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Portable Field StationVA7RLW - Richard Wodzianek
VA7JFX – Nicholas WodzianekNovember 2014
Yaesu FT-897DBuddipole Antenna
Welcome
I’d like to share our thoughts and experiences of selecting the correct amateur radio equipment for field use based on a user profile and use case.
Nick’s Use Case:
Profile:1. Geotechnical Engineer travelling to remote locations2. Need a backup comm system while deep in the heart of nowhere
Requirements:3. Communication range: 1000 km4. Portable station able to be easily transported by commercial or chartered aircraft,
helicopter or boat to remote field locations5. Flexible power options:
a. internal batteriesb. 120 VAC to 12 VDC power supply c. external 12 VDC battery
6. Portable antennas: 2m/70cm, 6m to 40m7. Quick and easy to set up and get on the air!
Yaesu FT-897D
• 2m/70cm 6-160m bands– 100 Watts on 6m-HF bands– 50 Watts on VHF– 20 Watts on UHF
• Operating Modes: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM, W-FM, Digital (AFSK), Packet (1200/9600 FM). Digital Modes: RTTY, PSK31-U, PSK31-L and User defined USB/LSB (SSTV, Pactor, etc.).
FT-897D - Opinion
Likes:1. Very rugged2. Internal batteries3. Fully featured
Dislikes:1. Display is limited2. Menu driven – more
so than IC-7000. Not intuitive
3. Yaesu antenna tuner has no extra CAT port for external laptop control
4. Heavy
Power Ratings
2 Internal NiMH batteries• 20 Watts for all bands when running internal• 4.5 AH – each battery• Provides about 4 hours of RX use per battery• Under an 1 hour of typical TX use per battery
External 12 VDC• 22 Amps – TX• 1 Amp - RX
Antennas1. Buddipole – 2m to 40m bands2. 2 traps with selectable band ranges3. Telescoping whips4. Multiple configurations (see above)5. Tripod stand6. Small nylon zippered carrying case7. Easy to transport – even as airplane check-in
luggage8. Easy to set up9. Use an analyzer for faster tuning10. Antenna tuner recommended11. Recommend inserting a 2m/70cm ladder line
antenna for quick setup – very portable.Put into Buddipole carrying case.
Accessories
1. CD-24 internal battery charger – charges 1 internal battery at a time
One end goes to a 12VDC supply – 1.4 AmpsWill charge from vehicle cigarette lighter socket
2. 12 VDC 30A power supply with Anderson Power Poles
3. Youkits antenna analyser Makes the job of tuning the antenna quick and easy.
Cables
• 12’ 10AWG zip line DC cable with alligator clips for vehicle battery
• Cigarette lighter plug – for low current needs such as the internal battery charger
• Anderson power pole ends
Final Package – Ready to Go
• Radio and gear fits into a “Roots” carry-all bag– The bag fits
easily into luggage or other check-in bags
• Antennas fit into Buddipole case
CARESS’s Profile:
• Have a set Grab’n’Go kits – always on standy and ready for use in case of an emergency or deployment at a remote event.
• Easy to transport and ready for any mode of operation:– Voice, data, CW
• Powered by any available source
Requirements:
• Fully self contained field unit• Easy to carry– Not as heavy and as large as existing Grab-N-Go kit
• Gator case – rack unit– Rugged– Fast deployment and setup
• Power– Mostly external (battery or 120VAC)– SLA 35Ah internal– Solar panel and regulator for trickle charge (optional)
Candidate RadiosRadio Benefits NegativesIcom IC-7000 • Light weight
• All band, all mode• Easy to use• Commonly used radio
• No longer in production but available from Asia markets via eBay
• Not rugged• External antenna tuner
Yaesu FT-897D • Rugged• Internal batteries• All band, all mode
• No longer in production but still available
• UI not intuitive
Yaesu FT-857D • Very light weight• All band, all mode• Low price
• UI not intuitive• Not rugged
Icom IC-7200 • Rugged• Rack mountable• Speaker in front• Easy to use• Low price
• 160m to 6m• Slightly heavy
Kenwood TM-D710G • 2m/70cm• APRS, GPS• 50 Watts
Yaesu FTM-400DR • 2m/70cm• APRS, GPS• 50 Watts• Colour display
Candidate Field Kit• 4U Gator audio rack mount case with wheels
– Microphones, cables, etc. fit in the front and back covers for easy storage and access• 3U Front panel and shelf for radios, TNCs, speaker• 3U Real panel for antenna mounts, power selection switch, etc.• 1U Sliding shelf for notebook computer (slides out for data use)• HF radio• Antenna tuner• Pactor 4 modem• VHF/UHF radio with APRS• 9600 baud TNC for VHF/UHF• 35Ah SLA battery mounted internaly• Charger for internal SLA battery• Power supply 12VDC, 30A (rack mounted) • Power selector switch (internal DC, external DC, external 120VAC)• RT Systems USB-radio interface cable and programming software for HF and VHF/UHF radios• Optional
– Solar Panel – plastic board (slips into case)– Solar regulator for internal SLA battery
Front Panel - Concept
Sliding Tray for Notebook Computer
• Front panel consists of a 3U plate with a concept layout• Bottom is a 1U pull out tray for the notebook computer
• A 3U blank face plate– 1U portion left exposed for cabling
access
• Power selection using a heavy duty switch– Internal battery / power supply– External battery
• Mount the internal 30A power supply• Bulk head SO-239 connectors for easy
access to antennas• AC connector for extension cord • Power regulator to charge internal
SLA battery• Anderson Power Pole distribution
Rear Panel
THANK YOU