What’s the general consensus ?? how much operating time do you get out of a 2.3Ah SLAB … is it worth the extra weight to carry a 7Ah SLAB instead ?
I usually carry my 7Ah … but I’m thinking I can get away with the smaller battery and weight.
Andrew
K1YMI
In reply to KC2EUS:
There is no general consensus on this one. I have never used a SLAB with 817ND for my SOTA activations. Always the FNB-85 Ni-MH battery pack that comes with the radio. There might be other reasons for a SLAB, but IMO it is not needed for CW QRP SOTA.
73, Jaakko OH7BF/F5VGL
In reply to KC2EUS:
Andrew a 7AH SLAB is good for 2 hours operating my ft857 at full output (100w) - draw your own conclusions for the ft817 requirements.
73
In reply to KC2EUS:
FT-817 with a 2.3Ah slab and maybe the internal batteries will keep you going for more hours than you would probably want to remain on a summit. Having said that mine is 3.3Ah. If I use the FT857 then I take two 7Ah Slabs.
Regards Steve GW7AAV
My experience:
I threw my 7 Ah SLAB and replaced them with 5 Ah LiPo akupack. Weight is only 412 grams (0.9 lb), it lasts nearly the same.
I use them to their FT857, but the FT817 would be ideal.
73! Petr
In reply to OK1FFU:
SLABs are for wimps!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mm0fmf/3996949259/
I’ve ditched Lead in favour of Lithium but a 2.3Ah SLAB will power an 817 on CW/SSB for a long time. I’ve had 3 or 4 activations out of my old 2.8Ah SLAB before it was flat.
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to KC2EUS:
Hi Andrew!
I have an 817ND and two SLABs … one is 3.3 Ah and the other is 9 Ah, which is the same size and weight as a 7 Ah SLAB. On intensive CW summit activations running 5 watts, the 3.3 Ah battery - when fully charged - lasts for about 4 hours. The 9 Ah battery lasts for more than twice that time (I have never completely exhausted it before re-charging).
I would say the capacity of a 2.3 Ah SLAB would be plenty for a typical single-summit activation. However if you want to activate more than one summit in the day, you may be better off with the 7 Ah SLAB. That’s my 2c-worth … hi.
73,
Walt (G3NYY)
In reply to MM0FMF:
That picture reminds me of when I was a teenager and I’d not discovered sealed batteries… I used to climb the Ochil Hills carring an old motorcycle battery. It was a real bummer when you slipped and got the acid on your Jeans…lol
I have been thinking about building one of the LiPo batteries … but for now I think I’ll try my luck next weekend with the 2.3Ah and save the weight.
Andrew
K1YMI – GM1YMI
Hello Dear SOTA Friends.
I’m using a external battery: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tZT-B8c5g3lJkrOJ5rT3Fw?feat=directlink
External battery: I worked 10 SOTA expedition without recharging it.
Fnb85 battery: Only one SOTA but weight is a little bit light.
73 QRO
Roger
In reply to KC2EUS:
Hi Andrew,
I have used several times a 12 V 3.4 Amps Hr SLAB. This SLAB worked several hours on the FT817 ND ( 5 W power output) without problems.
Sri … with a 2.3 Amps Hr SLAB I have no experience.
Take a look on the next video.
73
Luc ON6DSL
i used an 7amps slab, but it was too heavy. so i decided to purchase a 4.5amps slab and i tested it on my last sota-expedition (2 sota, 80 qso’s).
it worked great with my ic-703 and 10watts of output power. the best thing … it’s almost 1 kg lighter than the other slab.
vy73 de martin
http://www.oe5reo.at
I am just importing a battery, well 1000 of them for a contract I have won, its a Li-Pro 12000 mAh, yes 12000mAh @ 6,9,12,14,16,19 volts and it has built in solar panels for charging in 6-12 hours and it is 6" x 4" x 1" and weights 750grams. I never seen such a small battery pack with so much power.
I can see that being quite handy on the mountains.
In reply to M0KPO:
How big and how heavy are the solar panels Steve?
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to MM0FMF:
Its all one unit, one pannel is fixed the other slides out from the main battery housing, closed down as I said its about 6x4x1", open its about 6x8x1. Weight is less than 0.8kg for the whole unit, batt, panel etc.
It is realy quite clever, I have two samples being made for testing and then if okay I will bring over a 1000 units three customers have placed an order subject to tests. It can power two devices at two diferent voltages at the same time and also power a USB device at the same time. All cables etc are included. It even has a built in 5 x LED torch.
In reply to M0KPO:
that sounds like a good battery for sota. some photos (if already available) of that unit would be interesting.
please keep us updated …
In reply to M0KPO:
This almost sounds to good to be true and if true … THE solution for SOTA … please keep us informed. Do you realy think 1000 pcs is enough 
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that the testresults will be positive.
73’s de PD2PC Patrick
In reply to M0KPO:
Thanks Steve. It sounds intriguing. The solar panel sounds very efficient for the size. I think you’ll have a very attentive audience for any info you post about the units. 
Andy
MM0FMF
During my last 2 SOTA tour I did 61 QSO with only the FNB85 pack with 500 mWatts. Then it works well.
73 QRO
Roger
In reply to F5LKW:
Hello Dear SOTA Friends.
I’m using a external battery:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tZT-B8c5g3lJkrOJ5rT3Fw?feat=directlink
External battery: I worked 10 SOTA expedition without recharging it.
Fnb85 battery: Only one SOTA but weight is a little bit light.73 QRO
Roger
In reply to MM6ECO:
Hello,
I just received my 12000mAH battery with solar panel, still do not test it at any summit and do not test how long will power my FT-817 but what I saw was not good for my small QRP radios KX1 - PFR3 or HB-1 this radios takes just a few mA at RX and the electronic of the battery do not detect the radios so, after 1 or 2 minutes the battery disconnect automatically, with the FT-817 conected at 12V its ok and working good.
Its good becouse its posible to conet a netbook or PDA at same time that radio, has diferents outputs and can be charged with included power supply too, has all cables included.
I will test this weekend and will write a report.
73,
Esteve - EB3EPR