[Mobile-Portable] HF mobile newbie question

[Rick Markey, KN3C]

Scott,

I don't even like running VHF/UHF rigs off of a cigarette lighter
connection.  It doesn't take much to heat up the plug and cause a melt
down.

The 101ZD's older brother, the FT-101E, had a 12V inverter built into
the radio.  I ran an FT-101E mobile but the 12V connection went directly
to the battery.  I'm sure you'll hear the same thing from everyone else
on the list.  No matter what kind of HF rig you are trying to use, a
direct DC connection to the battery is a must.

I assume the 101ZD doesn't have the built in inverter and you're trying
to use a 12V DC to 110V AC inverter?  I would think a 300W inverter
would be marginal for that purpose but you might swing it with the
inverter connected directly to the battery.

de Rick, KN3C

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Hello:

I have been trying to connect a Yaesu FT101ZD (has one 6146B final) to 
my car battery via the cig. lighter and a Portawattz 300 W inverter 
(rated at 30A max) with no success. When I turn on the rig, after a 
short time , the inverter alarm starts beeping and power begins to shut 
down or be intermittent. Is it because my cig lighter outlet is rated 
only for 10 amps (the rig draws up to 20)? Would a portable 
powerpack-type unit instead of the car battery be better? I don't relish

having to connect directly to the car battery. I want to go portable to 
islands in the area (IOTA / USI), and would like to get this rig on as I

don't have the $ to buy a dedicated mobile rig.

Tnx
Scott W1AL

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