Save that date: The annual North America SOTA weekend is September 13 and 14, 2014. Last year we had 515 spots the first day, and this year we have two dozen new activators in NA. Lash down your S-meter needles.
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Elliott, K6EL
Chaser Clown
In reply to K6ILM:
Thats great. Will be QRV for sure.
In reply to K6ILM:
Good tip about lashing down the S-meter needles, Elliott. I’m hoping to give my KXPA100 amp and built-in ATU its first field outing on NASOTA Day. QRP is for the birds.
I know that you’ve been talking about lugging a kW amp up to a summit one of these days. Will this day be the one? 
73 (not 72),
Eric KU6J
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Free SOTA Spot Monitor Software + RBNGate FAQ:
http://www.ku6j.com
In reply to KU6J:
Wow! What kind of battery will you use for the KXPa100, Eric?
Guy/n7un
In reply to N7UN:
I have one of these 10 Ahr batteries:
And one of these 4.5 AHr batteries:
I need to do some testing with my DC watt meter inline, but I think that the 10 Ahr battery should have enough capacity for at least a few hours of operation at 50-100W. I can run OK on CW at 5W, the higher power would primarily be used for running on SSB and breaking through the ‘home-based chaser wall’ when calling other activators on either mode.
The open circuit voltage on these is well above 14V, and the 10 Ahr battery is rated for up to 25A discharge current. They also make a 20 Ahr version:
73,
Eric KU6J
===========================================
Free SOTA Spot Monitor Software + RBNGate FAQ:
http://www.ku6j.com
In reply to KU6J:
I’ve had one of the TEnergy 10Ah batteries for just over a year. I could not drive my FT-100D above about 20W on SSB with it as the voltage dropped too low and the audio went south. They are specified for 25A output but I could not get anywhere near that without voltage drop (the FT-100D are very sensitive to supply below 11.5V).
That same 10Ah battery also failed completely this week when putting a 4A load on it - the voltage went from 13V to 6.6V - internal cell failures. It has now been recycled.
Folks might consider batteries from these folks: 1a. 12V Series - LFP (LiFePO4) Batteries – Bioenno Power. They come with PowerPoles and are reasonably priced. Note that they have polyswitches limiting output current, so you can’t for example do 100W with their 6Ah battery.
Etienne-K7ATN
In reply to K7ATN:
Yikes! Thanks for the info Etienne, I guess I’ll have to run my tests sooner rather than later! I bought those batteries because they were recommended by a couple of people in this NASOTA thread:
However, no one said anything about them being suitable for high power usage. I just ASSumed they would be OK based on the manufacturer’s specs and reputation. You know what they say about assumptions…
Have you tested the Bioenno Power batteries with your FT-100D? Based on what I’m reading on their site, any of their batteries from 12 Ahr and up should work.
73,
Eric KU6J
===========================================
Free SOTA Spot Monitor Software + RBNGate FAQ:
http://www.ku6j.com
In reply to KU6J:
.
The timing could be right, Eric. I have the suitable gear: Heathkit Kilowatt Kompact with matching Heath DC supply, TS-430, big roller tuner, pair of Unigy 100 Ah communications batteries, but first I have to re-cap the DC supply some day. No lugging involved, as it will go on a drive-up peak, but still takes multiple people due to the 150 pound total battery weight. Ulp.
Elliott, K6EL
Just for Fun
In reply to K6ILM:
Way cool Elliott, you’ll be my hero if you pull that off! ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’ will have a whole new meaning…
P.S. - Get something like this and you may be able to do it solo:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200575638_200575638
73,
Eric KU6J
===========================================
Free SOTA Spot Monitor Software + RBNGate FAQ:
http://www.ku6j.com
In reply to KU6J:
I use one of these :-
http://www.tracerpower.com/tracer-lifepo4-battery-packs/lifepo4-12v-24ah-battery-pack.html
Runs my ft857 at 100w all day long no problems, also in 16aH & 8aH.
In reply to G1INK:
Wow! At 14kg that’s twice the weight of my standard expedition pack :-s
I do love QRP 
73 de Paul G4MD
In reply to G4MD:
Weighs 2.9Kg, or 2Kg for the 16aH. Don`t ask me how many tins of soup that is!
In reply to G1INK:
Thanks for the info, that looks like a great option, especially since it is field proven!
73,
Eric KU6J
===========================================
Free SOTA Spot Monitor Software + RBNGate FAQ:
http://www.ku6j.com
In reply to G1INK:
In reply to G4MD:
Weighs 2.9Kg, or 2Kg for the 16aH. Don`t ask me how many tins of soup
that is!
That’s better… the figure in your link (493.8oz.) obviously loses (or gains!) something in translation…
I bet it’s not the size of a small suitcase either!
73 de Paul G4MD
In reply to G1INK:
Weighs 2.9Kg, or 2Kg for the 16aH. Don`t ask me how many tins of soup
that is!
About six I think.
Very pleased with my 16aH Tracer pack. Weighs about 65% of what my 7aH SLAB did.
Tom M1EYP