Preparing to buy a dual band high power ham radio, 50 + watts. Should I be looking at a dual battery set up for 03 LC?
Tks
Dave
Tks
Dave
Ham Radio Battery Requirements
- Thread starter lucky dave
- Start date
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well, I seem to recall that some of the batteries I dealt with had something like a 60Ah capacity (not sure, check numbers if you're interested).
If you believe the 50W rating on the radio, it would pull something like 4A at 12V. So if it's 60Ah, you've got about 15 hours of continuous 50W operation before the battery is dead...
If you believe the 50W rating on the radio, it would pull something like 4A at 12V. So if it's 60Ah, you've got about 15 hours of continuous 50W operation before the battery is dead...
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
I hate to say I agree with e9999 but a ham raido is not the reason you might want dual batteries. 99% of the time you'll be using the radio, the truck will be on anyway. Most ham rigs draw almost no power when listening, and up to 10 amps on transmit. Most of the time though, you'll also be using low power transmit, and drawing even less power. Bottom line, don't go duals because of the radio.
However, if it's your way of selling the dual battery setup to the wife, then you can quote me: "it's essential".
However, if it's your way of selling the dual battery setup to the wife, then you can quote me: "it's essential".
- Thread starter
- #4
dumb question
Well, I guess that should qualify as the "dumb question of the day".
Sorry bout that.
Tks for the lack of sarcasm. You guys are always patient and polite to newbies and village idiots, like myself.
Dave
Well, I guess that should qualify as the "dumb question of the day".
Sorry bout that.
Tks for the lack of sarcasm. You guys are always patient and polite to newbies and village idiots, like myself.
Dave
Dave;
Keep in mind that these radios (rigs) require a minimum voltage to operate properly. They are designed for 13.8 volts to operate at spec. If the battery voltage gets anywhere near ~11.0 volts, the rig will shut down. Yaesu is particularly sensitive to this.
My FT100d will work down to around 11.1 volt at low power (RF) - 10 watts out or so.
Most of these high power rigs will suck 20 amps easy.
A dual battery system is a good idea.
...
Keep in mind that these radios (rigs) require a minimum voltage to operate properly. They are designed for 13.8 volts to operate at spec. If the battery voltage gets anywhere near ~11.0 volts, the rig will shut down. Yaesu is particularly sensitive to this.
My FT100d will work down to around 11.1 volt at low power (RF) - 10 watts out or so.
Most of these high power rigs will suck 20 amps easy.
A dual battery system is a good idea.
...
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Just for the record, I didn't think it was a dumb question at all. I ran my radio all summer in my FJ40 on 1 battery and that included a fridge sucking power all the time. No problems at all.
I think it comes down to what you do after you shut down the motor. If you are going to sit in camp and yak on high power for hours, it could be an issue. In my experience, this is rarely the case. Most of the radio uses is low power simplex while on the trail, and occasionally some repeater work. Since you are not transmitting continuously, in the end you don't suck that much power.
A dual battery is a nice "peace of mind" thing to have, but don't let the lack of it keep you from enjoying the excellent communication with your radio.
dfmorse-Your set up looks amazing-but you are not the average radio user! You should have triple batteries. At some point I may try to get HF in my truck just for grins.
New Call Sign: KI6MIE
Old Call Sign: KI6CXS
I think it comes down to what you do after you shut down the motor. If you are going to sit in camp and yak on high power for hours, it could be an issue. In my experience, this is rarely the case. Most of the radio uses is low power simplex while on the trail, and occasionally some repeater work. Since you are not transmitting continuously, in the end you don't suck that much power.
A dual battery is a nice "peace of mind" thing to have, but don't let the lack of it keep you from enjoying the excellent communication with your radio.
dfmorse-Your set up looks amazing-but you are not the average radio user! You should have triple batteries. At some point I may try to get HF in my truck just for grins.
New Call Sign: KI6MIE
Old Call Sign: KI6CXS
