Thanks, yes I was talking about the FT5DR.? I shouldn’t trust my memory.? I’ll see if anyone else has any comments, but will probably pick it up. Scott ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Bernd - KB7AK via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2025 1:34 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W7AIA] Yasue HT5dr? You probably mean FT5DR, I have the predecessor, the FT3DR, and I like the radio. The FT5 has even better screen resolution as far as I know. The touch screen is easy to operate and the menu structure in pretty intuitive. You have built-in APRS that allows for sending text messages via the onscreen keyboard (certainly easier than using buttons) and the battery has a decent life span.
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You probably mean FT5DR, I have the predecessor, the FT3DR, and I like the radio. The FT5 has even better screen resolution as far as I know. The touch screen is easy to operate and the menu structure in pretty intuitive. You have built-in APRS that allows for sending text messages via the onscreen keyboard (certainly easier than using buttons) and the battery has a decent life span.
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Bernd - KB7AK
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Looking for any feedback or comments, good or bad, on the Yaesu HT5DR radio.? I may be able to buy a used but nearly new radio for a great price and was wondering if it is worth it.? Scott
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Re: Any new general class operators looking for an HF rig?
That's good advice, Emma.
In fact, I sold my previous rig (TS-130S) there.
But this time, I thought I'd try local first and hopefully avoid the complexities of shipping.
Thanks.
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73, Mike KK7ER
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Re: Any new general class operators looking for an HF rig?
QRZ.com has a Swapmeet section where people sell their ham gear.?
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Any new general class operators looking for an HF rig?
Hi All,
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I just upgraded my HF rig and my needs a new home.
I bought it new in 2018 and have really enjoyed it.
It is a great modern entry level HF rig (160-6m, auto-tuner, 100W, AM/FM/SSB/CW) and has served me well.
It is in very good condition.? The only known issue is that the cooling fan rattles.
I spoke with the Yaesu service department, ordered the part, and?hope to have the new fan installed in a couple weeks.
The price is negotiable, but I see they are going for around $600 online.
It comes with stock microphone and power cable.
I would throw in a 30A power supply (MFJ-4230MV), computer CAT interface cable, and computer audio interface.
And I'd be glad to deliver it and help the new owner get it set up and running smoothly (if necessary).
If interested, please contact me directly -- I'm in the or you can direct message me through groups.io.
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73, Mike KK7ER
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This is all good information.? I'll be activating again in a couple weeks and should? have this all worked out by then.? Thank you for all the good information.??
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73, mm
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BTW, in a recent iEARS (Intel Emergency Amateur Radio Services) net, Charles Congdon W1ZPB, led a discussion on batteries.? Here is the summary he sent out afterward:
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Friends:
??????????? On Tuesday’s net we had a good discussion about making your own battery box and the care and feeding of lithium-ion batteries.??
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??????????? First, what you need to know is that there are about 6 different chemistries of lithium-ion batteries out there.?? Lithium polymer batteries (LiPo) are great for high-current applications (drones).? Other lithium chemistries are present in things like power drills, vape pens, and battery-powered scooters.? These chemistries are more likely to burn down your house if abused, charged incorrectly, etc.?? They also don’t like being stored at a high state of charge.
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For radio Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is preferred as it is much more tolerant to abuse, can hold higher charge for longer without damage, and has a longer lifespan.?
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Here is an article that discusses lithium batteries and lithium battery safety in more depth:??.?? And here is one on LiFePO4 in particular:??
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?????? Here are more links detailing the differences in different lithium chemistries:
??????????? Here is the chart I have on all my LiFePO4 batteries:
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??????????? NOTE:?? This is no-load voltage, not voltage under load.?? Which is where Loren’s advice comes into play:?? you really want to have an inline meter measuring energy (watts) you have taken from the battery, so you know how much of its total capacity you have consumed (nominal voltage times amp-hour rating).?? Stop when you have drawn 80%.
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??????????? Note that different battery chemistries, including different lithium chemistries, have different tables from the LiFePO4 table above.?? See this article for comparison/contrast:??
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??????????? Here are some discussions to discuss much of this in more depth:
? ? ? ??
???????? Finally, there are other factors that need to be considered in order to keep the lithium battery healthy and safe to use (such as current protections, temperature protections, cell balancing, charger with the right profile, etc…). ? With this many variables to track, this is why electronic BMS (Battery Management System) is an equally important component to consider for any battery solution.
??????? Having said all this, please keep in mind that even if all the correct steps are being followed to build a DIY battery, something can still go wrong.
If one is being built by yourself, you do so at your own risk.
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- Ideally, buy a commercial battery from a reputable vendor with known good internals (yes, 99% are made in China, but some are?much?better than others in terms of protection factors).?? Reviews including tear-downs of lots of batteries, some scary cheap, can be found here:??
- NEVER make a battery of your own from cells without a quality BMS that provides low and high-temperature charge protection [which you can test], high and low voltage and current protection, high and low state of charge protection, cell balancing, etc.?? Good commercial batteries will have such a BMS
- *Only* use the charger designed for that particular battery (the OEM charger), not a random fast or “high” capacity charger.?? This is true whether we are talking about an E-bike, “hoverboard,” or ham radio.?? The cheap “just like the manufacturer charger only faster, stronger, etc.” can damage your battery.
