Portable Field Station VA 7 RLW Richard Wodzianek

Portable Field Station VA 7 RLW - Richard Wodzianek VA 7 JFX – Nicholas Wodzianek November 2014 Yaesu FT-897 D Buddipole 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 locations 2. Need a backup comm system while deep in the heart of nowhere Requirements: 1. Communication range: 1000 km 2. Portable station able to be easily transported by commercial or chartered aircraft, helicopter or boat to remote field locations 3. Flexible power options: 4. 5. a. b. c. internal batteries 120 VAC to 12 VDC power supply external 12 VDC battery Portable antennas: 2 m/70 cm, 6 m to 40 m Quick and easy to set up and get on the air!

Yaesu FT-897 D • 2 m/70 cm 6 -160 m bands – 100 Watts on 6 m-HF bands – 50 Watts on VHF – 20 Watts on UHF • Operating Modes: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM, WFM, Digital (AFSK), Packet (1200/9600 FM). Digital Modes: RTTY, PSK 31 -U, PSK 31 -L and User defined USB/LSB (SSTV, Pactor, etc. ).

FT-897 D - Opinion Likes: 1. Very rugged 2. Internal batteries 3. Fully featured Dislikes: 1. Display is limited 2. 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 Ni. MH 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

Antennas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Buddipole – 2 m to 40 m bands 2 traps with selectable band ranges Telescoping whips Multiple configurations (see above) Tripod stand Small nylon zippered carrying case Easy to transport – even as airplane check-in luggage 8. Easy to set up 9. Use an analyzer for faster tuning 10. Antenna tuner recommended 11. Recommend inserting a 2 m/70 cm 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 12 VDC supply – 1. 4 Amps Will charge from vehicle cigarette lighter socket 2. 12 VDC 30 A power supply with Anderson Power Poles 3. Youkits antenna analyser Makes the job of tuning the antenna quick and easy.

Cables • 12’ 10 AWG 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 120 VAC) – SLA 35 Ah internal – Solar panel and regulator for trickle charge (optional)

Candidate Radios Radio Benefits Icom IC-7000 • • Light weight All band, all mode Easy to use Commonly used radio • • Rugged Internal batteries All band, all mode • • No longer in production but still available UI not intuitive Yaesu FT-857 D • • • 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 • • 160 m to 6 m Slightly heavy Kenwood TM-D 710 G • • • 2 m/70 cm APRS, GPS 50 Watts Yaesu FTM-400 DR • • 2 m/70 cm APRS, GPS 50 Watts Colour display Yaesu FT-897 D Negatives • • No longer in production but available from Asia markets via e. Bay Not rugged External antenna tuner

Candidate Field Kit • 4 U Gator audio rack mount case with wheels – Microphones, cables, etc. fit in the front and back covers for easy storage and access • • • • 3 U Front panel and shelf for radios, TNCs, speaker 3 U Real panel for antenna mounts, power selection switch, etc. 1 U 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 35 Ah SLA battery mounted internaly Charger for internal SLA battery Power supply 12 VDC, 30 A (rack mounted) Power selector switch (internal DC, external 120 VAC) 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 • Front panel consists of a 3 U plate with a concept layout • Bottom is a 1 U pull out tray for the notebook computer

Rear Panel • A 3 U blank face plate – 1 U portion left exposed for cabling access • Power selection using a heavy duty switch – Internal battery / power supply – External battery • Mount the internal 30 A 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

THANK YOU