The time stamp shows that this is 5 years old - still very relevant to me! Your ham shack has certainly been “beefed up” with more radios and stuff. Thanks to HAMRADIOPREP I just passed my tech test (KQ41XD) and hope to make “first contact” with ISS tonight (Baofend UV-5R), understanding that my little signal may be trampled on - but - high hopes. Working on General exam. 73!
Good luck on the exam. I just passed my General on 8/12. shack is a work in progress, but powerpoles do neaten up the wire tangle that could happen. That and cable looms.
Great video. Passed my tech in June. Hope to pass General in August. Just now figuring out how to power my shack and this video is spot on in helping me understand how to use the Powerwerx stuff. Love the battery analyzer. Definitely need one of those. Thanks for helping clarify a beginners confusion over powering your HAM stuff and any Raspberry Pi Builds.
That distribution block is EXACTLY what I need as I've got the older Rig Runner with screw-on terminals that I want to convert to Power Poles. Thanks for the tip!
This one is great. I just picked up a new power pole strip from Ham Radio Workbench that has fuses and led's that I'll be posting on the channel in the next few days. It's a kit you put together and only costs $25. I'm gonna post the build. It looks pretty easy.
Great info. On your other YT vid ("DIY LiFePO4 Ham Radio Battery Backup System"), you mention @10:40 you don't really need a PWRgate, unless you want to add solar. If I needed to, can I add a Powerwerx MPPT-150-14.6, DC-to-DC Solar Charger Controller AND the panels (GoalZero) to the PD-8 in this video? Would I need anything else in the path?
Mike, Lifelong Michigan resident I do not much care for the cold weather myself. This is the first video of your's that I have watched, I am now subscribed. TThanks Jim kc8bdr Waterford, Mi.
Have you figured out how to use the powerpole retention for the antenna yet? My suggestion would be to have a blank set (no wires) so you can anchor the antenna wire with the clip. Easy Peasy.
Ahh, look what I found! Your video on the Powerwerx volt/wattmeter. Well done. Nice job on the video testing the Bioenno 20A battery. I did a lot of research and agree that it is a great battery. 73
Interesting products. I see you have a MacBook on the bench, I wish there were a lot more Mac and Apple based programs for Hams. I hate lugging around 2 laptops. Michigan? From the Sunshine state? What happened? Don’t get me wrong in the summer it’s great to go camping in the upper peninsula and work some stations from remote locations. The West Mountain stuff is great if one is building a Mobile Command Post in an RV or dedicated Comms trailer but for portable go cases we don’t need the extra weight of that metal case. I do wish that Powerwerx multi outlet had an additional input connector with the 45 amp contacts, it would free up an outlet and give one the full capacity of the adapter. You might want to also check out the power pole accessories from Hardened Power Systems, not sure of the price ranges of their stuff, haven’t been to their web site in about a year.
I've never needed to lug around 2 laptops. I've got everything I need on my Mac. My main logging software is Aether, for portable I use HAMRS, and I've got WSJT-X for digital. Works great.
Outstanding content. You have been at this for awhile. Solar charger and internet face with battery. Believe you not want to over charge and not have no voltage form the battery, you would have to replace the battery. What wattage would you use. 60 - 70- 100?????
It's been a few years now yes. I'm not 100% sure what you mean hear, but yes, you want to make sure you're charging your batteries correctly. With the AGM battery in this video I would only use about 5 watts. They are really terrible batteries and I do not use them anymore. I only use LiFePO4 batteries. I've done a few videos on Bioenno Batteries and highly recommend those. You can do 100 watts no problem with them. I have another battery coming from GigParts tomorrow that I will also be reviewing.
12 volt * 45Amps = 540Watts... I'm not sure why anyone would need anything more and if so, more use more voltage... What voltage can the those small Anderson plugs by the way do?
Thanks for sharing. I have an FT- 891. You will be surprised how much power it draws. I have a lead cell also and if I get to drawing much more 10-15 watts it will blow the 7.5 amp inline power fuse going to the radio because of the voltage drop in the battery raising the amps drawn by the radio. OH8STN has a good video on the current draw of the 891 on his channel.
