HRWB056-Field Radio Workbench

Get geared up for field operating and setting up your field workbench with John Jacobs W7DBO from the Field Radio Podcast.  In segment 1, John outlines his method for organizing and planning your field radio adventures. In segment 2 we list essential tools, parts, and test gear you need for light weight trail ops and full scale Field Day deployments.  We wrap up the show with an introduction to the Powerfilm Lightsaver MAX portable battery and solar panel. Our Website - http://www.hamradioworkbench.com/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hamworkbench Contact us for feedback and ideas - http://hamradioworkbench.com/contact Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamradioworkbench/ Save $100 on the Digilent Analog Discovery 2 Package by using code “HamRadioWorkbench2018” in your cart prior to checkout - https://store.digilentinc.com/ham-radio-workbench-bundle/ Segment 1 - Plan your Event Mission First Gear Second Identify what you want to accomplish and select gear to match What is your goal? Day trip vs overnighter? Hotel vs camping vs backpacking? Travel focus or radio focus? Field Expediency Doing work in advance selecting gear to maximize time on air versus time setting up / breaking down Field Tested Gear: Load out in living room, then load out in back yard, then load out in local park, then once gear is tested, attempt the big trip. Field test in your driveway or at the park first. Personal prep / Safety First: Personal Emergency Preparations, travel itinerary, weather observations, red flag warnings. 4 Goals: Get On The Air Stay On The Air Be An Effective Communicator Have Fun Gear Must Be: Modular Tested Portable Understood Field Radio Podcast Comms To Go Segment 2 - Field Workbench Light weight radio events – SOTA, travel, casual operating, emergency prep Have a common simplex frequency Review the wilderness protocol Simplex frequencies: 146.52   446.0 223.5 52.525 1294.5 Times to Monitor 07:00 - 07:05 10:00 - 10:05 13:00 - 13:05 16:00 - 16:05 EDC – Every Day Carry bag Leatherman / Gerber multi-tool Pocket knife Multi bit reversible screwdriver Flashlight Duct tape, electrical tape, gaffer’s tape wrapped on a credit card 5v USB external battery and cell phone cable Radio, antenna, battery pack, Lighter Survival tin Cash Micro first aid kit Pen / pencil / notepad Goals Minimalist set of gear – small, lightweight Easily carry in a backpack Fix common problems – fix connections, cut stuff / fix stuff Tools Multi tool – Full size Leatherman or Squirt ES4 Pocket knife – Swiss army, Victronix, Gerber, etc. Parts Wago wire nuts 2’ Solid wire Gaffers tape – small roll Fuses if your radio has fuses Other stuff Head lamp Mini volt meter TOP TAKE-AWAYS Practice setting up your gear and see what tools you use. Look at your gear and imagine what could break.  Figure out what you need to fix it. Focus on the weakest items.  Cables, connectors, batteries, wires, adapters. Big radio events – Field Day, Contesting, Public service events Goals If anything breaks you can fix it Balance between being well prepared and going light and easy. Mechanical tools Screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, socket set, wrenches, hammer, pry bar Allen wrenchs, hex drivers, wire strippers, tape measure, box cutter, Xacto knife and spare blades, scissors, TIP:  Get a good cheap tool kit at Home Depot – HDX tool set $20. TIP:  Get a bunch of cheap tools at Harbor Freight for the club. Electronic tools Power pole crimping tool Coax connector crimping tool with die for N, UHF and BNC connectors Lug crimp tool Butane soldering iron DC AA batt soldering iron Jet lighter Helping hands or small vice Head lamp and LED desk lamp Consummables Electrical tape – Scotch 33 Rescue tape Zip ties Shrink wrap Solder and solder wick Paracord Parts Spare coax connectors Coax adapters Crimp lugs Fuses Various resistors, caps, Power Pole connectors Wago wire nuts Audio adapters – ¼ to 3.5mm Wire Various stranded and solid Buss wire (solid) Batteries – AA and AAA Various screws, nuts washers Test equipment Antenna analyzer 12 VDC power monitor with power poles VOM – you are not  making precise measurements – cheap is OK.  You are mostly measuring voltages or resistance. TIP:  Harbor freight $5 VOM.  Get 2. Coax jumpers Aligator clip jumper wires General TiPs Look at your radios.  Assume any cable or connector can and will break.   Have spares for all breakable components Organize your stuff in modules Mechanical tools and parts Electronic radio tools and parts Electronic test equipment Cases DeWalt stackable drawers Heavy duty tool bags PowerFilm Solar Lightsaver MAX Portable battery and flexible solar panel Battery: 18000mAh 66 Wh LiPo batteries are 3.7v so the capacity is 4.8 Ah Solar panel guess is about 10 watts Input: USB-C (3A), 12V (2A) Output: Dual USB-A (2.5A), 12V (5A peak) Weight: 1.5 lbs Size: Rolled: 13.5” x 2.5” Unrolled: 34.5” x 13.5” Solar Charge: 6-8 hours full sun Wall Charge: 3-4 hours (12V) 6-7 hours (USB-C) 8-10 hours (USB) Battery state indicator is a row of LEDs. Built in flash light LED on the end Cables Included: USB-A to USB-C Cable 12V Input Charging Cable 12V Output Cable Runs the KX2 fine.  No charge controller noise detected on initial trial.