[Elecraft] Running the KX3 and KXPA100 Off Battery

[Jim Brown]

On Tue,5/26/2015 10:13 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> Thanks for any help you can provide — actual field experience preferred.

You might want to reconsider your battery choices. Of what's available, 
LiFePO4 batteries seem to be in the "sweet spot" for operation of our 
gear. Their advantages include terminal voltage that matches our gear 
designed to work on 12-14V, a nice flat discharge curve, a much better 
safety profile than Li Ion, and less demanding charging requirements.

I bought a BLF-1220W 20Ah pack from these folks, and loaned it and my 
KX3, KXPA100, and PX3 to a couple of guys who were activating a rare 6M 
grid. It's a demanding hike up a mountain to the site, so weight was a 
major factor. The low current drain of this rig on RX allowed them to 
work all day on that battery, and the terminal voltage was 13V when they 
went QRT. They also carried a second 20Ah pack loaned by W6GJB, but 
didn't need it. As luck would have it, the band never opened while they 
were there, so they made only 17 QSOs. They easily might have used up 
both batteries if the band had opened.

http://www.bioennopower.com/pages/comm-equipment-ham-radio

Note the weight of the battery I chose, and compare it to the other 20Ah 
batteries listed.

Here's another excellent battery vendor. W6GJB bought his from them. 
Both companies provide intelligent applications advice by email and land 
line.

http://www.batteryspace.com/

73, Jim K9YC