Quote from: Frosty on June 06, 2013, 09:32:16 AM
TTAB's has a pretty setup.   Interested in what what you find out today.

Didn't get much time - the tropical storm cut my trip short. I'll give him a call.

Has anyone heard from TTABB's? I wanted to follow up with him on the sat project for an update - but he doesn't seem to have posted for awhile?

Hope all is ok...but I REALLY hope he didn't get some code texted to him and he's gone dark!

Because it would mean that I was not invited to the bunker...and the sun is setting...

It's moved SO far beyond left & right..

It's downright scary to type something on a Internet forum - fear is that your words HAVE been captured, here and elsewhere, especially if you used Google to find it, or are surfing from a smartphone with ISP's from AT&T or Verizon...!

They aren't gathering our right for nothing...

I couldn't believe it involved Israel - but I don't think it stops with the Israeli Intelligence - I agree with the radio host who quoted Herbert Meyer (a former insider in the belly of the NSA beast); "...we are in the midst of a coup..."

Its getting harder to NOT see this as obvious...

To my neighbors and co-workers who I think are teetering on the fence about making some preparations for something (i.e., weather related prepps are seen as plausible)...I hope to influence them that - due to the advance of another hurricane season - it's time to lay in some supplies...and I am playing on concerns that this will be a season unlike any we've seen in the last 5 years. Hopefully this will cause them to do more than they have done in the past 5 years.

...to those in my immediate group who are "awake" - I am explaining that it is time to make decisions on some final preparedness items and to finalize some communication procedures.

...for those who have resisted all attempts to prepare, for any reason, I say nothing.

But I think the one thing I am taking away is that our government is interpreting our normal actions as an imminent threat - and their frequency in running roughshod over our rights indicates that they have gone from a heightened state of vigilance, to a heightened state of activity.

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny, when the government fears the people, their is liberty...

It's the movement from the latter, to the former, that is disturbing.

Stock up - something tells me it's about to get interesting.

Holy crimenitely....

No one has any expectation if privacy.

http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-06-08/we-call-top-nsa-whistleblower-and-get-real-scoop-spying

Shocking - maybe not for Luck/WA4STO - wow is this crap must be rolling up fast.

Quote from: s2man on June 05, 2013, 07:40:27 AM
I wandered away for a few days analyze, spec and buy solar equipment, and what do you guys do?  Start a solar thread.  ;-)

If you want a look at a REAL ongoing solar project, take a look at the thread a poster called TTAB's is doing. He's done a LOT of work and it's a whole-house type project.

I am visiting a customer of mine tomorrow that began by manufacturing solar-thermal panels for water heaters (I think the most cost-effective means of the solar market) back in the '80's. He's since made the jump to also selling PV systems (although he buys PV panels from India & China).

I'm going to try to see what type of battery system he would suggest.

He's already offered me a non-installation price on PV panels & systems (and charge controller)...it was a bit more than I was willing to pay, to get started...but Im going to see if he has some batteries and if so, if we can come to some type of arrangement...

Gil, sorry for the derail, is the MTR smaller/lighter than the Rockmite?

I had hiked for most of my life, but not at all in the past 10 years. Plus, I've lived those last 10 years in the flattest part of f-l-a-t Florida, and even if I had been in shape...and it would have been flat Florida type of shape...

...the trick about the AT is that both the northern (Maine) and southern (Georgia) terminus' points are the most difficult. My trip started in Georgia - the part of the trail that has the most changes in elevation. The mountains are smaller, but there isn't a ridge line to walk (like the Smokies). You walk up - and then down - every mountain (several climbs I faced 1000 feet of elevation in just one mile). When I started my pack was just a few ounces shy of 50 pounds...after about a day and 1/2 it was MUCH closer to 38 lbs...and by day 3, I was finally comfortable with how to hike that particular area.

Im sure - now - that I could find a way to get a small QRP rig into the pack with NO trouble - but to Gil's question earlier about carrying an FT-817 with a 6v battery...NO WAY!

