Power options
| Source | Runs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Radio battery | About a day | Carry a charged spare |
| AA battery case | Hours to a day | Use lithium AAs in cold |
| Truck 12 V outlet | As long as you have fuel | Don't drain the starting battery |
| Solar and a battery bank | Days to weeks | The ranch system can run a base station |
Receiving uses little power; transmitting on high uses the most.
Stretch your battery
Use low power
Switch to high only when needed
Listen on a schedule
Check in at set times instead of all day
Keep it warm
Cold batteries lose capacity
Rotate spares
Charge and test them every month
At the ranch
What you have
- Solar panels and a LiFePO4 battery bank
- A 12-volt or 24-volt system
- Space for a base antenna
What to add
- A 12 V DC supply or converter for the radio
- A fused power lead
- A mast antenna on the shed
Sources: ARRL emergency power guidance; general battery practice
Remember
Carry spares, transmit on low, listen on a schedule, and let the sun recharge the rest.
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Answer key
- Which uses the most battery?Transmitting on high powerTransmitting on high draws the most current.
- Why use lithium AAs in cold weather?They hold up better in the coldCold weakens most batteries; lithium handles it better.
- How can you stretch battery life in an outage?Check in on a scheduleScheduled check-ins save power.
- What can power a base station at the ranch for days?A solar system with a battery bankSolar and batteries can run a radio through long outages.
- What should every radio lead from a battery have?A fuseFuses protect against shorts and fires.