17 iulie 2008

FT-857D Backpack Kit

I added some detailed pictures of the setup:

Spacers detail:



Antenna solution:






Battery solution:





I am not intend to make any comments on this. i let the images spoke for me as one photo is worth for 1000 words.

The goal was to have a entirely portable (backpack) radio for both VHF and HF (20m band) complete with a resonable antenna in order to use it on vacation or in ditress situations.

The goal was achieved with my reserve radio (FT 8857D), a SLA 12V/7Amps battery and a home made antenna (from a old broken CB mobile antenna).

Questions are welcome! Altough, I will accept no comments on photo quality!!! HI During the main phase, the photos was taken with a mobile phone camera :-( as I left my Nikon DSLR to my workplace...)

Regards and Enjoy!
73! de yo3hjv

Rob, 2J0RZD has a nice similar setup! Keep it up Rob, nice job!



Below is the explanation for Bill, K7WCB:
I curently use a 7Ah SLA Battery for backpack operation. This allowed me to operate a entirely day with 15W on a moderate basis on SSB. For "rough" operation I also have a 12Ah SLA on the same width (it fits in the assembly). Because the battery is fixed with two strong tyre-up's, I can easily change them.
I never deplete the 12Ah battery, even the power was set on 25W.
The arrangement is, mainly, a support frame, as you can see in the pictures.
As I do not intend to use the radio in my car (I have a FT8900 for the mobile) I also used the supplied car support frame.
The backpack frame is in "U" shape and is made from alumminium.
In the lowest part of the U, I fixed the supplied car support frame. In this section, the SLA is placed.
The highest part of U is for the radio itself and for the antenna connector. The radio is fixed with 4 screws in the original places.
Between the radio and the U frame I place a spacer made from hard plastic (PVC-the white spacer in the pictures). You must pay carefull attention to the lenght of the screws!!! Max 4mm IN THE RADIO'S BODY, or you will damage the internal PCB!!!
The antenna UHF connector is placed on a small L shape alumminium and can be placed on the upper part of frame (for backpack) or in the lower part (for orizontally placed radio on table operation). In my pictures, that L shape is on the upper part of the frame and the holes are vizible in the lower part. I made more holes in order to allow me to change the angle easily.

If there are other questions related, i am happy to answer. Also, please excuse my bad english!

















9 comentarii:

Anonim spunea...

I am interested in your setup but your pictures are not posting to the blog.

Bill k7wcb

Adrian (YO3HJV) spunea...

Bill, just tell me what are you interested in this setup and I will answer.

Anonim spunea...

I was wondering what size pack you used, and how you had it arraigned. I will be purchasing the same radio and would like to take it with me camping and hiking for portable work. Also, I am curious how long the battery lasts you when you operate portable. I plan on operating qrp at 5 watts.

Bill k7wcb

Adrian (YO3HJV) spunea...

Dear Bill,
I curently use a 7Ah SLA Battery for backpack operation. This allowed me to operate a entirely day with 15W on a moderate basis on SSB. For "rough" operation I also have a 12Ah SLA on the same width (it fits in the assembly). Because the battery is fixed with two strong tyre-up's, I can easily change them.
I never deplete the 12Ah battery, even the power was set on 25W.
The arrangement is, mainly, a support frame, as you can see in the pictures.
As I do not intend to use the radio in my car (I have a FT8900 for the mobile) I also used the supplied car support frame.
The backpack frame is in "U" shape and is made from alumminium.
In the lowest part of the U, I fixed the supplied car support frame. In this section, the SLA is placed.
The highest part of U is for the radio itself and for the antenna connector. The radio is fixed with 4 screws in the original places.
Between the radio and the U frame I place a spacer made from hard plastic (PVC-the white spacer in the pictures). You must pay carefull attention to the lenght of the screws!!! Max 4mm IN THE RADIO'S BODY, or you will damage the internal PCB!!!
The antenna UHF connector is placed on a small L shape alumminium and can be placed on the upper part of frame (for backpack) or in the lower part (for orizontally placed radio on table operation). In my pictures, that L shape is on the upper part of the frame and the holes are vizible in the lower part. I made more holes in order to allow me to change the angle easily.
If there are other questions related, i am happy to answer. Also, please excuse my bad english!

I have some other Hi-Res Pictures but i need a email adress to send them.

Is this usefull to you?

73!&GL
yo3hjv
Adrian

Anonim spunea...

Hello, Excellent article but I am unable to download your photos,Is there any other way of getting them?
Thank you
David M0VDC
England

Anonim spunea...

Hi
Excellent setup but cannot access your photos. Looking at doing a similar setup myself, have all the components ready to run with newly acquired buddipole. Please can you email the pics to me (via QRZ)
73 de RobL 2J0RZD

Anonim spunea...

Whats the receive current of FT-857D on moderate audio with headfones ? I have an FT-817ND, but I think 5W is very low for HF manpack mobile. So I want to buy the 857 as I hear that the receive current is low (less than 500 mA) and 7AH battery will last long time.

rahul
VU2YK

Anonim spunea...

graet idea!!Unfortunately only a few pictures are readable.
Could you perhaps send me the other pictures?
Tony ON4TVT
on4tvt@uba.be

Anonim spunea...

Hi again Adrian
Thanks for the photos, the backpack set up for the 857 has worked really well, first use last weekend and looking forward to the summer /P DX'ing season. I'll email you some pics of mine if your interested as I have introduced a few changes of my own.
73 de RobL 2J0RZD

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