Retevis Ailunce HD1 GPS First impression

January 21, 2024 Julian OH8STN 5

The Retevis Ailunce HD1 GPS, rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, surpassed expectations in extreme weather testing at -30°C, showing no signs of battery, LCD, or condensation issues after being left outside for three days. The robust HD1 performed admirably, suggesting it’s a serious contender in rugged radio options.

New TX-500MP HF Man Pack from Lab599?

January 16, 2024 Julian OH8STN 2

Lab599 teases a new portable ham radio, the TX-500MP (Man Pack), responding to feedback for improved wire management and a more backpack-friendly design. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

Benefits of adding parallel batteries in an off-grid system

December 29, 2023 Julian OH8STN 1

This tutorial demonstrates how to connect two 12-volt batteries in parallel using Power Queen 12.8V, 100Ah, 1280Wh lithium iron phosphate batteries. The provided YouTube link offers a detailed guide. For related content, explore building a solar-powered Off-Grid Ham Radio Station and information on radio-friendly MPPT charge controllers and off-grid communications.

Building a Solar Powered Ham Radio Station

December 21, 2023 Julian OH8STN 6

The Off-Grid Ham Shack series discusses creating a self-sufficient ham radio station or ‘Ham Shack’ capable of operating on solar power during any grid down scenario, emphasizing the importance of an energy strategy for off-grid communications. This system includes solar panels, a charge controller, battery, and power distribution system. Key elements are the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels to harness solar energy, a solar charge controller to regulate energy flow and prevent battery overcharging or damage, and a battery to store energy for later. As well, power distribution ensures the allocation of power to multiple devices simultaneously. A grid-down energy strategy is crucial to any communication-related emergency, be it CB, FRS, GMRS, MURS or PMR radio, UHF CB, DMR, DStar, Meshtastic or LoRa communications.

Power Queen LiFePO4 for Christmas

December 19, 2023 Julian OH8STN 0

The blog post highlights the benefits of Power Queen LiFePO4 batteries for off-grid projects over traditional lead-acid batteries, focusing on the better performance and cost-effectiveness in the long run. Additionally, it provides subscribers with information and discounts on Power Queen’s Christmas offers, and illustrates how LiFePO4 batteries function in an off-grid system. It also includes descriptions and respective links of the batteries suited for specific needs in the US, Europe, and Canada.