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What can you do?
28 June 2012 | by When your PSU gives in, a replacement part costs an arm and a leg and 6m is up?
Not a lot it seems. My ft817 was hearing a lot of eastern and western European stations but with 5w max and a home made antenna you’re not going to get far despite some patient operators on the other end.
Still it was worth a go and thanks to DL5EL for letting me have more than my fair share of attempts.
2 Responses to “What can you do?”
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I have built a replacement emergency supply system involving a 12 volt 7Ah SLA battery. it is housed in a plastic box and incorporate fusing and a lead running to my FT817. It is terminated with a suitable Yaesu lead but one thing I did find out is that unless the lead is coiled up when not in use it gave rise to RF problems so keep it coiled up and I have stuck in my callsign mug that was a present. I have seen similar unit in QST magazine but these also incorporate charging devices as well. Mine doesn’t but it is easy enough do charge it up in situ where it is placed on a shelf.
It will at least keep you going in the vent of PSU failure.
A very good idea Stephen. I had thought about getting a second supply but they seem to cost twice what they did a few years ago.