They often tell me that one should never ask an engineer the time because he will tell you how to build a watch! I plead guilty to that, but it seems that not all people who use the buzz words understand what they mean and not all people who would like an answer know what question to ask. The simple answer if to connect the K3 to your can battery, use QRP if you can and don't get too long winded and run your battery down so that you can't start the car when you want to leave. Back to answer number 1. All mobile rigs are off the grid! Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart
________________________________ From: Gerald Manthey <[email protected]> To: WILLIS COOKE <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 3, 2014 11:06 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid Hello Willis He was just wanting to use his K3 for camping trips. I explained a battery and either charge with jumper cables from his vehicle or a small solar panel to charge it with. I explained my set up and how I am off grid, most the time completely off grid. I also explained generators to him and explained how I use them to charge my battery banks when there is no sun for days. I also use wind turbine to charge my banks up. Also explained the benefit of having a generator during an emergency or power outage such as storms or snow storms, etc. I believe he has opted for a small quiet Honda Generator to power stuff camping and to charge his battery and run the rig. Think I might have scared him with my set up. hihi the difference between living minimal and living normal off grid. I believe a small battery would do him for camping, but the generator will help during any emergency even at home. 73's Gerald KC6CNN On Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 10:53 PM, WILLIS COOKE <[email protected]> wrote: Maybe I need to explain further. The grid is the network that provides power in most modern countries. It is a network of wiring and switches so that power generated by power plants connected to the grid can be directed from where it is generated to where it is needed by the power companies without sending excessive current through any portion of the grid to overload the equipment or waste any more power than is needed to supply all users. If a power plant is lost or needs to shut down for repair or modification it can be accommodated by other power plants picking up the load. Power Generating companies sell each other power and no bodies lights go out unless there is a real problem and then the companies switch to load shedding so that less critical loads can be shut down, but the goal is to avoid anyone not having the power they wish to pay for and use. I suppose that David wishes to operate free from the grid to prove a point, but the grid > is very efficient and you cannot save money by generating your own >electricity unless the cost of transmission lines is excessive, such as a >mountain cabin or pipeline equipment in a remote location. Hams might want to >be capable of operating free of the grid for emergency operation when the >community loses the ability to generate enough electricity, like the F-117s >did to Bagdad during the Gulf Wars. Nuclear attacks or insane >environmentalists getting their way comes to mind. In which case, we will >need gasoline, diesel or propane fueled generators to fill the need until we >can restore power. We will be in a world of hurt until we can reestablish the >grid. > > >Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman >K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart > > >________________________________ > From: Phil Wheeler <[email protected]> >To: WILLIS COOKE <[email protected]> >Sent: Monday, March 3, 2014 10:31 PM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid > > > >I'm glad someone answered his question. I've been a ham a tad over 60 years >(and using Elecraft rigs since 1999), but "off the grid" baffled me -- though >I seldom operate all battery. Made me think of grid squares used for 6 meters >and such, but I didn't think that's what he meant. Thanks, Willis :-) > >I don't get his reasons either. Maybe he will tell us why. But if > that's a primary goal the KX3 would be a better choice, I think. > >73, Phil w7ox > > > >On 3/3/14, 8:16 PM, WILLIS COOKE wrote: > >David, it just means that you will not use commercial AC power for anything. >You will need a 12 volt battery and a means of charging your battery without >using AC supplied by the grid. You could charge it by an automobile engine, >which means that any mobile is off grid. You could get a solar charger or use >a generator. It brings me to wonder why you want to operate off grid when you >don't know what it means. > >Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman >K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart >________________________________ From: David Peterson ><[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, >March 3, 2014 6:03 PM >Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid I would like to operate my K3 off grid. I >would like detailed information on this. I am not a technical ham, so, I will >need detailed help. I am working on the "technical side," but this takes time! >In advance, thanks for your help. David >KA9GEU >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:[email protected] > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
