Yaesu FT-817 Solar Powered Go-Pack - Part 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ต.ค. 2024
- The parts can be found here:
astore.amazon.c...
This a review of a Yaesu FT-817 Solar Powered Go Pack. I built this solar powered case for my FT-817 radio so it can be used portable without the worry of power and keeping it self contained. It's all contained in the case so it can easily be taken to a picnic, on holiday or attached to the backpack for a QRP adventure. Total cost for all the bits excluding the radio is about $150-$180 (most bought off Amazon).
solar powered ham radio
The parts can be found here:
astore.amazon.c...
You make good points. My response:
1 - The case is vented and has a (switched) low current CPU fan for air flow and removing any possible gassing.
2 - I would love to use a Li-Ion battery, but I've not seen a solar charger that supports them.
3 - There is a power / kill switch on the outside to prevent any drain when not in use.
Thanks for watching.
@ThePauperPrepper Many thanks for your comments Ron. 73s from Cape Town, South Africa.
Thanks John. Yes, Cape Town is home but the family and I are in Cleveland Ohio while my wife is on secondment for her complany. We're due back in Cape Town this December.
If you do build one do post it. 73, Martin KD8LON.
@WatcherofVideos11 LOL..the thought has crossed my mind! Thanks for the comment and chuckle.
Point taken, this was a proof of concept idea. It could be packaged in a far smaller case with a lithium battery and folding solar panel. Cheers, Martin.
Yup, valid comment. Certainly another great way of going portable with the 817. Thanks for posting.
@RIDDICKorigional Many thanks, the battery is an SLA 12v.
Cheers, Martin.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm having a problem posting the parts list, I hope to have it up soon for you.
@jjbravesfan Thanks for your comments. Someone else made a joke about life be too short for QRP and said I should use the 857D! It's not a bad idea, I'm sure it would fit in the case but it would be heavier. It would be handy to have some extra power but I would not use more than 15 / 20 watts. The battery and wiring would probably need to be uprated...but certainly possible.
Unless you are a serious QRP operator I would go with the FT-857 to give yourself more flexibility. Cheers, Martin.
Ah yes, took me a while to find the right component. If you look under the details of the video I have a link to most of the parts in my Amazon store. The part you are looking for is the "Battery Arming Switch". Cheers, Martin.
My pleasure, thanks for the feedback.
@n8zee Thanks, please post when you are finished.
@MrM2hb Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks Peter.
Parts:
* Plano Protector Four Pistol Case
* HQRP 12W Mono-crystalline Solar Panel
* 7.2 AH 12V SLA Battery
* Battery Arming Switch, use as socket for connecting PV and front 12 volt output with Anderson Power Pole
* 15A Anderson Power Pole Connectors
* "Watt's Up" RC Watt Meter & Power Analyzer
* HQRP Solar Power Controller
* CPU Fan
* The two power switches on the front are from Radio Shack.
Hope that helps.
Excellent Job, Well done. Obviously allot of thought and preparation was put into the project
73s from the States,
Ron
KB3VEW
What I have learned from my trials.
1 - The transceiver requires a well vented encasing or else the components will over heat.
2 - Large capacity external lithium ion battery has a higher charge density, lighter weight and much less danger of chemical injury.
3 - A kill switch easily accessible from outside the casing will prolong battery life, because there is a large drain even when only in listening mode.
Very nice and I'm sure you're going to improve it as you use it.
Thanks for the feedback and for watching.
Thanks, if you watch "Yaesu FT-817 Solar Powered Go-Pack: Battery test - Part 1 " and the other parts, I going into that detail.
Cheers, Martin.
@THEBossSound Many thanks for your comment.
@MontanaFLSTF Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching.
Nice project, hopefully the comments will continue to be constructive. I too have used a brushless fan to ventilate lead acid batteries, I suspect you won't be getting any gassing from your sealed battery with that panel, also do you really need a sophisticated charging system? A great idea though and you have clearly put some thought into it.
Thank you for the video! Congratulations on the backpack, it looks like you've thought of everything. Well presented, too. 73 from VE3TWM.
Yes. if you click on the details under the video there is a link where most of the parts for the project can be found. Thanks for watching.
@mjlorton Thanks a bunch! I look forward to more videos with the 817 and your solar pack.
@jimawhitaker Thanks for you comment and watching.
@twmckim Many thanks, appreciate your feedback.
WOW, well thought out and executed! You obviousy spent a good amount of time on this. Well done sir!
Cheers!
K9EZ
@ikebukurosunshine60 Thanks for your feedback.
