Portable Field StationVA7RLW - Richard Wodzianek

VA7JFX – Nicholas WodzianekNovember 2014

Yaesu FT-897DBuddipole Antenna

Welcome

I’d like to share our thoughts and experiences of selecting the correct amateur radio equipment for field use based on a user profile and use case.

Nick’s Use Case:

Profile:1. Geotechnical Engineer travelling to remote locations2. Need a backup comm system while deep in the heart of nowhere

Requirements:3. Communication range: 1000 km4. Portable station able to be easily transported by commercial or chartered aircraft,

helicopter or boat to remote field locations5. Flexible power options:

a. internal batteriesb. 120 VAC to 12 VDC power supply c. external 12 VDC battery

6. Portable antennas: 2m/70cm, 6m to 40m7. Quick and easy to set up and get on the air!

Yaesu FT-897D

• 2m/70cm 6-160m bands– 100 Watts on 6m-HF bands– 50 Watts on VHF– 20 Watts on UHF

• Operating Modes: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM, W-FM, Digital (AFSK), Packet (1200/9600 FM). Digital Modes: RTTY, PSK31-U, PSK31-L and User defined USB/LSB (SSTV, Pactor, etc.).

FT-897D - Opinion

Likes:1. Very rugged2. Internal batteries3. Fully featured

Dislikes:1. Display is limited2. Menu driven – more

so than IC-7000. Not intuitive

3. Yaesu antenna tuner has no extra CAT port for external laptop control

4. Heavy

Power Ratings

2 Internal NiMH batteries• 20 Watts for all bands when running internal• 4.5 AH – each battery• Provides about 4 hours of RX use per battery• Under an 1 hour of typical TX use per battery

External 12 VDC• 22 Amps – TX• 1 Amp - RX

Antennas1. Buddipole – 2m to 40m bands2. 2 traps with selectable band ranges3. Telescoping whips4. Multiple configurations (see above)5. Tripod stand6. Small nylon zippered carrying case7. Easy to transport – even as airplane check-in

luggage8. Easy to set up9. Use an analyzer for faster tuning10. Antenna tuner recommended11. Recommend inserting a 2m/70cm ladder line

antenna for quick setup – very portable.Put into Buddipole carrying case.

Accessories

1. CD-24 internal battery charger – charges 1 internal battery at a time

One end goes to a 12VDC supply – 1.4 AmpsWill charge from vehicle cigarette lighter socket

2. 12 VDC 30A power supply with Anderson Power Poles

3. Youkits antenna analyser Makes the job of tuning the antenna quick and easy.

Cables

• 12’ 10AWG zip line DC cable with alligator clips for vehicle battery

• Cigarette lighter plug – for low current needs such as the internal battery charger

• Anderson power pole ends

Final Package – Ready to Go

• Radio and gear fits into a “Roots” carry-all bag– The bag fits

easily into luggage or other check-in bags

• Antennas fit into Buddipole case

CARESS’s Profile:

• Have a set Grab’n’Go kits – always on standy and ready for use in case of an emergency or deployment at a remote event.

• Easy to transport and ready for any mode of operation:– Voice, data, CW

• Powered by any available source

Requirements:

• Fully self contained field unit• Easy to carry– Not as heavy and as large as existing Grab-N-Go kit

• Gator case – rack unit– Rugged– Fast deployment and setup

• Power– Mostly external (battery or 120VAC)– SLA 35Ah internal– Solar panel and regulator for trickle charge (optional)

Candidate RadiosRadio Benefits NegativesIcom IC-7000 • Light weight

• All band, all mode• Easy to use• Commonly used radio

• No longer in production but available from Asia markets via eBay

• Not rugged• External antenna tuner

Yaesu FT-897D • Rugged• Internal batteries• All band, all mode

• No longer in production but still available

• UI not intuitive

Yaesu FT-857D • Very light weight• All band, all mode• Low price

• UI not intuitive• Not rugged

Icom IC-7200 • Rugged• Rack mountable• Speaker in front• Easy to use• Low price

• 160m to 6m• Slightly heavy

Kenwood TM-D710G • 2m/70cm• APRS, GPS• 50 Watts

Yaesu FTM-400DR • 2m/70cm• APRS, GPS• 50 Watts• Colour display

Candidate Field Kit• 4U Gator audio rack mount case with wheels

– Microphones, cables, etc. fit in the front and back covers for easy storage and access• 3U Front panel and shelf for radios, TNCs, speaker• 3U Real panel for antenna mounts, power selection switch, etc.• 1U Sliding shelf for notebook computer (slides out for data use)• HF radio• Antenna tuner• Pactor 4 modem• VHF/UHF radio with APRS• 9600 baud TNC for VHF/UHF• 35Ah SLA battery mounted internaly• Charger for internal SLA battery• Power supply 12VDC, 30A (rack mounted) • Power selector switch (internal DC, external DC, external 120VAC)• RT Systems USB-radio interface cable and programming software for HF and VHF/UHF radios• Optional

– Solar Panel – plastic board (slips into case)– Solar regulator for internal SLA battery

Front Panel - Concept

Sliding Tray for Notebook Computer

• Front panel consists of a 3U plate with a concept layout• Bottom is a 1U pull out tray for the notebook computer

• A 3U blank face plate– 1U portion left exposed for cabling

access

• Power selection using a heavy duty switch– Internal battery / power supply– External battery

• Mount the internal 30A power supply• Bulk head SO-239 connectors for easy

access to antennas• AC connector for extension cord • Power regulator to charge internal

SLA battery• Anderson Power Pole distribution

Rear Panel

THANK YOU