New Amature Radio operator looking for help?

Posted on 25 January 2012 by

Today I passed my tech license exam. Now, what I personally think is the hardest part, picking the radio. Thought taking the weekly classes I debated on a handheld or a small portable radio. I have yet to decide. I am on a budget of around $350. Portability is my ultimate goal with the added factor of range. I have a small (10 Watt) portable solar power system. I would like to have dual (2m/70cm) band, along with auto patch features(can someone explained more about how this works) and data transmission (Please also go into detail abou this). If I had to put a rough number on the range I would like it would be 50sh miles. Plan to join the local ARES and RACES club. So a recap on what I am looking for:
1) information about auto patch, how it works, and the rules and regulations.
2) information about data transmission, how it works, software required, and rules
3) what personally you think would be better: handheld or portable station
4) models of dual band radios capable of auto patch and data transmission

As far as 1 and 2 goes, I know the basics (no ads, busniess, music)
Thanks, I know there is a lot to answer…
73

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Solar Powered cell phone charger help?

Posted on 08 January 2012 by

I’m trying to wire up a circuit for a solar powered cell charger

http://www.browndoggadgets.com/parts/solar-cells/

voltage is good, my charger outputs 5 V at 700mA
I noticed that the cell only puts out 7V at about 60mA. How would I go about making a circuit that can add the amperage? I assume I gotta slap a AAA battery in there or something, but how to adjust the amperage i have no clue. Is this over my head? lemme know

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Help in summarizing this?

Posted on 29 October 2011 by

The history of the development of electrochemical cells is crucial to the scientific study and industrial applications of electricity, for prior to the rise of electrical grids around the end of the 19th century, they were the main source of electricity. Successive improvements in battery technology permitted the rise of major electrical advances, from early scientific study to the rise of telegraphs and portable electronics.In 1749, Benjamin Franklin first used the term “battery” to described a set of linked capacitors he used for his experiments with electricity. These capacitors were panels of glass coated with metal on each surface.[1] These capacitors were charged with a static generator and discharged by touching metal to their electrode. Linking them together in a “battery” gave a stronger discharge.
However, Alessandro Volta, a friend and fellow scientist, disagreed, believing this phenomenon was actually caused by two different metals being joined together by a moist intermediary. He experimentally verified this hypothesis, and published it in 1791. In 1800 Volta invented the first true battery which came to be known as the Voltaic Pile.
Consumable dry cells are sold in a great rate ,they are used in different fields and they are available in a variety of sizes,emf values,….etc.consumable dry cells are not recycled,they are thrown without having a special treatment because batteries contain toxic elements inside it so they need a special factories by which we can safely get rid of them.these dry cells nowadays are an important factor that causes pollution,so the world started to search for sources that are less polluting and are not limited by supply.there are many alternative sources the humanity nowadays is using as solar energy,wind energy,hydroelectric energy,geothermal energy,ocean energy…..etc.
Solar energy is one of the most important alternative energy sources,and relating this field to batteries solar energy helped in decreasing the use of the dry cells by inventing the solar batteries .

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Help for Concept of Solar Panel, Solar Battery, Solar Charger?

Posted on 26 September 2011 by

Hi to all,

a solar battery = solar charger=solar panel ?? Today, my friend argue with me about the difference between solar battery, solar panel and solar charger… Can i connect the solar panel to my laptop or cell phone directly? Is there anybody who can tell me the difference between them?? And does anyone have any experience with an easy to use solar charger than can be used to charge a laptop battery? I’m trying to help a friend out and i’ve got no experience with these.
I really appreciate, thanks!

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Need some help / review of my travel guide across America?

Posted on 05 November 2010 by

I’m planning on randomly traveling to where ever my vehicle lands me (for only about a month or so) maybe take a road trip east to west and am trying to figure out what I need. So far I got the basic essentials like a toothbrush and a few pairs of clothes. I’m going to be living out of my car and/or a tent if I find a campground (hotel at last resort). But so far I got my car all hooked up, I removed the back seats (its a hatch) and theres enough room to comfortabl lay down in a sleeping bag, I also rigged up a 12v mini fridge to a solar panel thats also wired into the battery so it will always run and not kill my batt. (to store milk and such) and have some nonperishable canned goods and bread. I figured I’d stop at truck stops to use the showers and bathrooms. I have an emergency cell phone, computer for entertainment and information (got some surviival guides on there along with laws of every state and other misc useful info) along with some of that stuff printed out for reference.
Other then that I’m good to go, just trying to figure out what else I might need that could be essential thats not comming to mind.
Ultimately living out of my car could be dangerous so I’m also prepaird and bringing one of my firearms which is close to being legal in almost every state (after reading over all the laws) so that should help.
I also got my Kayak strapped to the top, along with a 1 gallon gas gan, and some tools incase anything simple breaks, and a gallon of water.

