Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
David, I'll describe my setup for you. As others have mentioned, you need only 2 basic items, a 12V battery and some means of charging it. My particular arrangement is as follows: *100Ah Group 31 12V battery. Mine is an AGM type, which is safer than a wet cell type to keep indoors. *20A MPPT type charge controller to limit charging rate from solar panel to battery to protect wires and battery. *60W solar panel to keep the battery topped off or for QRP use. I had these on hand so use them when I can. *210W solar panel when I need to run full power for extended times, e.g., Field Day, contests, etc. *Battery charger for operation when sun is not available. Mine is a BatteryMINDer 12248; many others available. *TGE N8XJK Boost Regulator to keep the voltage to the K3 steady as the battery is used, and to filter the noise from the BatteryMINDer. *PWRcheck meter to keep tabs on voltage, current, etc. *1200W pure sine wave inverter; not needed for radio, but can run our refrigerator all day in case of grid failure. I also recommend the ARRL publication Emergency Power for Radio Communications by Mike Bryce WB8VGE to enhance your technical side. I hope this helps. Best wishes on getting your K3 off the grid. 73, Dave W8OV On 3/3/2014 6:03 PM, David Peterson wrote: 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. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
I didn't read his question that way, it seemed he wanted to operate in places where there are no power lines. I sold my KPA100 and KAT100 because I was always using my K2 at low power in the field, in the last several years activating SOTA summits. I've settled on LiFePO4 as the best choice. It's not off the grid, all I'm doing is buying energy from Pacific Gas and Electric, stuffing it into a little package, and taking it with me in my pack. Incidentally, if you charge your big battery with a gasoline generator, you're still on the grid. From an economic perspective, energy is energy, if it's not electrons coming from the power company in wires, it's gasoline coming from a refinery in a pipe. Solar, wind, or if you're fortunate enough to own a dam, can take you off the grid. Be sure and include the capital cost of the solar panels, turbines, or the dam when you compute the cost of your energy. :-)) We all use propane here and my neighbor once commented that the price of propane tracked the price of gasoline. He was sure it was a government conspiracy [he has lots of those] and I don't think he believed me when I told him it's just economics. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - www.cqp.org On 3/3/2014 8:53 PM, WILLIS COOKE wrote: 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. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
This is a great example of why people should use REPLY LIST or REPLY ALL in their mail client. This could have been a great discussion of camping and portable power, about emergency operating, etc., but because it was nearly all off-list, it wasn't. 73 -- Lynn On 3/3/2014 9:25 PM, WILLIS COOKE wrote: 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 kc6...@gmail.com To: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@yahoo.com 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 wrco...@yahoo.com 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 w...@socal.rr.com To: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@yahoo.com 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
That is why I put all my answers on the List. I felt that it was a general interest topic that most would enjoy. In spite of my opinion, I got one very pointed complaint for copying another's question to my answer on the list when he wanted to keep it private. This is a prime example of why one should ask questions as specific as possible. How do I use my K3 when I camp for a day is much different than how do I use my K3 off grid. Camping is certainly Off Grid but it is not the first thing that comes to mind. Camping with your car setting there is not the same as Camping with your camper equipped with house battery and engine battery and neither of these is the same as using your K3 at a wilderness cabin where you expect to be Off Grid till the snow melts north of Fairbanks. It seemed to me that the various meanings of Off Grid needed discussion, but perhaps the building of the watch was too much. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman K5EWJ Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart From: Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT k...@coldrockshotbrooms.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 12:46 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid This is a great example of why people should use REPLY LIST or REPLY ALL in their mail client. This could have been a great discussion of camping and portable power, about emergency operating, etc., but because it was nearly all off-list, it wasn't. 73 -- Lynn On 3/3/2014 9:25 PM, WILLIS COOKE wrote: 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 kc6...@gmail.com To: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@yahoo.com 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 wrco...@yahoo.com 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
It's a discussion list. Replying off-list stifles discussion. It keeps valid and interesting ideas away from the general list membership. I don't see any time soon that I'll have a station where I live, so I'm very interested in the camping/day outing approaches. I'm interested in a more academic sense when it comes to living permanently off-grid, but I'm still interested. ... and if someone wants a message kept private, then they probably should rethink sending it. 73 -- Lynn On 3/4/2014 12:07 PM, WILLIS COOKE wrote: That is why I put all my answers on the List. I felt that it was a general interest topic that most would enjoy. In spite of my opinion, I got one very pointed complaint for copying another's question to my answer on the list when he wanted to keep it private. This is a prime example of why one should ask questions as specific as possible. snipped __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
