[ILQSO] FW: Laptop mobile power question

[Dave Chasey]

Hi All,

I realize this isn't specific to the ILQP, but it's a problem I'd like to
solve before next year, and certainly applies to operating in the ILQP! :-)


When operating mobile or portable, what is the best way to power a laptop
used for logging?   I've tried a few different types and brands of 12VDC to
120VAC inverters, but most of them really trash the HF bands, especially 40
and 80 meters.    At the Fort Wayne hamfest I picked up an APC inverter made
for laptops that has the airline plug and cigarette lighter plug.   Being
made to use on an aircraft, I would expect that it would radiate less RF to
not interfere with the aircraft electronics.    Well, it was the worst of
the ones I tested and had loud spikes all up and down the band on 40 and 80.

Dell offers a power adaptor for some of their laptops,
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?TabPage=producthighlig
hts&sku=310-4804&category_id=5493&c=us&l=en&cs=RC964137

(this link may be broken and you may have to cut/paste it back together)
which I would consider buying if I knew it was better, but I'd hate to buy
it and find that it's not usable either.   At least this one appears to have
decent ferrites on the input and output cables, leading one to believe that
they at least considered RFI issues.

How have other people dealt with and resolved this issue?

Thanks much!

...Dave Chasey -- N9FN
wn9nbt at purdue.edu