First Dry Run of Portable HF Station

Putting it all together in the rear garden

9m tall Prowhip aerial erected in rear garden ~ tunes on all the Amateur HF ('Short Wave') bands.

Solar panels charging sealed lead acid battery ~ Yaesu FT450D HF radio on white folding table.  

This is my 6-year old sealed lead acid battery ~ used as a spare as the leisure battery is being charged.

The solar panels are working really well ~ allowing me to run 100 Watts output from the radio. The battery is being topped-up as it is being charged at 40 amps via the solar panels. 

Front view ~ note aerial coaxial cable off to the vertical antenna. Cable is 24 feet long, which helps with the tuning process for the vertical aerial on Amateur Radio HF bands.

Yaesu FT-450D radio ~ using a Heil Hand Mic for good audio response & driving of the rig (to get high power output ~ closer to 90W on peaks).

Even though the bands were not very good, due to a recent solar flare that knocked out HF communication to some extent, the radio did pick-up many Italian & German Radio Amateur Stations.

First Stage of Battery Box Completed

The Battery Box ~ as received:

Top Cover (Left to Right): -ve terminal / 12v socket / Battery Charge Level LED Module / Off & On switch / +ve terminal

Webbing belt in place ~ keeping lid in place.

Underneath of lid ~ main HT wiring to battery (top right) / terminal posts & rear of LED meter + 12v socket at bottom of photo.

Close-up of the LED meter, with 12v socket to left & switch to right.

Modification to the Box:

I have removed the garish & unnecessary label off the box and then bonded the PWRguardPLUS onto the side of the battery box.

I now have to complete the wiring to the 12v terminals & attach the Anderson poles onto the appropriate 12v radio wires.

Another day for this ...........

73 de John

What About Battery Power Arrangements?

This Numax 'all-in-one' battery power box is a unique 12 volt power station that quickly, easily and safely stores and distributes power from a 12 volt marine battery directly to your appliances.

The battery is stored inside the impact resistant polypropylene battery box and connected up to the internal battery leads. These battery leads run through a battery switch and on to multiple power outlets found on the battery box lid.

The power outlets consist of a positive and a negative wing nut thread for eyelet terminal connection and a 'standard' 12 volt socket connection.

The Numax Accubox battery box also comes equipped with a battery power meter that displays the power condition of the installed battery with an LED display. This allows you to have a general idea as to the power left in the battery while out and about.

The box is designed to help you transport a battery during your leisure activities helping to ensure the potentially hazardous battery chemicals do not come in contact with your clothes. It will enable you prepare and store your battery at home, lift (with the lifting handles) and transport your battery more safely and use your battery more quickly, easily and safely during the day.

This boat battery box also comes complete with a robust nylon support strap with a metal buckle and is suitable for up to 110ah batteries.

Internal Length 356mm

Internal Width 208mm

Internal Height 228mm

Box Length 380mm

Box Width 230mm

Box Height 235mm

Current Rating 100 amps

By placing the battery inside this box, I will not be in any danger of spillage & connections will be easy and straightforward. 

I also like the meter + the switch :-)

To make this arrangement more effective, as I would not want to allow the battery to go below the 50% charge level, I ordered the West Mountain Radio PWRguardPLUS which I shall mount to the side of the battery box.

This piece of kit gives me:

• Automatic safety switch turns off if voltage exceeds 15 volts or drops below 11.0 volts, turns back on when voltage in safe operating range
• Momentary voltage dips below 11.0 volts are ignored to prevent false tripping while transmitting
• Programming of custom trip limits available, contact sales for details
• Rated for 40 amps maximum while transmitting, 30 amps continuous duty
• Soft turn-on / turn-off solid state switch protects radio and reduces in-rush current...no relay contact bounce!
• Indicator LEDs and audible alarm notify user when safety switch turns power off. Buzzer may be disabled by user
• External sense input can be wired to a switch or low voltage (3-5 volt) DC input. May be used for:
• Keyswitch to prevent rig use during antenna repairs or when unattended.
• Cut power based on a sensor input such as a water alarm.
• Power up based on a sensor such as light detector or low current switch.
• Uses Anderson Powerpole^® connectors
• Dimensions: 1.25" H x 4.5" W x 2.75” D

This means that I can permanently connect the PWRguardPLUS to the side of the battery box, bearing in mind it has a switch, so all I will need to do is to push the Anderson PowerPoles, attached to the rig 12v cable, into the West Mountain Radio unit & it will all be set ready to rock’n’roll :-)

I can attach the solar panel kit onto the battery within the box.

All sounding rather exciting :-)

73 de John