Yaesu FT-817 Solar Powered Go-Pack - Part 1

[MontanaFLSTF]

Which one of the solar controllers did you use. I am very interested in building one of these for my 817. Hopefully I will hard you on the 40 meter band my call is KE7LJH

[mjlorton]

@MontanaFLSTF Hi, I used the "HQRP Solar Power Controller 10Amp 150W with Digital LED Display" from Amazon. It's a cheap PWM charger but it does the job. Thanks for watching.

[MontanaFLSTF]

This is a great idea well done.

[mjlorton]

@MontanaFLSTF Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching.

[jimawhitaker]

Nice work and good video presentation to... tnx

[mjlorton]

@jimawhitaker Thanks for you comment and watching.

[twmckim]

Thank you for the video! Congratulations on the backpack, it looks like you've thought of everything. Well presented, too. 73 from VE3TWM.

[mjlorton]

@twmckim Many thanks, appreciate your feedback.

[ikebukurosunshine60]

OH！　great！　from　JO7TYU

[mjlorton]

@ikebukurosunshine60 Thanks for your feedback.

[MrM2hb]

Nice work.

[mjlorton]

@MrM2hb Thanks for the feedback. 

[LordMEGAVOLT]

Cool)))

[THEBossSound]

WOW, well thought out and executed! You obviousy spent a good amount of time on this. Well done sir!

Cheers!

K9EZ

[mjlorton]

@THEBossSound Many thanks for your comment.

[mjlorton]

@DJChakzilla Thanks!

[mjlorton]

Thanks Peter.

[dieseldriver2003]

Very meticulately done, wow, it looks better than something you would by from a store (if someone did make it commercially).

Peter

KC2ZXL, USA

[n8zee]

Great job,will start on mine soon

[mjlorton]

@n8zee Thanks, please post when you are finished.

[cmj0968]

Nice work!

[ThePauperPrepper]

Excellent Job, Well done. Obviously allot of thought and preparation was put into the project

73s from the States,

Ron

KB3VEW

[mjlorton]

@ThePauperPrepper Many thanks for your comments Ron. 73s from Cape Town, South Africa.

[RIDDICKorigional]

That is top class you have done a fantastic job well done - now watch the manufacturers ripp off ur ideas and make all the money from them - How many volts is the battery ? tnx.

[mjlorton]

@RIDDICKorigional Many thanks, the battery is an SLA 12v.

Cheers, Martin.

[tsunamiortega]

Hey OM...

This is an awesome idea. I have been entertaining the idea of purchasing one of these little wonders and after watching this vid; i have made up my mind. I still dont understand how the solar panel and batt charger work, i still need to do some more reading on the subject but WOW.

Are you selling these kits? Let me know id def purchase one. Of course i am referring to the case, panel and all minus radio. Did you think of adding a Z100 tuner?

73 de Frank

[mjlorton]

@tsunamiortega Thanks for you comment. I don't sell them I just put this together as a project for myself. If you look through earlier comments you'll come across a parts list that may help you.

I did not consider using a tuner as I have a tuned end fed 40m dipole antenna.

Feel free to ask any more questions if you have any.

Cheers,

Martin.

[bugattifan1001]

great go kit, it certainly gives me many ideas about how to change my own. Just a few thoughts:

1. With all that space, you might consider adding a simple vertical such as an mp-1 in the case that you wanted to operate hf pedestrian mobile, or if there aren't any trees in the area.

2. In the case that this is a go kit, it would be helpful to have a 50w hf or vhf amplifier to aid in emergency communications.

3. If there is any space left over, i would add an ac dc power supply.

great kit!

w1and

[jjbravesfan]

Hello, this is a fantastic video, thank you so much for posting. What would your thoughts be on a rig such as this for the 857D? My main concerns are how it would fit into the case but more importantly, would I be able to use it (on low power mostly) and achieve the same self-sufficient power that you have done with the FT-817? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I am just starting to learn about HF rigs and am debating whether I should buy a FT-857 or FT817. Thanks!

[mjlorton]

@jjbravesfan Thanks for your comments. Someone else made a joke about life be too short for QRP and said I should use the 857D! It's not a bad idea, I'm sure it would fit in the case but it would be heavier. It would be handy to have some extra power but I would not use more than 15 / 20 watts. The battery and wiring would probably need to be uprated...but certainly possible.