I’m seeking some general insite, tips, maybe some stories if anyone else has done something like this (in the same sense I’m going for, a simple drie across a few states, or RV’ing), and a simple list of things I might need other then what I got listed above.
The vehicle I’m drving is rather small which is why I got the tent for backup, so as little as possible is good.

Vehicle:
94 Ford Aspire
(While not being the most reliable, and parts are scarce, I have replaced everything in it so hopefully it should last me for the time I’m going to be using it)
It gets almost 50 MPG

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Need Help to Power a Telescope and Laptop from a 12V Battery?

Posted on 24 October 2010 by

So I’m thinking about constructing a small observatory for my telescope but the largest problem I face is power. The observatory will be located away from any source of power so the easiest setup would be to use solar panels and batteries to give me the power I need but I have no idea how long a telescope and laptop could be powered.

The telescope’s power requirements are 1.5A and 12V (but it never draws more than 960mA).
I don’t know what the laptop requires but it’s a pretty generic laptop and probably consumes as much power as any other (however much that may be).

So, using a decent 12V deep cycle battery, how long would this setup last? I’m not interested in the solar panels at the moment, just the battery. Thanks!

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I need help on an Electrical Circuit Design ( 12V DC )?

Posted on 22 October 2010 by

I have a Whole House Generator and I just installed a Solar Battery Charger. What I am trying to design is to be able to read the Voltage from the Solar Panel and from the Battery. I want to be able to read each source ( Solar Panel & Battery ) separately using only one panel mounted DC Voltmeter and one switch if possible. I want the meter to be off until you flip the switch. The Solar Panel will alway be charging the Battery until you read the volts on the meter.

I hope someone can help.

Thank You,
Ned

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12vdc solar panels + batteries = Help?

Posted on 05 October 2010 by

OK here is my idea that i am in to far to back out but am running into the lack of knowledge. I searched for the info and cant find any. Info

First I have built two 15v 52watt solar panels that run into five 12vdc 55ah Sealed Lead Acid Sealed batteries and one 15v 52 watt solar panel that feeds twelve 33ah Sealed Lead Acid batteries. I am also using three Charge Regulator Controller 12V 5A 60W. Now I am not sure but am thinking from help of people on here that the solar panels are not big enough. I live in Irwin, pa and get on average of about 6.3 hrs of sun where I have the panels.

The second thing is I am running a total 12vdc office (monitors, computers, printer, tv and everything else) which I believe uses a total of 93 amps. If I did the math right that would be 93amps per hr which means out of my batteries I could run my office for ten hours.

Here is my questions how badly did I mess up on my math ie batteries need and how much more worth of solar power do I need to run my office for 12hrs a day at 12vdc 93amps. I will be running my office for about 3hrs of sunlight and the rest of the time off batteries.

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need help on changing from 48v to 12v?

Posted on 29 September 2010 by

i have a electric bike because of a bad knee. trouble is soon the four 12v batteries life will be spent. i would like to convert to a heavy duty 12v car battery which i could also charge with my 80watt bp solar panel. i couldnt get any specs on the motor in the rear hub. what do i need? help much appreciated.-if it is a convertor of 12v to 48 were would i get that and from who could i get advise.

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I need help setting up a small cheap solar system.

Posted on 28 September 2010 by

I currently am running a small 5 watt per hour PV panel with a few LEDs attached to it. The problem is that all it is is a device for telling me when the sun is out. I originally planned to have it charge 8 AA batteries in series so I could then use the battery power to run some 12 volt lights at night. This was planned using information I later found to be incorrect. I’m trying to fix this system in as cheap a manor as possible. Is there anyway I could accomplish this without having to spend the $100 or so on a larger 12v solar battery?

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