Originally Posted by
staehpj1
Wow! You really carry a 200W transmitter on tour? That is pretty extreme.
Nope, I carry a
100W transceiver, which when transmitting at full power requires 200W (13.8V 22A to be precise). Being a SSB-capable radio means it needs a linear power amplifier which is ~50% efficient at best. If it were an FM-only rig, it'd have a class-C PA in it, which uses less power, but FM isn't as good for weak signals.
Originally Posted by
staehpj1
I go to the other extreme. I carry a smart phone and usually leave it turned off except for a few minutes a day. I could probably go a week on the half ounce battery in the phone with careful use. Also, it wouldn't be the end of the world to run out of battery. I do carry a little 2 AA blinky tail light and a 0.2 oz eGear Pico flashlight, but those typically last me for months on tour with only the batteries in them.
My guess is that most folks are somewhere in between us and miles from either of us in their battery usage.
True, I'm thinking of places where the phone doesn't work. Plus, it's fun to make long-distance contacts on the radio from a bicycle, other amateur radio operators are rather surprised when they hear you're "bicycle mobile". Usually prompts an interesting discussion rather than a bland chat about the weather.
But you're right, I'd be rashioning the usage, so it'd be off most of the time. The netbook would only see occasional use to download photos off SD cards or check the odd email. The primary usage for the battery system would be for recharging my headlight and for the tail light.