@@ripvanwinkleamateurradioso3075 I can run the ft-891 at 90 to 100 watt with a bioenno 20 amp battery with no problem can't do that on my little lead acid battery
You're not the world's worst solderer until you beat me! Gauntlet thrown down! Gonna get that same power block for my go box. Yeah, transmitting on a full power HF rig, even with the power turned down, will eat your amp-hours very quickly. I've got that Heil adapter and KTT (kick to talk) pedal, and I use an SM48-LC rather than a more expensive mic since I figure on an HF radio nobody will be able to tell it's a low-end Shure. All my XLR mics are Shure because the just work and they'll outlive me.
The identical meter is sold under many names and can be had for 1/4 the price. No doubt made in China with different labels placed on them. Identical in every respect. Don't overpay for a name.
Yes it is. And while I lucked out with my first Powerwerx meter being quite accurate, subsequent purchases from them and others have shown me just how grossly inaccurate the vast majority of them are.
Mike - Question if you don't mind.... I am looking for a PowerPole solution for my home setup. I have a power supply with the ring connection terminals on the back. I was looking on Powerwerx website and I see that they have a cable with the ring connection on one end on powerpole on the other with a fuse inline (SKU: RGH-10). I was thinking about getting that to hook to the back on my power supply, then I would be able to hook my radio right to it with Powerwor SKU: HF4-PP... Or get a powerwerx dist. block and connect multiple things like you show here in this video... I say ALL that to ask this, does that sound like a good solution? I'm trying to get it right the first time. Thanks for all you do and your time! 73's - N1UI
That cable would be a good start. The problem with power poles is once you start, you can’t stop. You’ll find you will be looking for things to put power poles on. Cutting off brand new factory connectors just to put power poles on. If it’s 12v DC in my house, it’s got a power pole on it. Get a good set of crimpers w/ the power pole dies. Should run you about $50 ish but some run in the hundreds. But yes I would run out from the supply, into a distribution block if you have or plan to have multiple radios or 12v stuff in your shack. You could also look into one of those MFJ power pole distribution blocks that I did a video on. They are all individually fused and I really like that.
@@hamradiotube Thanks for the reply! Yes, I seen your video on the MFJ dist. blocks as well! My main question is... Do I NEED a fuse inline from my power supply to the radio such as the cable I made mention of from PowerWerx? Ha, yes! I'm already seeing things around here that are about to get a PowerPole connection! LOL Thanks again for your time!
You def want a fuse somewhere. If all your radios have fuses on their wires that should be sufficient. More fuses certainly wouldn’t hurt so having one from the power supply is a good idea. Plus it could protect your supply if you are drawing too much current from a bunch of different sources.
@@w8haallthingshamradio149 Well, your radios cable should have a fuse in it already so no, you don't need another fuse from the power supply. You 100% need a fuse before your radio gets power however. I want to be very clear on that. If I were setting up your shack, I would make, not buy, a wire going from your power supply to a distribution block (that could also be fused). Everything I plug into that distribution block would have a fused cable, thus negating the need to have a fuse on the actual power supply cable. However, having a fuse on the power supply cable would never be a bad idea.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF it’s my first, too! They’re pretty affordable and will get the job done, so I imagine they’re a lot of people’s first hf rig. I think I paid $400 at my first local ham fest for it.
How much power is the meter using itself in order to operate? There must be a “pre-load” before it gets to the board. Would be curious if your readout on the meter takes that into account
Thanks for the interesting video, I subscribed. My Powerwerx PD-4 distribution block has just arrived. It's not immediately clear to me how you use the block. The terminals of something could be inserted "side by side" on the block's same side or using the terminals on "opposite sides" of the block. It's obvious from your video which is the correct configuration!
It's pretty simple. Any one of the Power Poles can be used as your "power in" from your source. All the other ones will then be "power outs". The power poles are oriented in such a way that only the red can connect to the red and the black to the black.
Don't know the voltage of my Macbook but I have figured out the least efficient way to charge it! 12V battery to 120V harbor freight inverter (I'm sure there's no loss there hihi) to the standard Mac power cable. If you want to suck a battery dry, this is the way to do it really quick!!
