{"id":18519,"date":"2016-04-25T08:04:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-25T12:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=18519"},"modified":"2016-04-25T08:12:22","modified_gmt":"2016-04-25T12:12:22","slug":"off-grid-radio-portable-power-recommendations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/off-grid-radio-portable-power-recommendations\/","title":{"rendered":"Off-Grid Radio: Portable power recommendations?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Elecraft-KX3\"<\/a>This year, I have a lot of portable radio play in mind as I travel across the continent. At some point, I even plan to spend several days\u00a0in an off-grid cabin on the coast.<\/p>\n

In the past, I’ve powered my 12 VDC ham radio transceivers with a system comprised of three PowerFilm solar 5 watt foldable PV panels<\/a>\u00a0(see below), a Micro M+ charge controller and several gel cell type sealed batteries (a couple 7 Ah and one 20 Ah).\"Powerfilm-Solar-Panel\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The system works well, but the batteries are a little heavy and unhandy when I want to\u00a0hike into a remote site or play radio on the beach, for example.<\/p>\n

\"PowerFilmAACharger-1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In terms of receivers, my portables (like the Sony ICF-SW7600GR, Tecsun PL-660, etc.) simply use AA batteries which I charge with PowerFilm AA PV chargers (see above).\u00a0My CommRadio CR-1a<\/a> has an internal battery that will power it for hours at a time.<\/p>\n

Power is much less of an issue with receivers because they’re quite resource efficient.<\/p>\n

I mainly need a system to power my\u00a0QRP\u00a0ham radio gear, and that’s where I could use your experience!<\/p>\n

Wish list<\/h1>\n

Charge controller<\/strong><\/p>\n

I need a\u00a0new charge controller since my Micro M+ (no longer produced) is now being used to power a remote antenna tuner.<\/p>\n

Of course, I’ll need an inexpensive charge controller that doesn’t produce RFI (radio interference).<\/p>\n

It would be an added bonus if the charge controller could also charge my batteries when grid power is available.<\/p>\n

12 VDC Battery packs<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’d like something relatively lightweight and safe.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em> LiPo packs worry me, especially since\u00a0I had one (an early GoalZero model) quite literally melt down and burn up on my bed only a few hours after bringing it back from an eight hour flight a few years ago. Scary!<\/p>\n

Pure Sine Wave Inverter<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"PureSineWaveInverter\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’d also like a small, efficient pure sine wave inverter that I I could connect to my largest battery and power my laptop for extended SDR spectrum recording sessions while off-grid.<\/p>\n

I’d love a recommendation from someone who uses one\u00a0and can confirm a model that doesn’t create radio interference while operating.<\/p>\n

Recommendations?<\/h1>\n

Post<\/em> readers: Please comment with your recommendations and include model numbers and links if possible. Thank you in advance!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year, I have a lot of portable radio play in mind as I travel across the continent. At some point, I even plan to spend several days\u00a0in an off-grid cabin on the coast. In the past, I’ve powered my 12 VDC ham radio transceivers with a system comprised of three PowerFilm solar 5 watt […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4199,599,545,3,3196,553,43,158,1154],"tags":[486,5012,4102,2175,4126,5011,3304,5013,594],"class_list":["post-18519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-accessories","category-emergency-preparedness","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-portable-radio","category-preparedness","category-shortwave-radio","category-software-defined-radio","category-travel","tag-batteries","tag-charge-controllers","tag-ham-radio","tag-off-grid-radio","tag-portable-radio","tag-portable-radio-power","tag-powerfilm-solar","tag-pv-panles","tag-solar-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-4OH","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7359,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/living-off-grid-the-ideal-shortwave-radio-system-for-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":18519,"position":0},"title":"Living off-grid? The ideal shortwave radio system for you","author":"Thomas","date":"September 23, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"What's the best system for off-grid living?\u00a0From time to time, I'm asked this question in the \"comments\" section of the website or via email.\u00a0 Recently it came up again, and I thought it might make sense to answer it here, and also open it for discussion. Specifically, SWLing Post reader,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Emergency Preparedness"","block_context":{"text":"Emergency Preparedness","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/emergency-preparedness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"While the Tecsun GR-168 is my current pick amongst self-powered shortwave radios, their performance is only mediocre compared to a proper, hobby-grade receiver with SSB.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Tecsun-GR-168-300x248.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11031,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/transceivers-portables-and-foldable-solar-panels-our-virtual-radio-challenge-ii-responses\/","url_meta":{"origin":18519,"position":1},"title":"Transceivers, portables and foldable solar panels: our Virtual Radio Challenge II responses","author":"Thomas","date":"October 14, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Three weeks ago, I posted a virtual challenge for\u00a0SWLing Post readers: \u00a0your opportunity to piece together the best, innovative $1200 (US) radio kit you might\u00a0pack for two years in the remote off-grid village of Laya, Bhutan. You were tasked to track down\u00a0a radio kit\u00a0that would keep you in touch with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Laya-Bhutan-Location-Wikipedia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Laya-Bhutan-Location-Wikipedia.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":32819,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/steve-searches-for-a-usb-powered-battery-charger-for-solar-recharging\/","url_meta":{"origin":18519,"position":2},"title":"Steve searches for a USB-powered battery charger for solar recharging","author":"Thomas","date":"June 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steven Crawford, who writes with the following inquiry: [I'm searching for] good quality USB powered battery chargers for AA and D size rechargeable batteries. Wall outlet chargers are common but quality USB powered battery chargers appear much less common...less common than the packable solar\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/batteries.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/batteries.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/batteries.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/batteries.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32886,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/give-your-radios-a-vacation\/","url_meta":{"origin":18519,"position":3},"title":"Give Your Radios a Vacation!","author":"Thomas","date":"June 24, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In 2013, I wrote the following feature for the Monitoring Times Magazine. Looking back, I realize that I never posted this article on the SWLing Post. Since we're in the midst of the summer travel season here in the northern hemisphere, I thought I'd post this feature from five years\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Radio-Canada-International-Sackville-NB-26-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Radio-Canada-International-Sackville-NB-26-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Radio-Canada-International-Sackville-NB-26-150x150.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Radio-Canada-International-Sackville-NB-26-150x150.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49637,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/a-simple-guide-to-portable-radio-power\/","url_meta":{"origin":18519,"position":4},"title":"A simple guide to portable radio power","author":"Thomas","date":"July 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Over on QRPer.com, I just published a post on portable power that was The Spectrum Monitor magazine's April 2021 cover article. This article is essentially an overview of a few different types of rechargeable batteries including pros and cons of each chemistry. While this article focuses on use in ham\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16029,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/winners-of-the-virtual-radio-challenge-iv-emergency-radio-preparedness\/","url_meta":{"origin":18519,"position":5},"title":"Winners of the Virtual Radio Challenge IV: Emergency radio preparedness","author":"Thomas","date":"December 9, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Thank you to all of those who entered the Virtual Radio Challenge IV and many thanks to the good folks at CountyComm Government Products Group who volunteered an amazing prize package! David Cripe (NM0S), our judge for the\u00a0Emergency Radio Challenge IV, has reviewed all of your challenge entries (click here\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ivan-hurricane","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/ivan-hurricane.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/ivan-hurricane.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/ivan-hurricane.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18519\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}