A former Army Ranger works as a "barista" at one of my local coffee shops - he served Iraq and Afghanistan - he is on disability due to the amount of weight he was required to carry on his back/pack (100 +). Protruding disk, no cartilage in his knee, and an arthritic hip. He's 29 now, he was 24 when the damage occurred. It wasn't from a fire-fight - his Army doctor diagnosed that it was from the equipment he was forced to carry every day. He carried a radio, battery, antenna equipment, in addition to his personal gear.

I relate the story to say, now that I am in my 50's - there isn't anyway I could carry more than 39 pounds everyday. It's not the shape Im in, so much as the mileage on my joints. Be careful what you plan on carrying in any SHTF. I am now one of those "oz eradicators" - looking to rid every spare ounce from my pack (which stays packed and in my vehicle with me everywhere I go)!

Was just reading your pack weight suggestion - and from experience I can say - forget the 20% of body weight guideline - 39 lbs is all anyone will want to target (especially if you're starting out in Georgia)!

...before my trek on the AT a couple of years ago (with my son), I read the book "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson...he is a journalist who lived near the Appalachian Trail and after reading about it himself, decided - on a whim - to thru-hike the entire 2100 miles of the trail...with the intended purpose of writing a book about the adventure, afterwards. It's a funny look at the adventure, human nature, the way people deal with adversity...and how much (and what) to put in your pack...

For those considering hiking the trail, or any long hike, it's a MUST read. it's not written as a technical manual. I won't give anything in the book away...but pack weight is one of the first issues dealt with on the trek...

Interesting build - and an interesting idea - I can see a couple of spots where it might have been cool to make a QSO with such a small little radio...literally in the middle of nowhere!

By the way - because I don't see the picture here - Im guessing you're referring to another thread where TTAB's posted a picture?

... is that the thread showing his solar set-up?

Looks like I'm not the only one who struggles a bit with the ADHD issue! ;)

Quote from: WA4STO on June 02, 2013, 10:41:08 AM

Quote from: White Tiger on June 02, 2013, 10:21:27 AM

So, if Im going to buy a battery - I can buy a couple of those blue tops and run my radio off of it without a problem?

People (least the ones *I* know!) tend to recommend the stuff that they've already done as being "the best"

My suggestion of using the Optimas has merit but nowhere near as much merit as TTABS' red Trojans.

At my advanced age (and weight), I can no longer heft the 110 lb Trojans and I certainly can NOT get them down in 'the hole'.  So for me, the next best thing is the Optimas.

As for your question about 'no problem' with running the Omni, I would think you would want to experiment, over the long term, with the different modes and thus the different power levels that your Omni can accomplish.  For example, running scenarios that balance the power output vs the available battery power (keep your voltmeter on the batts) is always instructive. 

My own experience (in the 70s, I never had a normal power supply, always used an automotive battery cuz I didn't know any better) was that I NEVER had enough battery power.  Never.  And I never considered running my TenTec on much lower power.  Today, I've finally discovered error-corrected modes that allow me perfectly reliable data transfer with much lower power, and I'm content.

Yup, start out with one.  Watch the exact model number.  For example, the 'blue tops' have three different ratings, three different models.  Mine is the 900 CCA model which was $200 each but has now skyrocketed to $269 each.

If you get more than one, remember to connect them in parallel, not in series.  Positive to positive to positive and neg to neg to neg so that the ultimate result is still 12 volt.  Put 'em in series and your Omni will be seriously broken.  Note that TTABS has some of his batts in parallel.  Anybody here know why that is?

73

Luck, WA4STO

You know Im constantly amazed at how patient you all are!

I am sure (make that positive) we have had a similar conversation regarding this - I guess the master (keeps) showing up when (each time) the student is ready....and the lessons never stop (which is a good thing, for me)!

As for the question regarding TTABS running some in parallel - and I realize I'm out of my depth here - but is this to run 24v "sets" for those sources that need a little more juice?

Excellent information Frosty - excellent thread everyone - I appreciate the depth of the discussion!

After I logged off last night I bought a Pure Sine Wave inverter off of eBay. It's not a large one (300w/600w) but it was "only" $75.00 and I only plan to use it for the re-charging stations (specs for my i4 intellicharger are below - charges broad range of small batteries, and can do it simultaneously).

