Picnic Table Portable

[WD5IKX]

I often work "Picnic Table Portable" when camping or some days when the weather is nice I go to a local park and set up for the afternoon. I often use my trusty old Ten Tec Argosy-II (525D) for 5 or 50 watt operation or my Kenwood TS-130 when I want the full 100 watt output. I just got a Yaesu FT-450 which I will be using for portable opration. I use a variety of antennas as I am always experimenting. The one in the picture is a ground mounted vertical using Hustler mobile whips. I also use old Webster Bandspanner antennas as well. I am working on a 8 meter long fiberglass "crappie pole" antenna.



John
WD5IKX

[M0LMK]

I like the solar set up.

Do you know how much longer you can operate for when using the panel vs just the battery?

[WD5IKX]

When using the 150 watt solar panel and charge regulator I can keep the battery at full charge if there is good sun. The 100 amp AGM battery will run the 100 watt SSB transceiver all night and it will usually be back to full charge by mid day. I checked the system on an overcast day and I was still seeing about 2 amps charge current! I use this same system to run all my astro-imaging gear and I have been out as long as 10 days and had all the power I needed. I have two of the 100 amp AGM batteries for when I want to be a real "power hog". I use a second 150 watt panel and charge regulator to power my Casita caravan. Everything is connected using Anderson Power Pole connectors to make it a very flexible system.



John
WD5IKX