[MarinTeams] Monday Evening CERT On-AIR Practice Tonight

[Bill Smith]

Hi Erica,

Hand-held radios are powered by rechargeable batteries.  The batteries can be charged by either a wall charger (which comes with the radio) or a recommended cable which plugs into the cigarette lighter in an automobile.  Depending upon the model radio you obtain, an optional dry-battery pack (disposable penlight batteries) can also be used to power the radio.

We exercise the radios every Monday night on-air, which in part encourages you to keep the batteries charged.  Otherwise the rechargeable batteries can self-discharge in approximately one month.  The bottom line is they need to be regularly recharged.

Rechargeable batteries (vary with model radio) can power the radio receiver for over 8 hours before a recharge is necessary.  However, this time is shortened considerably if the transmit function is used.  Our experience would suggest that with moderate use of the transmitter, the battery discharge cycle is reduced to 3-4 hours.  Of course we want to be able to operate beyond this time.  

Virtually everyone has purchased the cigarette lighter cable.  The cable allows recharge from the car battery and operation of the radio.  As the radio can run many days from the car battery, this arrangement is our primary method to stay on the air for an extended period.  For example, if you don't need to transmit very much, but want to stay in touch even if house power is unavailable, you can probably run the receiver all day and recharge the radio from the car battery at night.  Or, you can operate from the car as needed.

Some have also purchased a spare rechargeable battery so that it can be under charge while the other battery is in use.  Unfortunately, a spare battery is somewhat expensive.  A very few have purchased a gasoline generator.  Others are thinking about solar cells, but don't know of any yet who have assembled a charging resource using solar.

"Mobile" units are slightly larger, more powerful radios; less portable as they are designed to be permanently installed in vehicles or at home.  They operate from 12V and are typically powered by 110VAC-to-12-volt DC power supplies in the home, or by the automobile battery in a car.

We distribute a handout that provides basic information in the license class and discuss radio models and options as part of our communications classes.

Thank you for asking, and hope you can participate!

Bill
hbco2 at sbcglobal.net


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: eyoung18 at aol.com 
  To: marinteams at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 7:09 PM
  Subject: Re: [MarinTeams] Monday Evening CERT On-AIR Practice Tonight


  Hi Bill

  I met you at the CERT picnic and have a question about the radios. 

  How are the radios powered? By battery or does a base need to be plugged in? In the event of a disaster do we need to have a generator to keep them charged or working?

  Just curious-

  Thanks!

  Erica Young


  -----Original Message-----
  From: Bill Smith <hbco2 at sbcglobal.net>
  To: MarinTeams at qsl.net <marinteams at mailman.qth.net>
  Sent: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 2:30 pm
  Subject: [MarinTeams] Monday Evening CERT On-AIR Practice Tonight


  Have you been having trouble posting to this reflector?  A recent change to the network has been made to make the system more flexible.  This message should be proof positive that your previously rejected messages should make it through.  Please try again!  :^)

  Our on air practice continues, tonight (each Monday) at 7:00pm.  Look forward to hearing your on the K6BW repeater (146.775 - pl 110.9).

  73 de Bill, AB6MT
  hbco2 at sbcglobal.net
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