Im pretty sure the small PSW inverter will handle the battery charging station - but just in case I'm wrong - here are the specs for the i4:

Input voltage: AC 100~240V 50/60HZ or DC 12V
Input power: 10W
Output voltage: 4.2V ?1% / 1.48V ?1%
Output current: 375mA x 4 / 750mA x 2
Dimensions (L x W x H): 5.47" (139mm) x 3.78" (96mm) x 1.42" (36mm)
Weight: 5.50 oz / 156g (without batteries and power cord)
Compatible with:
Li-ion: 26650, 22650, 18650, 17670, 18490, 17500, 17335, 16340 (RCR123), 14500 (AA), 10440
Ni-MH / Ni-Cd: AA, AAA, C

So, if Im going to buy a battery - I can buy a couple of those blue tops and run my radio off of it - without a problem?

I'm beginning to see that old Omni D manual mentioned an 18Ah battery because at the time, the Omni D (sans the power supply) was considered a mobile device....I think I'm even beginning to remember a discussion with Luck regarding those REALLY deep cycle batteries...and him saying something about "blue/red/yellow top" batteries...it just didn't stick in my non-techy gray matter...

I thought picking up the 45w solar kit & discovering the batteries were only going to run me $35 each - was waaaayyy too easy!

Just means that I buy ONE blue top now....and one a little later.

Quote from: WA4STO on June 01, 2013, 03:25:55 PM
Frosty's two magic words there are "Deep" and "cycle", Tim.  The one you show the picture of looks very much like a typical automotive, motorcycle or lawn mower battery, not the kind we're striving for here.

Deep cycle or deep discharge batteries are a completely different ilk. 

Just to bring more ants to the picnic, you'll quickly find that the true "Deep Discharge" batts are relatively  expensive.  Because of the intended use.  Consider  a single battery in a little fishing boat that has a little electric motor.  It might use a tiny amount of current  for a VERY long time, and by that time, it might have discharged the battery only a small amount.  Whereas the battery in your picture   is designed to start a motor for just a few seconds (hopefully) before it starts to again receive a massive jolt from the alternator. 

You can tell a great deal from the CCA (cold cranking amps).  Mine (I have four) are 900 CCA, but if the temp is up to 32 degs F, they are then rated at 1165 amps. 

More than the CCA, I can tell a lot from the weight of the fool things.  Mine are sixty lbs EACH.  The best ones I ever had (red Trojans) were something over a hundred pounds each.  Oof!

73

Luck, WA4STO

Ok, but the Ten Tec manual stated that the battery to use is a 12v 18Ah...it didnt occur to me that I could/should use something other than what was specified...?

The one pictured is an AGM, and it's a lead acid cell, and it is listed as being a "deep cycle" type...

See, now's about the time that that "least techy" rears it's head...I am a complete battery noob...

Quote from: ttabs on January 08, 2013, 09:06:12 AM
I drilled a 1/2' hole in the concrete floor of my basement here and - using a fence post pounding device - drove in an 8' grounding rod.  Then it was just a simple matter of hooking it to the cabinet. 




Now that it's grounded - I then used some military foam sleeping pads cut to length as an insulator on the shelves .....

OK, ttabs (and anyone else using grounding straps on their Faraday Cage), I just read something on the link provided by Ken - and linked to by s2Man - that seemingly discounts the need for grounding to insulate your gear due to a solar storm or EMP:

http://www.futurescience.com/emp/emp-protection.html

"...Large professionally-built faraday cages need to be well-grounded, but for smaller faraday cages, such as you would use to shield a radio or a laptop computer, any wire running to a ground is likely to just function as an antenna, and possibly as a very efficient antenna for gathering EMP...

...For shielding small items like radios and other electronics equipment, use the nested faraday cage system of alternating foil (or screen) and plastic, and don't bother with the ground connection (unless you plan to physically bury your equipment).  EMP grounding gets very tricky, and the ordinary rules for grounding do not apply.  (Most high-power transmitter antennas are actually at a DC ground.)

Now, please keep in mind that I am still the least technical guy any of you will ever know...so help me understand if I've got this wrong...otherwise, Im not grounding a metal cabinet or a metal trash can, to protect items I plan to store inside...