You paid $50 for that power meter?!?!?! WOW!! They're $10 on eBay (or just about anywhere else). The only difference is they don't have the Powerwerx name on 'em.
Between my Elmer & I we have 5 of them. I tested them against my Fluke. They were off by less than 2%. I'm a ham not an engineer. That's better than close enough for me.
Yea, I will get an Anderson plug box and try it out and see if I like them more then the annoying of the nonsense of the CM4 plugs. Hate them. I have one CM4 plug by some of the different cables I have bought that is made to open Easy with your fingers, but I have no clue as to where to get them. But overall, those I hate those CM4 plugs, just utter nonsense, you can't even detach the plug from the cable without ruining them. And that is needed you need to get a cable through a small hole. Then you need to ruing a plug and make a new one. My Solar panels came with plugs you could not even detach without a tool, like... you gotta be kidding me. No tool with the pricey solar panels either.
Where are you finding Videos by Mike. I haven't been to find VBM for more than 2 months. Its like he fell off youtube. If you are really watching Mike's videos please tell me where he has moved because I like his videos even if he does use a lot of high priced stuff he still has good reviews. Thanks in advance Mike.
Terry Morris he’s gone man. I feel the exact same as you. Just fell off the face of the Earth. This video of mine that you are responding to is about 3 or 4 months old. We all miss him and I’ve asked around and we have no idea where his channel went.
The time stamp shows that this is 5 years old - still very relevant to me! Your ham shack has certainly been “beefed up” with more radios and stuff. Thanks to HAMRADIOPREP I just passed my tech test (KQ41XD) and hope to make “first contact” with ISS tonight (Baofend UV-5R), understanding that my little signal may be trampled on - but - high hopes. Working on General exam. 73!
Good luck on the exam. I just passed my General on 8/12. shack is a work in progress, but powerpoles do neaten up the wire tangle that could happen. That and cable looms.
Great video. Passed my tech in June. Hope to pass General in August. Just now figuring out how to power my shack and this video is spot on in helping me understand how to use the Powerwerx stuff. Love the battery analyzer. Definitely need one of those. Thanks for helping clarify a beginners confusion over powering your HAM stuff and any Raspberry Pi Builds.
Watching some of your older content. The good 'ol days of K8MRD Radio Stuff! Still great and still helpful no matter when. Cheers and 73!
Just got the same block. Ain't waiting for USPS to arrive so much fun.
That distribution block is EXACTLY what I need as I've got the older Rig Runner with screw-on terminals that I want to convert to Power Poles. Thanks for the tip!
This one is great. I just picked up a new power pole strip from Ham Radio Workbench that has fuses and led's that I'll be posting on the channel in the next few days. It's a kit you put together and only costs $25. I'm gonna post the build. It looks pretty easy.
Great info. On your other YT vid ("DIY LiFePO4 Ham Radio Battery Backup System"), you mention @10:40 you don't really need a PWRgate, unless you want to add solar. If I needed to, can I add a Powerwerx MPPT-150-14.6, DC-to-DC Solar Charger Controller AND the panels (GoalZero) to the PD-8 in this video? Would I need anything else in the path?
Me either ! Really got me going !Thank you !
Mike,
Lifelong Michigan resident I do not much care for the cold weather myself.
This is the first video of your's that I have watched, I am now subscribed.
TThanks
Jim kc8bdr
Waterford, Mi.
Have you figured out how to use the powerpole retention for the antenna yet? My suggestion would be to have a blank set (no wires) so you can anchor the antenna wire with the clip. Easy Peasy.
Did you even make that antenna video you mentioned concerning using power pole connectors?
Ahh, look what I found! Your video on the Powerwerx volt/wattmeter. Well done. Nice job on the video testing the Bioenno 20A battery. I did a lot of research and agree that it is a great battery. 73
One of my first. I really like that Powerwerx meter, and you can't go wrong with Bioenno.
