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E-Mail 'Powering Tube Radios with Batteries, by Brian H.' To A Friend
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Running a hybrid, a combination transistor front end with tube finals in a Kenwood 830 ($300), not sure if I could make the jump to D.C. safely. Because the rig has no mirco chips, or other fine circuity, it is at least somewhat immune to EMP/CME. Enough overload would damage most electrical devices . I do have multiple 400 watt inverters dedicated to this radio stored of course, in Farady cages. Inverters are cheaper than radios.
Simpler is more better, because simple is more reliable, so the rest of the system is 12vdc. I would like to pick up one of the early Kenwood HF sets designed for mobile use that are 12vdc. I would like to know more about those, as if these are transistor only, with no micro chips or gates, then that radio could be a good compromise. I could use several of those. The Yeasu FT-857 is wonderful, yet it may not survive even a weak EMP/CME. Owning multiples of the same tube based radios that can be fixed by the owner is better that the high tech ‘shack in the box options’, unless you can afford to stack those deep. Here is a FT-857 for $600.
Tunnel Rabbit,
Regarding 12 volt HF transceivers, I recommend the Kenwood TS 120/130. Hamfests seem to have better deals than online auctions.
I use this in my mobile and base station powered from deep cycle marine batteries.
Coupled with a tuner and G5RV antenna you can do well, depending on band conditions, voice, CW or digital modes via fldigi.
Do consider the HFSIGNALS qrp rigs, very good radios for only $59 to $120.
Check out AMRRON.
Blessings to you from TEXAS.
TrexTex,
Thanks for the suggestion. The TS-120 is in my price range on Ebay. I’m interested in my own NVIS net using voice at first,that is if I can find anyone who will play. Been trying for years, but can’t find anyone in my area. They are too lazy to get off the repeaters, and keep installing more repeaters without solar back up. Yes, VHF is more reliable, yet the repeaters are not. I’ve been after them to try out NVIS for 6 years. It costs so little, and it is so cheap and easy to set up a test antenna, so why not? Eventually they’ll catch up?
Having a back pack portable NVIS rig would be nice, and that is where the FT-857, and especially the FT-817 would shine. The Lord has provided in many, and in unexpected ways, especially this year. Who knows, it might happen…
Tunnel Rabbit, I use NVIS exclusively for all my HF work. I have an ELK Yagi for 2 meter and 440 and rarely the 220 Mhz bands … I do work digital, some voice and CW for my HF work. I have an NVIS off center fed antenna set up 60 into the top of a spruce tree with the long wire (132 feet) sloping towards the south, and the short wire (90 feet) to the north. I have had great luck with this antenna, and I use a BuddiPole Deluxe for field use. All this and my Elecraft KX3 and 15 watts out on the battery pack … 5 watts if I use the internal battery pack. I wish we could have a net but as far north as I am making it to the outside would be a difficult process … keep trying, look for nets in your area wherever that may be. It took me a while to gain proficiency with NVIS comms and I’m still on the back side of that learning curve but its well worth the effort. This summer I plan to erect another antenna orientated east west as well so I can hopefully get out in the other quadrants. I’m working on my CW as well with my goal of 35 WPM …. keep warm, HF propagation in teh arctic is a challenge …
Glad to get your experience. I need some, but can’t find anyone around here to want’s to play locally… We need a NVIS net around here. Don’t believe we’ll much more than regional comms. It is frustrating to deal with the lack of vision…..If we don’t do it now, we’ll probably not get it done ever. I’ve got a pile of directional antennas, but they still do not go through mountains. Because NVIS goes over mountains, and is very difficult to DF, it is a good tool to have, and costs next to nothing. And if you needed only local, the ground wave will do the trick. Use 160 meters during the day when the D layer is gone, the ground wave might be all that is needed. Few would even monitor 160, especially during the day! Even the FCC can’t DF that! This is what is secure commo, the cheap and easy way. I guess most folks need to learn the hard way, if they will learn at all….
Our Colossal Survival Pack is now on sale for 25% off. This pack contains over 5 pounds of non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds packed for long term storage.
