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On 7/8/2010 12:54 PM, Paul W. Schleck wrote:
I see from your QRZ callbook entry that you are retired, living and traveling in an RV: http://www.qrz.com/db/WA8YXM That clears up some initial confusion of mine (and possibly others on the newsgroup) why you might be operating from your bathroom. Space can be limited when your current home is on wheels. Any other particular furnishing/ergonomic/logistical challenges you encounter from operating mobile full-time? I wondered if anyone would figure it out.. But the way this is a bath and a half model.. The "Half" is also Half ham-shack (The full bath with showere gets a bit steamy from time to time, not good for electronics, thought there is a way I could do it there too and keep the rig dry (Handy cabinet) The biggest issues with full time portable motor home are 1: Antennas: My prefered antenna is 100' of 12ga Stranded copper. Of course with your house is only 38 feet long where do you anchor the other end? (I used to just toss it over a handy tree, But one park manager complained so now i use a portable tree (pole with guy lines, (nylon, not wire) 2: Freezer space.. We have 2 freezers but.. hey that's the other kind of HAM. On the plus side I'm fully emergency powered with over 1,000 watts of stored power in the main house batteries, about the same in the 2nd bank (After market) and 5,500 watts of very nice quiet Onan Emerald Gold generator..... Provided I can afford the gas. Twin Air conditioners keep the shack (And rest of the house) cool on even the hottest Michigan days. I have done soem "Custom" work .. For example I added a removable shelf in front of the radio for the log book or general electronics work. Another issue is the power in many RV parks. Getting a solid 110-120 volts is not always possible. A Hughes autoformer takes care of that. The radio, however, runs off 12 volts (Well, battery voltage) and as it happens the 12 volt distribution panel in this rig (rated 80 amps or more) is ... Less than six feet from the radio and open to the cabinet that is under the radio. So instead of a very expensive Kenwood regulated supply.. I use a Progressive Dynamics 9180 with charge wizard and a 220 amp hour "Filter Capicator" ...ur, battery bank. Very Nice. If I ever move back into a house I will swap the U-2200's (GC-2 size golf car batteries) for a G-31 AGM or two (Less gassing, better for in house power) and a good 3-stage converter/charger such as the charger section of a xantrex Prosine True sine Wave inverter/charger for the radio.. Full Emergency power.. If the lights go out in wherever I'm parked.. In the raiio room. I don't even notice. The only 120 volt stuff in there (Mostly a voltmeter) switches to the inverter. |
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