Comments for SAR Gear http://sargear.sherman.ca Ideas, opinions and commentary on SAR related gear Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:26:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 Comment on Cross-Posts on Batteries, Chargers and Light Sources by Nic http://sargear.sherman.ca/2010/03/cross-posts-on-batteries-chargers-and-light-sources/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Nic Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:26:24 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=26#comment-18 I have used the Energizer and Sanyo NIHM batt. The Energizers are either 2200 or 2500 NIHM. If use fresh ie. right out of the charger they last longer, but since this is often not the case and the batteries sit for a while, they suck as in the discharge rate is quick. The Sanyo ENLOOP is also a NIHM 2100 or 2200, they stay charged forever, the discharge rate is extremely slow. I bought them at Costco but from Sanyo website there is a distributor in Orleans. I use my 15 minute Energizer charger with them, this charger comes with 120v or 12v adaptors thus while on my way to an outing i can charge 4 batteries. Also cool is that Sanyo has adaptors sleeve where a AA size battery is inserted into a C or D cell sleeve. I use for headlamp a Petzl DuoBelt Led 14. The batery pack is not on the headband but in a waterproof care that I clip to either a belt, in a pocket or pack and provided me with 30 hours of light. With the SAnyo sleeves all my batteries are AA so I have sufficient backup and should light become issue i can take batteries out of the GPS or viceversa. Nic I have used the Energizer and Sanyo NIHM batt. The Energizers are either 2200 or 2500 NIHM. If use fresh ie. right out of the charger they last longer, but since this is often not the case and the batteries sit for a while, they suck as in the discharge rate is quick. The Sanyo ENLOOP is also a NIHM 2100 or 2200, they stay charged forever, the discharge rate is extremely slow. I bought them at Costco but from Sanyo website there is a distributor in Orleans. I use my 15 minute Energizer charger with them, this charger comes with 120v or 12v adaptors thus while on my way to an outing i can charge 4 batteries. Also cool is that Sanyo has adaptors sleeve where a AA size battery is inserted into a C or D cell sleeve. I use for headlamp a Petzl DuoBelt Led 14. The batery pack is not on the headband but in a waterproof care that I clip to either a belt, in a pocket or pack and provided me with 30 hours of light. With the SAnyo sleeves all my batteries are AA so I have sufficient backup and should light become issue i can take batteries out of the GPS or viceversa.

Nic

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by Marc DesRosiers http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Marc DesRosiers Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:44:43 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-12 We used this antenna with Peter's repeater this weekend to support Winterman. Before firing it up, I put the antenna on the analyzer and confirmed that SWR was under 2.0 for the entire rated spectrum. Interestingly, the swr was higest in the VHF amateur portion of the band and actually dropped in the 151 MHz range. We used this antenna with Peter’s repeater this weekend to support Winterman. Before firing it up, I put the antenna on the analyzer and confirmed that SWR was under 2.0 for the entire rated spectrum. Interestingly, the swr was higest in the VHF amateur portion of the band and actually dropped in the 151 MHz range.

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by peterdevanney http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-10 peterdevanney Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:12:43 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-10 I have run several (ex 3 or 4 ) radios without any problems. I generally run no higher than 10-25 watts routinely. When I have had to run higher power, I would turn off other radio(s) ( out of an abundance of caution) if in the same band but I am also sure I have forgot to do that on many occasions without issue. The worst you would get is a big squawk from an adjacent radio. Some of the earlier solid state RF amplifier transistors were more sensitive to high power near fields but I believe todays radios are pretty robust. I have run several (ex 3 or 4 ) radios without any problems. I generally run no higher than 10-25 watts routinely. When I have had to run higher power, I would turn off other radio(s) ( out of an abundance of caution) if in the same band but I am also sure I have forgot to do that on many occasions without issue. The worst you would get is a big squawk from an adjacent radio. Some of the earlier solid state RF amplifier transistors were more sensitive to high power near fields but I believe todays radios are pretty robust.