Running a hybrid, a combination transistor front end with tube finals in a Kenwood 830 ($300), not sure if I could make the jump to D.C. safely. Because the rig has no mirco chips, or other fine circuity, it is at least somewhat immune to EMP/CME. Enough overload would damage most electrical devices . I do have multiple 400 watt inverters dedicated to this radio stored of course, in Farady cages. Inverters are cheaper than radios.
Simpler is more better, because simple is more reliable, so the rest of the system is 12vdc. I would like to pick up one of the early Kenwood HF sets designed for mobile use that are 12vdc. I would like to know more about those, as if these are transistor only, with no micro chips or gates, then that radio could be a good compromise. I could use several of those. The Yeasu FT-857 is wonderful, yet it may not survive even a weak EMP/CME. Owning multiples of the same tube based radios that can be fixed by the owner is better that the high tech ‘shack in the box options’, unless you can afford to stack those deep. Here is a FT-857 for $600.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yaesu-FT-857-HF-VHF-UHF-Transceiver-w-Yaesu-MH-31-Mic-fused-12VDC-Pwr-Cord/383238852297?epid=129710548&hash=item593ad0cec9:g:cEgAAOSwsAtduB1L
Tunnel Rabbit,
Regarding 12 volt HF transceivers, I recommend the Kenwood TS 120/130. Hamfests seem to have better deals than online auctions.
I use this in my mobile and base station powered from deep cycle marine batteries.
Coupled with a tuner and G5RV antenna you can do well, depending on band conditions, voice, CW or digital modes via fldigi.
Do consider the HFSIGNALS qrp rigs, very good radios for only $59 to $120.
Check out AMRRON.
Blessings to you from TEXAS.
TrexTex,
Thanks for the suggestion. The TS-120 is in my price range on Ebay. I’m interested in my own NVIS net using voice at first,that is if I can find anyone who will play. Been trying for years, but can’t find anyone in my area. They are too lazy to get off the repeaters, and keep installing more repeaters without solar back up. Yes, VHF is more reliable, yet the repeaters are not. I’ve been after them to try out NVIS for 6 years. It costs so little, and it is so cheap and easy to set up a test antenna, so why not? Eventually they’ll catch up?
Having a back pack portable NVIS rig would be nice, and that is where the FT-857, and especially the FT-817 would shine. The Lord has provided in many, and in unexpected ways, especially this year. Who knows, it might happen…
Tunnel Rabbit, I use NVIS exclusively for all my HF work. I have an ELK Yagi for 2 meter and 440 and rarely the 220 Mhz bands … I do work digital, some voice and CW for my HF work. I have an NVIS off center fed antenna set up 60 into the top of a spruce tree with the long wire (132 feet) sloping towards the south, and the short wire (90 feet) to the north. I have had great luck with this antenna, and I use a BuddiPole Deluxe for field use. All this and my Elecraft KX3 and 15 watts out on the battery pack … 5 watts if I use the internal battery pack. I wish we could have a net but as far north as I am making it to the outside would be a difficult process … keep trying, look for nets in your area wherever that may be. It took me a while to gain proficiency with NVIS comms and I’m still on the back side of that learning curve but its well worth the effort. This summer I plan to erect another antenna orientated east west as well so I can hopefully get out in the other quadrants. I’m working on my CW as well with my goal of 35 WPM …. keep warm, HF propagation in teh arctic is a challenge …
Glad to get your experience. I need some, but can’t find anyone around here to want’s to play locally… We need a NVIS net around here. Don’t believe we’ll much more than regional comms. It is frustrating to deal with the lack of vision…..If we don’t do it now, we’ll probably not get it done ever. I’ve got a pile of directional antennas, but they still do not go through mountains. Because NVIS goes over mountains, and is very difficult to DF, it is a good tool to have, and costs next to nothing. And if you needed only local, the ground wave will do the trick. Use 160 meters during the day when the D layer is gone, the ground wave might be all that is needed. Few would even monitor 160, especially during the day! Even the FCC can’t DF that! This is what is secure commo, the cheap and easy way. I guess most folks need to learn the hard way, if they will learn at all….