Unless you are a serious QRP operator I would go with the FT-857 to give yourself more flexibility. Cheers, Martin.

[Dreamlgider]

@mjlorton the 857 does 20W max on internal power.

Unlike the 817 it can do "full power" with the internals ;)

I Very muck like your back pack.

73's de OY1R.

[bugattifan1001]

@Dreamlgider Actually its the ft-897 which will do 20w on internal power. Also the ft-817 will do its full 5w on internals, but it defaults at 2.5w. All you have to do is change it upon startup.

-W1AND

[Dreamlgider]

@bugattifan1001 true true :) have you used the pack out in the field yet ?

[Dreamlgider]

@jjbravesfan depending on what you want.

the rig's are almost the same, the ft-817 is very small, 5w internal battery. and the ft-857 a little bit bigger, AF dsp, 100w no internal battery. other wise they are identical.

the 897 is pretty much identical to the 857 but it can have an internal power supply and a battery or two batteries. and is a bit bigger also. all three nice little radios. :)

[WatcherofVideos11]

Now just replace the 817 with the 857D and you'll have a great setup! Life's too short for QRP :)

[mjlorton]

@WatcherofVideos11 LOL..the thought has crossed my mind! Thanks for the comment and chuckle.

[stanswx]

Do you have a list of all the parts/model #'s that you used to make this pack? I really like the way you have it all setup, great job!

[mjlorton]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm having a problem posting the parts list, I hope to have it up soon for you.

[mjlorton]

Parts: * Plano Protector Four Pistol Case * HQRP 12W Mono-crystalline Solar Panel * 7.2 AH 12V SLA Battery * Battery Arming Switch, use as socket for connecting PV and front 12 volt output with Anderson Power Pole * 15A Anderson Power Pole Connectors * "Watt's Up" RC Watt Meter & Power Analyzer * HQRP Solar Power Controller * CPU Fan * The two power switches on the front are from Radio Shack. Hope that helps.

[stanswx]

@mjlorton Thanks a bunch! I look forward to more videos with the 817 and your solar pack.

[stanswx]

Where did you get the commercial grade velcro?

[mjlorton]

Amazon product code: B0006HWYJM

The description is:

Velcro Industrial Strength Sticky-Back Hook and Loop Fasteners, 2 Inches x 15 Feet Roll, White

Thanks again for you interest.

[mjlorton]

Sorry...I tried including the price and product code so you could look it up on amazon...but YouTube does not seem to allow that....

[dinnerandashow]

What I have learned from my trials.

1 - The transceiver requires a well vented encasing or else the components will over heat.

2 - Large capacity external lithium ion battery has a higher charge density, lighter weight and much less danger of chemical injury.

3 - A kill switch easily accessible from outside the casing will prolong battery life, because there is a large drain even when only in listening mode.

[mjlorton]

You make good points. My response:

1 - The case is vented and has a (switched) low current CPU fan for air flow and removing any possible gassing.

2 - I would love to use a Li-Ion battery, but I've not seen a solar charger that supports them.

3 - There is a power / kill switch on the outside to prevent any drain when not in use.

Thanks for watching.

[dinnerandashow]

@mjlorton

1 - My mistake, the low resolution youtube video makes it look as if the 817 is immersed in foam. I found it most effective if the air current passed over the back panel.

2- Some external lithium ion batteries have their own built in charge regulators. All it needs is a DC current.

3 - Perhaps if a lever was placed extending towards the front, it can be connected to a hand generator. As a person walks he has a natural tendency to swing his arms.

[mjlorton]

Thanks John. Yes, Cape Town is home but the family and I are in Cleveland Ohio while my wife is on secondment for her complany. We're due back in Cape Town this December.

If you do build one do post it. 73, Martin KD8LON.

[iyaesu]

Fantastic setup, makes me want to build a similar one. Your accent is distinctly South African, but I see a snow shovel against the wall, and you said your temp was 2 C, so I guess you are in Canada or the Northern USA. What is your callsign ? Congrats on an excellent job with the backpack. 73, John - ZS5J and C91J