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Mobile/Portable Connectors and Power Sources
I have been inquiring about a specialty cable for my
cell phone to my MFC fax unit. Have located an individual who may be able to and willing to put
specialty things like this together. He is making a cable or two that have a USB connector on
one end and an RJ-11, regular female phone jack, on the opposite end. This way, I can plug
another cable from my cell into the USB hub, then plug the specialty cable into the USB hub and
out into the phone jack so I can send and receive faxes while in the field. With my vehicle and
portable station working from the rear of my truck or an outside shelter. My truck will have
not only my multi-mode radio from HF to UHF, but two DC-AC power inverters with 1000/2000W and
then another with 1200/3200W and a small 400W unit too. Using these I can run aux lighting, my MFC
with printer, scanner, copier, fax ability, and more radios and a small TV/Radio for commercial
stations and radar viewing, etc. So, just about anything I may want to use from the rear of the
vehicle will have the ability and the power. When I get these two cables back and learn what
the price is, I will let you know.
The person making the cables is partial to disaster relief and other emergency communications
volunteers and will help them out with stuff like this. I'm looking forward to having my
vehicle fully wired and ready to go. I could even connect a small microwave and coffee pot too!
Heeeyyyyy!!!! Now that's good!
I should point out that you should shop for these items before spending a lot of money on
them. I have looked at some places that are charging up to nearly $1,000 for these units in
various power ratings, but there is no need to pay that much. If you can find a Harbor Frieght
Store near you, it is a good source for these. While I did find a 400W unit at Wal-Mart for
around $20, the other two units were at Harbor Frieght. The 1000W/2000W was about $79 on sale
and the 1200W/3200W unit was $89 on sale.
These three units mounted properly from the battery with #4 or #6 wire, and some
large buss fuses in a fuse block will work well and prevent any over-heating and possibly a fire. I am
mounting these in the cargo area of my Explorer so I can utilize any of the plugs and accessory
points at the cargo area and use my radios, amp (if I need it), my laptop, MFC for printing,
copying, scanning, and sending/receiving faxes using my cell phone. I could run just about any
kind of tool, equipment, coffee pot, etc. that I may wish. I also have some extra
gasoline on hand, to make sure that I don't run out. These could be some real savers on Field
Day for a mini-command post, etc.
Antenna Maintenance
Over the last few months I have learned a lot about electrical and antenna work. The item
that I would like to share with you now concerns antennas. In particular that crud called
corrosion or as it is technically identified; Aluminum Oxidation. The oxidation or corrosion
usually builds up on the surfaces of aluminum that are joined together with another section of
aluminum or covered in some manner that allows the moisture and other problems to create the
corrosion.
Once you get the affected sections apart, getting the corrosion off can be a chore, to say
the least. I found a way to make that job easier. Using a common household item; sodium
bicarbonate or baking soda. Make a paste with the powder and water. Generously apply the paste
evenly to the affected surfaces. Use a buffer wheel on a variable speed drill to polish the
corrosion off and bring the surface to a dull shine or relatively smooth surface.
Once this is done to all affected pieces/surfaces, coat them with Ox-Gard Antioxidant
Compound before reassembling. The compound can be purchased at Lowe's in a 4oz. tube for about
$6.00. For small jobs, there is a 1oz. tube available for about $3.00. The 4oz. tube should be
enough to complete just about any project and make the antenna surfaces corrosion free for at
least the next 10-years, or so.
I hope that these ideas are of help to anyone with portable power problems and makes
everyone's antenna maintenace easier. My email address is good in the State Roster, if anyone
wishes to contact me.
Gary - AAR6PQ
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