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by Nic http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Nic Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:00:54 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-9 I picked up the MH509 for the vx6.. works pretty good, i can trip most of the repeater from my basement. Whats the minimum safe distance between mobile antennas? I currently have a hair over 6 feet between the 2 antennas for the 2 FT7800. if i put the ft8100 back into service for aprs then the antenna would have to go in the middle. Nic I picked up the MH509 for the vx6.. works pretty good, i can trip most of the repeater from my basement.

Whats the minimum safe distance between mobile antennas? I currently have a hair over 6 feet between the 2 antennas for the 2 FT7800. if i put the ft8100 back into service for aprs then the antenna would have to go in the middle.

Nic

]]> Comment on Framepacks by peterdevanney http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/framepacks/comment-page-1/#comment-7 peterdevanney Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:01:34 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=3#comment-7 Nic - that would be great if you could do that. Peter Nic – that would be great if you could do that.

Peter

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by peterdevanney http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-6 peterdevanney Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:00:36 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-6 There is generally a spring mechanism and slot in the antenna base. You pull the antenna up against the spring tension (~1/2 inch) and then bend the antenna over. The other way to do this is to get a fold over antenna mount. Some of them are even remote controlled so you can hit a button and the antenna drops parallel to the roof. Peter There is generally a spring mechanism and slot in the antenna base. You pull the antenna up against the spring tension (~1/2 inch) and then bend the antenna over.

The other way to do this is to get a fold over antenna mount. Some of them are even remote controlled so you can hit a button and the antenna drops parallel to the roof.

Peter

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by adam http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-5 adam Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:02:02 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-5 RadioWorld <a href="http://radioworld.ca/product_info.php?cPath=194&products_id=2386" rel="nofollow">lists</a> it for $85 CDN. RadioWorld lists it for $85 CDN.

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by adam http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-4 adam Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:53:48 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-4 Does the antenna fold-over just by hitting an obstacle or do you have to get out and do it yourself? A. Does the antenna fold-over just by hitting an obstacle or do you have to get out and do it yourself?

A.

]]> Comment on Comet Dual-Band Fold-Over Antenna by Peter http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/antennas/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Peter Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:29:42 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=10#comment-3 That sounds like a great antenna. The fold over ability really helps getting in and out of garages in the winter - much more convenient than jumping out and unscrewing the antenna. I have had experience with a couple of Maldols. One is about an inch long and very flexible. The other is a 50/144/440 MHz 3 inch long antenna (MH-511 ??). Both are definitely strong signal environment antennas but very convenient for vertical chest carriers or every day use. I usually have to keep a longer "duck" handy if I plan on any serious Tx where the repeater or other station is not "local". That sounds like a great antenna. The fold over ability really helps getting in and out of garages in the winter – much more convenient than jumping out and unscrewing the antenna.

I have had experience with a couple of Maldols. One is about an inch long and very flexible. The other is a 50/144/440 MHz 3 inch long antenna (MH-511 ??). Both are definitely strong signal environment antennas but very convenient for vertical chest carriers or every day use. I usually have to keep a longer “duck” handy if I plan on any serious Tx where the repeater or other station is not “local”.

]]> Comment on Framepacks by Nic http://sargear.sherman.ca/2009/01/framepacks/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Nic Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:25:09 +0000 http://sargear.sherman.ca/?p=3#comment-2 I know there are a few manufacturers providing external frames but there are rare. I have to dig around as i had found some and saved the links somewhere out of curiosity. From the SARBC website, you can sign up for SARCOMM its an email of comms related stuff not overly busy, a few years ago they had how to for a 5/8 whip but it wasnt on an external pack. all the messages from that thread are on my old computer. ill dig them up and send it here. Nic I know there are a few manufacturers providing external frames but there are rare. I have to dig around as i had found some and saved the links somewhere out of curiosity.

From the SARBC website, you can sign up for SARCOMM its an email of comms related stuff not overly busy, a few years ago they had how to for a 5/8 whip but it wasnt on an external pack. all the messages from that thread are on my old computer. ill dig them up and send it here.

Nic

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