RadioBanter - View Single Post

February 1st 04, 08:13 PM

In article k.net,
says...
Hi.
As a ham radio man, I am hoping you can help me out. I have a DX394 receiver
and usually use ac to power it. I can run from a car battery, with the
adaptor. It requires 12 volts at 500 Ma. What I am wondering is if I can
build an emergency power supply so I can listen using batteries when the
trees take out the power lines s.

What I thought I could do is get a 9v lantern battery and add two 1.5 volt D
Cells . I am not mathematically inclined in the least. If I connect the
positive of the lantern and the negative of the lantern to the corresponding
terminals of the two D Cells, and connect all that to the adaptor plug for
the back of the receiver, will it supply sufficient current to run properly
or not ? I could probably get an actual car battery, but would rather not
have that in the apartment.

Lantern batteries are 6v, I think, so hooking two of those in series
should give you plenty of backup power.

Since I also operate QRP for the ham radio portion of my radio hobby,
using my Yaesu FT-817, I have one of those lunchbox-sized 12v battery
packs. I think Ham Radio Outlet has them for around $40 but you can get
them cheaper (I paid about $25 for mine). Has terminal posts on the
back, plus a cigarette lighter-type socket on the front. Separate
connection on the side for delivering 3v/6v/9v if desired. Can be
charged from the car or via house current, and can even help start your
car if you have a dead battery. That would probably be overkill for
just powering a Yacht Boy, but I've found it to be a very handy
accessory.

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
Email: