mike wrote in message ...
KC8WVG , Bill wrote:
I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter
base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the
current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH
jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly?


I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a
2-meter emergency during a power outage.
In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the
pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer
thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day
on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a
nap...maybe even with the old lady...

Like when a hurricane breezes through town and takes all the light
poles with it. In many parts of town, the lights can be out for DAYS,
not hours. I done seen it firsthand in 1983 with Alicia. Luckily, it
wasn't ours though. :/ Ours stayed on. But the people across the
street were on a different circuit, and their's was off for a long
time. The guy I work with is two blocks away, and his lights were off
for a week or two.

If you don't already have a rig in the car, it's not too hard to set up
so you can throw it in the car in such an emergency.

I have that too. In Alicia, I actually rode out the hurricane sitting
in the car, not in the house. It was fun watching all the power lines
short together in the wind, and then in turn, blow up the transformers
that fed them. They would glow a weird greenish color. The whole sky
looked like that from them constantly blowing all over the area.

A handheld can also serve the emergency needs...and can serve to satisfy
your 2-meter Jones while walking or shopping or whatever else takes you
away from the rig.

I have that too. That way I'm covered when sitting on the pot...

The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't
use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you
need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat...

I have battery power in the shack at all times. Have for nearly 15
years. I have a 706 that runs off battery power all the time. Except
I use big batteries. At least a full size car battery, and preferably
a deep cycle. 17 AH? That wouldn't last me doodley on the 20 amp max
706...I use 100 AH plus batteries. The charger is fully automatic, so
thats not a concern. One plus to my bigger batteries is I also have an
inverter. So I can run a light bulb, and a TV, whatever if I want to.
I've had to do this quite a few times when the lights have gone out.
Sometimes, it's taken a few hours to get them back on. If I eventually
had to recharge a battery during a lights out, I can either swap with
the car, or I can also just take it out and plug it into the car via
the radio power cable. I use anderson power connectors on everything
12v. Any connector will plug into any other.

It depends on the area, but having battery power is just plain good
sense in Houston Texas. You'll eventually use it. As far as
emergencies, I'm covered from just about every angle you can think
of...We are due another big storm. Houston is so built up, a hurricane
just rips it to shreds. If we ever get a storm that is 150 mph,
Houston will be totaled. I'm talking big time. Alica just about
ruinated it, and it was a wimpy 105 mph job...It did roll right down
main street though...Made a heapum big mess. I look at old pix of the
damage and it's amazing. Trees blown down right and left. Our whole
street was covered in blown down trees and tree branches. MK