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 21:13:36 -0500
X-Message-Number: 14
>Possibly missed this earlier and can't find info, how much current does the
>DigiTravler draw in its operational mode?
Well, with 3 AAA batteries supposedly spec at 16 hours...
The data sheet says less than 75ma in full operation. 5ua in standby.
Should work fine with a 78L05 inside the case...
---
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