@jjbravesfan depending on what you want.
the rig's are almost the same, the ft-817 is very small, 5w internal battery. and the ft-857 a little bit bigger, AF dsp, 100w no internal battery. other wise they are identical.
the 897 is pretty much identical to the 857 but it can have an internal power supply and a battery or two batteries. and is a bit bigger also. all three nice little radios. :)
@MontanaFLSTF Hi, I used the "HQRP Solar Power Controller 10Amp 150W with Digital LED Display" from Amazon. It's a cheap PWM charger but it does the job. Thanks for watching.
Sorry...I tried including the price and product code so you could look it up on amazon...but TH-cam does not seem to allow that....
Do you have a list of all the parts/model #'s that you used to make this pack? I really like the way you have it all setup, great job!
@tsunamiortega Thanks for you comment. I don't sell them I just put this together as a project for myself. If you look through earlier comments you'll come across a parts list that may help you.
I did not consider using a tuner as I have a tuned end fed 40m dipole antenna.
Feel free to ask any more questions if you have any.
Cheers,
Martin.
Wonderful ! A transceiver about 1kg, with 10kg packaging ... Are you serious ?
Great job,will start on mine soon
this is a nice set up
@mjlorton the 857 does 20W max on internal power.
Unlike the 817 it can do "full power" with the internals ;)
I Very muck like your back pack.
73's de OY1R.
Hello, this is a fantastic video, thank you so much for posting. What would your thoughts be on a rig such as this for the 857D? My main concerns are how it would fit into the case but more importantly, would I be able to use it (on low power mostly) and achieve the same self-sufficient power that you have done with the FT-817? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I am just starting to learn about HF rigs and am debating whether I should buy a FT-857 or FT817. Thanks!
Fantastic setup, makes me want to build a similar one. Your accent is distinctly South African, but I see a snow shovel against the wall, and you said your temp was 2 C, so I guess you are in Canada or the Northern USA. What is your callsign ? Congrats on an excellent job with the backpack. 73, John - ZS5J and C91J
Very nice project, I really like the idea
Amazon product code: B0006HWYJM
The description is:
Velcro Industrial Strength Sticky-Back Hook and Loop Fasteners, 2 Inches x 15 Feet Roll, White
Thanks again for you interest.
Great project. Inspired me to build one too. However the links in the description didn't work for me. Can you please let me know make and model of your solar panel please? Also, make and brand of your box? Maybe the item number? Thank you for your time. Ed - W4EMB 73
@DJChakzilla Thanks!
Hi, I'm building a power pack just like you with the same case hopefully you can help me out. How to you mount the anderson connectors to the case? Looks like they are screwed in... I want to do the solar panel connection the same as you but I'm waiting to order the anderson connectors until i figure out how to attach them to the case!
@mjlorton
1 - My mistake, the low resolution youtube video makes it look as if the 817 is immersed in foam. I found it most effective if the air current passed over the back panel.
2- Some external lithium ion batteries have their own built in charge regulators. All it needs is a DC current.
3 - Perhaps if a lever was placed extending towards the front, it can be connected to a hand generator. As a person walks he has a natural tendency to swing his arms.
Nice work and good video presentation to... tnx
Nice work.
Nicely made!
The FT817 is a really good portable radio, but aren't you using a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Your pack just seems far to large for such a small radio. Over kill comes to mind. Sorry if I sound negative.
@bugattifan1001 true true :) have you used the pack out in the field yet ?
Is there a way u can show or tell what parts are needed to make one of my own but smaller
this FT817... is it really annoying that it has no DSP noise reduction, poor selectivity, general high noise floor and lose SEL button ? Which of these are real issues getting in the way of normal field use of radio? Thanks. I appreciate your videos.
The new FT818 that is coming out also has the same short comings. I want the FT-891. it only weighs 2 lbs more and i can dial the power down to 5 watts for portable low power use. I prefer to use a separate transceiver for VHF/UHF use. It is available for only $629 cant beat it.
Where did you get the commercial grade velcro?
WOW! GREAT
Nicely done! 73 K6SPS
Thanks very much for the feedback Stephen
Now just replace the 817 with the 857D and you'll have a great setup! Life's too short for QRP :)
Cool)))
Im making a solar powered computer using raspberry pi dose anyone know of any low watt DC monitors
An alternative could have been an ALICE pack.
Very nice. AI4QT
AI4QT Thanks!
Surprised nobody commented on the poor sound.
Also out of sync with vision so can't help with lip reading.
I just lost interest even though I wanted to listen.
What's the point! ?