- Do not buy “reclaimed” cells (typically manually knocked out of a Tesla battery pack) – buy quality grade-A cells
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????? And? yes, even if you do everything right, it’s still at your own risk.?? Leaving these things in a closed car during a hot day once, charge below freezing once, over-charging or over-discharging because you have a poor BMS, a puncture or crush, and the battery may be permanently damaged (and in these batteries “damage” = pulling the pin from a grenade – these things damage the separator in the battery which will eventually lead to thermal runaway = super-fast and hot fire.? Maybe in minutes, maybe in hours, maybe in days or years)
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Hope this helps.
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73, Mike KK7ER
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Yep, the consensus in many of the ham radio forums is that Bioenno is the best.
And their customer service gets rave reviews.
But I'm cheap.
I recently picked up an EcoWorthy 20Ah LiFePo4 battery when they were on sale on Amazon.
It replaces another cheap Miadi 8Ah LiFePo4 battery that, sorry to admit, I did not care for properly.
I ran FT8 on my FT-450D for a few hours, running the battery down to 40% and recharged.
So after only one charge cycle, the jury is still out.
But this time, I will regularly maintain the battery and expect it to last a long time based on the reviews.
BTW, this YouTuber tears down and reviews lots of batteries: ?
(and what I've learned from him correlates well with what my electrical engineer buddies tell me).
FYI.
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73, Mike KK7ER
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The presentation in Dave's post is very good.? It's definitely worth watching again.??
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73, mm, Af7MM
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Most people I know have Bioenno.? They're supposed to be very good.? I guess I'm thinking of starting off with a less expensive battery until I am comfortable with it.? I was thinking of Talentcell or EcoWorthy.? I'd rather practice on something a little less.? I've only set up a mobile station 3 times.? Someone told me to go down to Battery Plus and see what they have.? I"m going down in the next couple days.? I may start with something from there.? ?Once I've used it a while I'll upgrade.?
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73, mm, Af7MM
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I have a few of those LiFePo batteries, while they cost more than a standard?battery, they also have a much longer lifespan, so at the end of the day your additional expense is actually worth it more cost effective. All of mine are from Bioenno, so I am probably biased in my opinion...? Before you buy, wait for a weekend with a larger hamfest (or SeaPac) to get discounts (or no sales?tax).
Bernd - KB7AK
This is a difficult question to answer.? I will give you a simple estimate of battery size needed for 100 watt radio.? When transmitting the radio will draw 20 amps from the battery.? If you transmit 20 % of the time for 4 hours it will need .2*20*4= 16 amp hour battery.? Lead acid batteries can only work to about 75% of their capacity so at least a 20 amp hour battery is needed.? The new iron phos work much better up to about 95% capacity but they are also more expensive. The new iron phos batteries weigh much less than the old sealed lead acid batteries.? ?
? The link is to a presentation by W6TRW about portable operation.? He has lots of data about low power and light weight set ups.? ? Dave WZ8T ? ? I would like to know what kind of batteries to use for Pota.? I need a Lithium Ion Phosphate deep cycle rechargeable 12v and would like maybe 10 to 15aH.? I'd like to know what brands are out there that are good ones.? Opinions please.
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This is a difficult question to answer.? I will give you a simple estimate of battery size needed for 100 watt radio.? When transmitting the radio will draw 20 amps from the battery.? If you transmit 20 % of the time for 4 hours it will need .2*20*4= 16 amp hour battery.? Lead acid batteries can only work to about 75% of their capacity so at least a 20 amp hour battery is needed.? The new iron phos work much better up to about 95% capacity but they are also more expensive. The new iron phos batteries weigh much less than the old sealed lead acid batteries.? ?
? The link is to a presentation by W6TRW about portable operation.? He has lots of data about low power and light weight set ups.? ? Dave WZ8T ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Marilyn (Emma) AF7MM via groups.io
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2025 17:37
To: [email protected]
Subject: [W7AIA] Batteries? I would like to know what kind of batteries to use for Pota.? I need a Lithium Ion Phosphate deep cycle rechargeable 12v and would like maybe 10 to 15aH.? I'd like to know what brands are out there that are good ones.? Opinions please.
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I would like to know what kind of batteries to use for Pota.? I need a Lithium Ion Phosphate deep cycle rechargeable 12v and would like maybe 10 to 15aH.? I'd like to know what brands are out there that are good ones.? Opinions please.
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73, Marilyn, Af7MM
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Inserting pictures was not working earlier.
Bernd thinks he fixed it so here's a test.
This is N7BIN activating Battleground Lake from the car back in Winter 2022.? : )
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73, Mike KK7ER
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Congratulations on your first POTA activation!
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73, Mike KK7ER
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I totally missed it, I usually always check the POTA ans SOTA activations but somehow yesterday it slipped my mind.
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What was your setup if I may ask?
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Bernd - KB7AK
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Yesterday I went to Fort Vancouver and activated POTA for my first time.? I made contacts with the east coast mainly, and ended up with 23 contacts in 50 minutes.? I'm pretty pleased.? I've hunted from home many times but now I want to activate.? I am hoping to go to Battle Ground Lake in the next few weeks and see what I can do.??
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Thank you for post Mike.
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Bernd - KB7AK
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Thanks for telling us about this group in your newsletter article. It will be a great resource!?
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Mike - KK7ER
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