In this case I'm considering using the laptop battery itself, not opening
it up and extracting the cells. Overcharging shouldn't be a problem,
because I'd be using the laptop itself to recharge the battery. I don't
think that I'll be drawing too much current, either, as the DSW-40 (an
original one) only puts out about 2 watts.

BUT, with the warnings about Li-Ion cells in mind I think I'll see if I
can learn more about the battery packs made for my particular laptop to
determine if I really want to do this.


At 2 watts, your DSW-40 current requirment is pretty low....way below the
battery's A/H rating. WAY BELOW. I=P/E = 2/12 = 160ma.

If you are that worried about using the laptop battery, get a 12v lantern
battery. It will last for months of QSO's. I used one with an HW-8 and it
was FB for about 3 or 4 months. It lasted so long, I thought it would never
run down. With your DSW-40, it might lose more energy through shelf-life
than operating time. :-)

Either way you go, go for it.

73
dale, kg5u