On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 22:27:52 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:

One concern would be that many cigarette light plugs and sockets are
not rated for more than 5 or 10 A. A typical 50 W mobile rig can pull
as much as 15 A.

The one in question has never been measured at over 8A, though the DMM
I was using was hardly top-of-the-line, but it was on a 10A circuit
for most of its mobile life without any blown fuses. It's an old
Yaesu FT2700RH, FWIW.

You might consider adding an alternate socket for power for this, and
the Anderson PowerPole is becoming a standard amongst many ham groups.

I've considered just making a block with terminal posts, a few
PowerPoles and maybe a built-in RV fluoroescent light. That way it
can run from the jumping clamps with no worries about the connector
capacities. I had, at one point, started to turn a junked footlocker
and a cheap-but-sturdy luggage dolly into a portable station, and this
might be a good way to revivie that idea.


Joe Bramblett, KD5NRH