[Elecraft] Looking for a good battery/charging system for K1

[Mike Morrow]

John wrote:

>Looking for light weight and capable of 2-5 W for a few hours.
>I calculate 12V 0.4A As far as amp-hours

This is very easy to satisfy.  Select ten AA NiMH cells of about
2500 mA-Hr capacity and a ten-cell holder and a quick recharger
and you'll be set with a small light-weight pack good for many
hours of operation on each charge.  Cells of 2700 mA-Hr capacity
are also available, but I've had some longegity issues with a few
of those that I've purchased.  YMMV.

I like to have a duplicate set of cells (20 total).

>Any good brands?  RadioShack sufficient?  I'll be carrying the
>stuff about 3/4 mile (I'm 54  hi)

I've used the following with good results, but there are many many
good sources on the net:

http://www.batteriesamerica.com/newpage3.htm

Their ten-cell holder is a linear 1x10 array, while I prefer a
2x5 array.

I've been using this pack with my K1 on camping trips since 2000.
I've found nothing I like better as a power source for my K1.  I
tried the internal eight-cell KBT1 pack but removed it after
a year.  The K1 remains my favorite QRP rig of all time, especially
for camp use.

73,
Mike / KK5F