My Survival Radio Philosophy and Charging Batteries.

Simplicity and light weight are at the core of my survival radio philosophy. Here is a quick look at how I recharge 18650 cells with a solar panel. / radioprepper DISCLAIMER: The Radio Prepper logo (depicting a microphone) is indeed inspired from a famous flag created in 1775. It is NOTHING BUT a symbol of freedom and independence. It does NOT imply support to any political group. It does NOT imply, represent nor support any ideology with an intent on harming anyone. Freedom means freedom from persecution based on any human trait or belief such as, non exhaustively, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. The Radio Prepper channel is a technology and science channel with a focus on preparedness and use of radio technology for disaster relief and small group communications in times of need. It is apolitical and open to anyone sharing the same interests. .
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[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I like the mention of 18650. With that said, in prolonged lack of logistics AA battery operation is a great option. I like the video as always and helps energizes me to continue learning CW.

[@RadioPrepper]

I do use both...

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for the shout-out Gil. I wrote an article the other day which is related to this post you just made oh8stn.org/blog/2018/04/06/difference-between-contact-and-communicate/ I totally agree with portability and simplicity. For me I'm always using the pulk sled or the hiking trailer when it's not winter. So I'm always assuming worst case scenario is bugging out with pulk, tailer and 21 days of supplies including comms, and shelter. The low current draw radio is incredibly small and portable, but it's Achilles heel, for a CW only rig, is a single mode. That's why I have a variety of capabilities, HFAPRS, PSKMail, Winlink, NBEMS, Voice, two is one and one is none right. So definitely only relying on CW, is a personal choice. 18650 batteries are great. The first battery pack I did for the 817 used 18650 batteries as well. I don't carry a laptop as a primary tool by the way. I carry a tablet! The laptop is an additional tool allowing me to maximize the amount of information I can communicate. That could also be a tablet running Windows or Linux. Unfortunately it's not as portable as your gear, but it's exponentially more capable. I have a idea for you. Create a training exercise where you are lost someplace, and your ankle is broken. You need to give someone over the radio your exact position (so you can ge rescued) without having a schedule beforehand. Your only means of communication is your CW radio. That might put things in perspective. Anyway awesome video Gil.

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

I use 6 packs of 18650 cells, wired as two parallel sets of 3, giving around 12 volts and 2500 mah. More energy dense than AAs and easy to charge from solar.

[@RadioPrepper]

Good capacity...

[@RichyParton]

Brilliant topic! Great ideas thanks so much 🇬🇧

[@W-733_KWX]

Hi Gil, dunno what you used for battery pack construction, but my experience is that these battery holders with these springs just add too much resistance and cause voltage drop. So the last pack i built is made of solder-able AA batteries and while they are in this type of holder, i did solder the batteries together to ensure least resistance possible.

[@RadioPrepper]

Good idea. I use 18650s, didn't notice a drop.

[@W-733_KWX]

@@RadioPrepper That's all good, i had noticed with a set of 4 AA which was too much springs in a row and added resistance of each would produce a noticeable drop in voltage ; good you did not, you got a better quality holder than mine.

[@mdouble100]

I am just in the process of getting my HAM license in Canada. While I still have a lot to learn, there are numerous things about emergency radio communications I do understand. Local comms are likely to be the most important aspect of any emergency communications plan. Being highly portable is of course very desirable in some situations. So to is knowing Morse and using CW. However those things which have the most immediate concern will be local. Having a global reach using 1 watt may be important when gathering reports on the situation in other areas outside a radius of 70 kilometres or so. However in a crisis situation the information most needed will be inside that radius. I think it would be useful to discuss using low power radios as part of a local communications network. After all survival for most people will involve working with groups. This will be especially true for those who have families, or simply are not mobile for various reasons.

[@RadioPrepper]

Definitely, I would say local and regional, not just local. This is why I am getting more interested in the 80m HF band.

[@GreekPreparedness]

Jil, due to my flashlight, radio and prepping hobby I have collected data on USB NiMh chargers among others. I use a Xiaomi Zi5, if you can find one anymore. It has 4 independent slots and can work as a USB powerbank too. Else, your other options are Portapow, Pixo, PowerChimp, Sunjack and Fugicell. With your 2 USB output ports you can also try the 2xAA IKEA and Sanyo/Panasonic NiMh chargers, which are good.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank You! I will check them out.

[@paulepruss]

Thanks Gil! While I'm not more than a fiddler, I have wired my camper van for solar so I'm very interested in what you have to say regarding solar and low power radio. Keep them coming, much appreciated.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you.

