[Elecraft] ... and solar power

[Dr. William J. Schmidt, II]

Interesting.  I'm usually the guy saying or teaching the theoretical "read
it in a paper" side and everyone else is giving me feedback about what
they've actually tried.  Not so this time.

Remember the guy asked me what I do... and you did cut off the last sentence
that says I use this with a KX3 (after all this is the Elecraft reflector).

My flex-panel at full output is 14.87V (photo-saturation), and the KX3 spec
is 8-15VDC at 150ma-2A max.  The panel is 60 watts to roughly 4-5 amps
max... but that is waaaaay overkill for this radio, so, as I said it, works
down to "almost dark" (150ma in receive).  So I don't need an external
battery or any external  voltage regulation (the radio has its own internal
charging circuit and 33uf of capacitor).  These flex panels are extremely
efficient (and that is something actually low in percentage).  Powers the
KX3 perfectly.  If you have a different radio, you may need to do something
different.

You probably own generation 1 or 2 panels... and they are very inefficient
without a lot of direct sunlight.  Agreed that everyone's mileage will vary.


I'd say get on 20 meters today and lets work but its dark now :).  Some
other time.  How about from PJ4 in a few weeks...make it exciting?


Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ
 
Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch
Staunton, Illinois
 
email:  bill at wjschmidt.com

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