Portable 12v Battery for SHTF

[randy]

Workin', one way to cut down on your requirements is to see if your radio has a AA battery case available for it. I have one for each of my HTs. Alkaline AAs don't discharge over long storage (do check regularly to avoid leakage damage) as rechargeables do, but it's easy to put in rechargeable AAs when needed.

My plan is to: 1. Use the standard NiMH or Li battery packs until exhausted.

2 Go to AA Rechargeable in the Battery Cases until they are exhausted.

3. Assuming I can't recharge (lack of power/time), go to AA Alkaline and replace as needed.

I've never gotten to that eventuality during a public service event as I have rapid chargers for all of my HTs that can run on 12v (W&W Mastercharger) and spare batteries for each HT so I can usually rotate them using a vehicle, a vehicle Jump Pack, or one of my 17aH battery boxes.

Do be aware that going to AAs, rechargeable or alkaline, will cut the input voltage to the radio and thus cut it's power output. You need 12v to get maximum power on most Hts (so you don't get a full 5w for instance from factory battery packs).

[workinwifdakids]

Do be aware that going to AAs, rechargeable or alkaline, will cut the input voltage to the radio and thus cut it's power output. You need 12v to get maximum power on most Hts (so you don't get a full 5w for instance from factory battery packs).

Correct. Actually, that's why I wanted to recharge the OEM battery instead of using the AA insert, because the manufacturer actually says it will cut the wattage to receive-only, as it probably won't have any reach at all.

[Rumpshot]

Depending on your requirements, the typical HT does quite well on AA's. I use mine that way often. Especially since my OEM packs are all dead. I do have a new one now, but the AA's have done me well.

Power out. On a ham radio. Is less important than most people think. A good antenna makes much more difference than the power output. Most repeaters have pretty good antennas. If you are not working a repeater, you might want to be much less observable. Less power is good then. If you are communicating vehicle to vehicle in a convoy, very little power is necessary.

Like Randy said. Get what you really need and use it regularly. Get to know the weak points and if necessary work around them.

Randy also mentioned a RigRunner. I have one with Anderson connectors to 4 ports and 2 USB ports. About the size of a wallet. Feed it 12V from the vehicle and go. Get a power cord for the HT with Anderson connectors and you are golden off the vehicle battery.

[Termite]

I don't know much about ham radios.

What I do know about is batteries and charging, amp-hrs, watt-hrs, PV, charge controllers, etc. So I can give you tips there, but not on any ham stuff.

My plan in SHTF is to LISTEN a whole lot, primarily to AM. Maybe transmit if absolutely required on marine band or aviation band, CB, or the little handheld GMRS or whatever they're called.

[Weetabix]

Okay, thanks for saving me money! Here are my requirements:

Charge ham H/T from 12v connection (somehow): 7.4V 1400mAh

Cigarette lighter adapter to Andersons to the charger base for your H/T?

Charge 4 AA batteries at once
Solar power for extended power outage
Whole package under 10lbs and able to fit in a backpack

Goal Zero charger?

I'm thinking if you put a battery into the mix, it's going to exceed 10 lbs. If you want a battery, you might look to see what the HF manpack guys use. It must not weigh too much.

ETA: Here are some AGM 12v batteries that might come in under 10 lbs depending on the capacities you want.

[workinwifdakids]

Goal Zero charger?

Funny you should mention that. Honestly, I'm moving way too far ahead of myself here.

I decided on that exact kit this afternoon. The entire kit is 1.2 pounds and folds up to the size of a student 3-ring binder. That and some 2400 mAh Eneloop rechargeable AAs, and I'll be good to go. I'll skip the battery / charged box, and deal with that another time.

[Aesop]

And probably $200 richer as well.