[@Peter_Enis]

What would happen to your equipment if there is an emp? How would those batteries charge in winterconditions (cloudy and bad weather, think nuclear winter)? Do you need overcapacity in solarcells to compensate, or do you invest in a small windturbine? How many people know morsecode when shtf that can and will really help you? Do you carry a radio-scanner? Recieving info is often more important then sending (and giving up your aprox positon). Keep asking yourself hard questions Gil, we love you as a person!

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi. A number of my radios are stored in Faraday cages on a permanent basis, along with chargers and other items. To avoid the problems you mention I use low current radios and small capacity batteries. I do indeed need a mechanical way of recharging batteries, as a backup. As to Morse code, it only takes a contest week-end to realise how many people use it. I have no worries about that and I do use SSB as well. I do not have a dedicated scanner, but some of my radios can scan on VHF/UHF. The most challenging remains power generation, and I will improve my preps in that area.

[@Peter_Enis]

Great, you are further in your preps than I thought...! I saw the plastic go-box and thought.....owww noooo...... ;) I use steel suitcases for my 817 and baofeng walkies. The steel suitcases are normally used for storing equipment like drills and electric saws, offcourse a bit heavier than a plastic case but they work as a carry-on Faradaycage and I could boil water in them if I would have too... I've thought about generating power with a car-alternator (12-13.6 volts bicycle setup) and even did some experiments with peltier-elements and old washingmachine-motors...when you see how much effort it takes to generate a few volts then you really start to love solarcells (and their design). But you are right, what you dont use, you dont have to generate!

[@RadioPrepper]

Yep. I might look into homemade batteries too...

[@Peter_Enis]

a bit off-topic.. did you ever try CW over the CB-band? It's a free-for-all so your group can practise encrypted messages in this band?

[@RadioPrepper]

I don't think CW is allowed on CB. Encryption certainly isn't.

[@peterarmitage5357]

HI GIL, we are in the 21 centuary with so much tech about, but we are way behind in battary tech, like you morse is what interests me, have you ever considered designing and building your own transceiver on the frequency you want, its not to difficult, paying attention to good quality components, not to soficticated in function, its possible to keep current draw down to mA with good use good components. voila, very good video, battary consumption and recharge has always been a problem!!!!!...

[@RadioPrepper]

I would like to, but it isn't so easy. I might start to play with simple oscillators, then we'll see... I did study electronics for two years, but that was in the late 80s... Looking at minimalistic designs now like the Tiny Tornado...

[@BlackLabOutdoors]

What happened to your boat? Healthy view on the battery topic. I thought about building my own panel with 6 to 8 solar panels tied together with zipties 5V5W 4s2p. But you can get more powerful chargers cheap on Amazon (even cheaper than building your own for some reason).

[@RadioPrepper]

See svdagny.com. The anchor got loose in the Bahamas and the boat drifted away in the Gulfstream.

[@RadioPrepper]

I am indeed! Great minds meet, LOL. People often have similar types of hobbies...

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks Dan. I do want to go back to sea...

[@tonycantrell9547]

Speaking of the Atlantic, did ever find the boat?

[@RadioPrepper]

Never, total mystery. I doubt it sunk, not right away anyway because the automatic bilge pump was wired directly to the battery, which was solar-charged, and everything was shut tight before I went ashore...

[@billryland6199]

Look at the QRP Labs QCX 5 watt CW transceiver kit. They are built for just 1 band. I built mine for 40 meters & it works great! It only draws about 140 mA on receive & less than .5A on transmit. qrp-labs.com. AND they are only $49.

[@JohnTarbox]

Have you had the opportunity to use either a Bitx40 or a uBitx?

[@RadioPrepper]

I have a Bitx40 bit it's still in the box! Eventually...

[@neubert500]

I know you love morse code but I bet more people will listen to and respond to voice than code. I am aware of the arguement that Code always gets through BUT if you are facing a medical issue (broken leg etc..) I think you would be better off using a local voice mode to summon help. I have run my FT-817ND with a small 7 amp battery and solar panel for the last two field days with plenty of power. I am thankful room exists for both your and Julians opinions, but on this matter I find myself agreeing with Julian. I cant see being injured in the Smoky Mountains and relying on a contact in France directing medical help to me.

[@RadioPrepper]

Fair enough. I would of course probably try local VHF first if I had one. You would be surprised however at how many Morse listeners there are...

[@neubert500]

Thank you for your reply! Thankfully neither of us is wrong, different circumstances require different tools. I learn from all I see one way or another.

[@n8nkqrp595]

I agree Gil. I'm designing one and it's in the prototype stage. I'd be interested in your thoughts on a word document I've written regarding this very subject. If you're interested in reading and critiquing it, look me up on qrz. 73 and 72

[@RadioPrepper]

Sure, will do...