(tr)uSDX Off-Grid Gear, Lessons Learned, Settings

[@dl2man]

The accidential combination was probably: Press and hold Rotary, while powering up. I recommend putting a sticker to the back of your radio, with serial number, found ref frequency and RShunt. Thanks for the insights in practical use. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN

[@TerminalElement]

Thank you!

[@ratchetman]

Great information. I am working on a simular setup. Thank you for what you do for the firefighters. Medics are Awesome!

[@TerminalElement]

Thanks for watching! And thanks for tuning into our impromptu livestream yesterday.

[@kg6shq]

Well done sir!

[@Rabbitears1]

You are the man!

[@porsche928ireland]

You have a great channel man !

[@TerminalElement]

Thank you! This has been a fun project.

[@TerminalElement]

Thank you for watching.

[@porsche928ireland]

@@TerminalElementgot my sub :)

[@WaynePatrick]

Love the setup. I’m building a go box with mine too. You gave me some good ideas. How does that tuner work, easy to tune?

[@TerminalElement]

The cheapo manual tuner works amazingly well. It will even tune a 2 meter antenna to 40 meter, matching an SWR of over 20. I wouldn't call it easy to use. There is a learning curve and a technique to make it work. Probably a good video idea.

[@byroncudworth382]

Love it all, im making something similiar except instead of a laptop im using the same exact hard case and turning into a cyber-radio-deck with a mini PC built in. The power source im planning to use is a SHARGE + their solar panel. Havent gotten it yet but ive read great things about them, have you consideted SHARGE for power???

[@TerminalElement]

I've never even heard of it but I'll look it up today.

[@TerminalElement]

OK I looked up the SHARGE. Looks cool. The only thing I would be concerned about is if it can handle being near radio emissions that are more powerful than a cell phone. I have one power bank (not any known brand name) that has inductive charging capability. When I transmit nearby with my 2m HT, it spontaneously shuts down the power bank, which is a massive problem while powering a RPi. My hypothesis is that the inductive charging element is behaving like an antenna and causing the device to protect itself from RF.

[@bhamptonkc7]

Wrap a length of bright 550 cord on the steering wheel to keep you from driving off with things hanging, antennas or wires.

[@TerminalElement]

Good idea. I take my boots off and put them in front of the oven whenever I'm cooking at the station, so there's no way I can run out the door without remembering to turn off the stove.

[@bhamptonkc7]

@@TerminalElement looks like you have access to vehicle power, save the batteries

[@TerminalElement]

We don't leave the vehicle running typically while at post. I bring a deep cycle 12v that sits in between the front seats that we use to top off our electronics. Then, whenever the vehicle is running, the 12v AGM charges from the inverter. I could lug the big battery back into the patient compartment, but then I would need to spend time stowing it again if we get a call. It's more expedient for me to just recharge the laptop and the 18650 batteries after I'm done using them. But, my routine isn't the only way to accomplish this for sure.

[@Rabbitears1]

Drew, what was your power output with the batteries?

[@TerminalElement]

With batteries it outputs 4-8 watts depending on tuner settings. If it's outputting only like 2-3w it's probably protecting itself against a badly tuned antenna.

[@Rabbitears1]

@TerminalElement I'm averaging abt 3.5 watts into a dummy load. I'll check my incoming voltage, it could be low

[@TerminalElement]

That's weird. Are you able to compare with another power source?

[@Rabbitears1]

@TerminalElement Changed battery and now getting 4.75 watts and that is right at 12v

[@TerminalElement]

That sounds reasonable. Just curious but are you using an external meter to measure the output, or the meter on the screen of the transceiver? I don't have an external meter so I'm just going by what I see on the screen as typical output power.

[@KelseyR-vx8kc]

First!!!!!