Interesting products. I see you have a MacBook on the bench, I wish there were a lot more Mac and Apple based programs for Hams. I hate lugging around 2 laptops. Michigan? From the Sunshine state? What happened? Don’t get me wrong in the summer it’s great to go camping in the upper peninsula and work some stations from remote locations.
The West Mountain stuff is great if one is building a Mobile Command Post in an RV or dedicated Comms trailer but for portable go cases we don’t need the extra weight of that metal case. I do wish that Powerwerx multi outlet had an additional input connector with the 45 amp contacts, it would free up an outlet and give one the full capacity of the adapter. You might want to also check out the power pole accessories from Hardened Power Systems, not sure of the price ranges of their stuff, haven’t been to their web site in about a year.
I've never needed to lug around 2 laptops. I've got everything I need on my Mac. My main logging software is Aether, for portable I use HAMRS, and I've got WSJT-X for digital. Works great.
Thanks - My wife keeps asking me why I need so many wires when I play with my radios :)
Well you need all the wires for all the radio parts. They just don't understand haha
God I wanna do one of these
Another Great video! I used the same case for a VHF Go Box. Holds everything uber secure! I have a video on it on my channel. Keep up the great work!
Outstanding content. You have been at this for awhile. Solar charger and internet face with battery. Believe you not want to over charge and not have no voltage form the battery, you would have to replace the battery. What wattage would you use. 60 - 70- 100?????
It's been a few years now yes. I'm not 100% sure what you mean hear, but yes, you want to make sure you're charging your batteries correctly. With the AGM battery in this video I would only use about 5 watts. They are really terrible batteries and I do not use them anymore. I only use LiFePO4 batteries. I've done a few videos on Bioenno Batteries and highly recommend those. You can do 100 watts no problem with them. I have another battery coming from GigParts tomorrow that I will also be reviewing.
LMAO!!! "not till something starts smoking"
wish I could hear it all the time.
How about a description of the knife you used to open the package
12 volt * 45Amps = 540Watts... I'm not sure why anyone would need anything more and if so, more use more voltage... What voltage can the those small Anderson plugs by the way do?
Thanks for sharing. I have an FT- 891. You will be surprised how much power it draws. I have a lead cell also and if I get to drawing much more 10-15 watts it will blow the 7.5 amp inline power fuse going to the radio because of the voltage drop in the battery raising the amps drawn by the radio. OH8STN has a good video on the current draw of the 891 on his channel.
Don't know what the battery has to do with it? Any rig doing 100w will draw over 20 amps.
@@ripvanwinkleamateurradioso3075 I can run the ft-891 at 90 to 100 watt with a bioenno 20 amp battery with no problem can't do that on my little lead acid battery
Ah we guitarist are a crazy bunch
indeed
Built mine with the intention of using it for field day.
You're not the world's worst solderer until you beat me! Gauntlet thrown down! Gonna get that same power block for my go box. Yeah, transmitting on a full power HF rig, even with the power turned down, will eat your amp-hours very quickly.
I've got that Heil adapter and KTT (kick to talk) pedal, and I use an SM48-LC rather than a more expensive mic since I figure on an HF radio nobody will be able to tell it's a low-end Shure. All my XLR mics are Shure because the just work and they'll outlive me.
Unfortunately I've gotten better at soldering over the years. Still can't solder the shield of a coax so I crimp.
The identical meter is sold under many names and can be had for 1/4 the price. No doubt made in China with different labels placed on them. Identical in every respect. Don't overpay for a name.
Yes it is. And while I lucked out with my first Powerwerx meter being quite accurate, subsequent purchases from them and others have shown me just how grossly inaccurate the vast majority of them are.