I grew up in Baton Rouge. After Hurricane Betsy, we had no phone for seven days and no power for ten days. But the weather was lovely. That was good, because there were holes in our roof. wunder K6WRU On Mar 3, 2014, at 10:20 PM, Bill Frantz fra...@pwpconsult.com wrote: I fully agree with you about the value of the grid, but there are more common reasons for the power going down that we should protect against: Ice storms: I remember stepping over the power lines leading to a BB I thought I was going to spend the night at. That didn't work, but for EmCom we need to be able to run our radios. Earthquakes: The could knock our local power quite easily. (They are our canonical bad thing for Los Gatos AREE/RACES planning.) Hurricanes: They can knock down the power lines. Tornados: Ditto We don't need human foolishness to need emergency power. I have a solar panel and batteries that will run my radio. At 100 watts, I may run short if there are a lot of messages that need to be sent. I should run indefinitely at QRP levels. The moral is, there may be emergency operations at QRP levels. Give them some bandwidth. Cheers - Bill. AE6JV On 3/3/14 at 8:53 PM, wrco...@yahoo.com (WILLIS COOKE) wrote: 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. --- Bill Frantz| If the site is supported by | Periwinkle (408)356-8506 | ads, you are the product.| 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com | | Los Gatos, CA 95032 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Walter Underwood wun...@wunderwood.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
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 davidpetersonch...@hotmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
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 w...@socal.rr.com To: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@yahoo.com 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 davidpetersonch...@hotmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
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 kc6...@gmail.com To: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@yahoo.com 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 wrco...@yahoo.com 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 w...@socal.rr.com To: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@yahoo.com 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 davidpetersonch...@hotmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, March 3, 2014 6:03 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid I would like to operate my
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid
I fully agree with you about the value of the grid, but there are more common reasons for the power going down that we should protect against: Ice storms: I remember stepping over the power lines leading to a BB I thought I was going to spend the night at. That didn't work, but for EmCom we need to be able to run our radios. Earthquakes: The could knock our local power quite easily. (They are our canonical bad thing for Los Gatos AREE/RACES planning.) Hurricanes: They can knock down the power lines. Tornados: Ditto We don't need human foolishness to need emergency power. I have a solar panel and batteries that will run my radio. At 100 watts, I may run short if there are a lot of messages that need to be sent. I should run indefinitely at QRP levels. The moral is, there may be emergency operations at QRP levels. Give them some bandwidth. Cheers - Bill. AE6JV On 3/3/14 at 8:53 PM, wrco...@yahoo.com (WILLIS COOKE) wrote: 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. --- Bill Frantz| If the site is supported by | Periwinkle (408)356-8506 | ads, you are the product.| 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com | | Los Gatos, CA 95032 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Off Grid (Alaska)
I can tell you about living off the grid. 1979-1989 I lived in a small community two miles from any infrastructure. In fact I lived in a one-room cabin for most of that time and for three years in a wall tent. My electricity was a Sear Marine Diehard battery. I kept it charged either with a 1800w gas generator or charging it off the alternator of my truck. I ran my ham station, a car stereo, and 7-inch DC powered TV and had one 12v light. Heated with a woodstove, cooked on a coleman camp stove, and main light was a coleman lattern. It was not bush Alaska, but very close to it...difference was I could drive out on a road. Ham radio was my telephone. My truck was an diesel International Scout, so I would run it for 30-minutes after starting to recharge the truck battery as the alternator was only 35amp and diesels start hard in winter. So usually I loaded the cabin battery into the truck and parallel charged it at the same time. I did obtain some surplus solar panels but they were too far gone to ever be usable. In 1989 the power utility extended lines up the valley past me and I got both power from the grid and telephone. Cost me $60 for the hookup which I had them bury to the house from the pole (for free). I sold the property in 2003 and now live 100 miles to the west. You can see the log cabin I built here: http://www.kl7uw.com/Hope%20Cabin-1.jpg 73, Ed - KL7UW 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Kits made by KL7UW Dubus Mag business: dubus...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
