As we ve written about before the solar cycle is one of many things about ham radio that we wish we had more control over right up there with our hoa boards and thunderstorms on field day.
Best ham radio solar panel solutions.
The global solar 62 watt is ideal for hiking camping sporting events on campus and at the beach.
This is practically the same as the more common car batteries and they come in various.
This lightweight thin film flexible panel keeps the battery storage topped up.
Global solar is the only solution for portable solar power for all types of outdoor needs.
For more than 10 years the veron has been warning about the effects of equipment that emits unwanted rf emissions.
The idea of a solar powered ham radio station has always intrigued me.
It acts as a system safeguard for all connected.
The recommended battery for the setup is a 12v sealed lead acid sla for short pb.
Solar powered ham radio.
The radio amateurs have known for a long time that pv installations solar panels could interfere.
The tradeoff is less efficiency.
I ll be using a small 20 watt solar panel and charge controller to charge the battery.
Mc4 connectors are an industry standard for solar panels.
For setting up your solar powered station there are 3 items you will need.
A pwm controller is used to keep the cost down.
To learn more about other off grid ham radio solar options check out my previous article solar panel kit systems.
With the right knowledge you can make confident choices that you won t regret later.
We re going to start out small inexpensive and low power.
Powerfilm f15 1200 solar panel the core of my solar power system is this 20w panel powerfilm.
Wel bilt polycrystalline solar panel 20 watt 19 1 8in l x 13 1 2in w x 1in d from northern tool on sale for 70 00 each.
A lack of solar activity makes working the bands from 14 28 mhz 20 through 10 meters and 50 mhz 6 meters a challenge.
The battery is where you get your power from.
My handheld of choice is the kenwood th f6a.
I have an elecraft kx 1 and currently power it from a 12v 7ah gel cell.
Genasun gv 5 lifepo4 charge controller this charge controller is the interface between the panel storage and comms gear.
When operating without a solar panel we go home when the battery dies.
The off grid ham 100 watts for 300 solar energy plant provides a high bang for the buck you cannot do much better at this price point.
In the next playlist battery solar powered portable ham radio outdoors you ll find various examples of battery powered operating with and without a solar panel to augment my battery.
The service life of a solar panel can run over two decades so the decisions you make now will be around for a long time.
That started with the power line communication devices.
It is very important that you use the 7 amp solar charge controller for the p3 62 solar panel.