Mike - Question if you don't mind.... I am looking for a PowerPole solution for my home setup. I have a power supply with the ring connection terminals on the back. I was looking on Powerwerx website and I see that they have a cable with the ring connection on one end on powerpole on the other with a fuse inline (SKU: RGH-10). I was thinking about getting that to hook to the back on my power supply, then I would be able to hook my radio right to it with Powerwor SKU: HF4-PP... Or get a powerwerx dist. block and connect multiple things like you show here in this video... I say ALL that to ask this, does that sound like a good solution? I'm trying to get it right the first time. Thanks for all you do and your time! 73's - N1UI
That cable would be a good start. The problem with power poles is once you start, you can’t stop. You’ll find you will be looking for things to put power poles on. Cutting off brand new factory connectors just to put power poles on. If it’s 12v DC in my house, it’s got a power pole on it. Get a good set of crimpers w/ the power pole dies. Should run you about $50 ish but some run in the hundreds. But yes I would run out from the supply, into a distribution block if you have or plan to have multiple radios or 12v stuff in your shack. You could also look into one of those MFJ power pole distribution blocks that I did a video on. They are all individually fused and I really like that.
@@hamradiotube Thanks for the reply! Yes, I seen your video on the MFJ dist. blocks as well! My main question is... Do I NEED a fuse inline from my power supply to the radio such as the cable I made mention of from PowerWerx? Ha, yes! I'm already seeing things around here that are about to get a PowerPole connection! LOL Thanks again for your time!
You def want a fuse somewhere. If all your radios have fuses on their wires that should be sufficient. More fuses certainly wouldn’t hurt so having one from the power supply is a good idea. Plus it could protect your supply if you are drawing too much current from a bunch of different sources.
@@w8haallthingshamradio149 Well, your radios cable should have a fuse in it already so no, you don't need another fuse from the power supply. You 100% need a fuse before your radio gets power however. I want to be very clear on that. If I were setting up your shack, I would make, not buy, a wire going from your power supply to a distribution block (that could also be fused). Everything I plug into that distribution block would have a fused cable, thus negating the need to have a fuse on the actual power supply cable. However, having a fuse on the power supply cable would never be a bad idea.
Cool video. Thanks! 73
I have the FT450. I brought it for a 5 day hunting trip last fall.
It's a great radio. I never use it anymore but I can't seem to sell it as it was my first hf radio.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF it’s my first, too! They’re pretty affordable and will get the job done, so I imagine they’re a lot of people’s first hf rig. I think I paid $400 at my first local ham fest for it.
How much power is the meter using itself in order to operate? There must be a “pre-load” before it gets to the board. Would be curious if your readout on the meter takes that into account
So little that it its not enough to be concerned with. If you hook another meter in line with it it doesn't even register as a load.
plastic fantastic. :P
Thanks for the interesting video, I subscribed.
My Powerwerx PD-4 distribution block has just arrived. It's not immediately clear to me how you use the block. The terminals of something could be inserted "side by side" on the block's same side or using the terminals on "opposite sides" of the block. It's obvious from your video which is the correct configuration!
It's pretty simple. Any one of the Power Poles can be used as your "power in" from your source. All the other ones will then be "power outs". The power poles are oriented in such a way that only the red can connect to the red and the black to the black.
I dig this.
#powerpoletheworld
If your laptop runs at 19v you could get a 12v to 19v converter to power your laptop too
Don't know the voltage of my Macbook but I have figured out the least efficient way to charge it! 12V battery to 120V harbor freight inverter (I'm sure there's no loss there hihi) to the standard Mac power cable. If you want to suck a battery dry, this is the way to do it really quick!!
P.S. the power pole do separate just slide them apart
What VHF/UHF radio is that?
You paid $50 for that power meter?!?!?! WOW!! They're $10 on eBay (or just about anywhere else). The only difference is they don't have the Powerwerx name on 'em.
Chad Harzke yes I did. And I have bought cheap ones and they aren’t accurate. You get what you pay for.
Between my Elmer & I we have 5 of them. I tested them against my Fluke. They were off by less than 2%. I'm a ham not an engineer. That's better than close enough for me.
@@batmansgta You are correct, my cheap one isn't that off but I still like an accurate reading. Plenty fine though. Live and learn.
Hurricane wind power DC inline 150 amp High precision watt meter & power analyzer $16.49 & FREE shipping! and yes it is as good as all the others.
Yea, I will get an Anderson plug box and try it out and see if I like them more then the annoying of the nonsense of the CM4 plugs. Hate them.
I have one CM4 plug by some of the different cables I have bought that is made to open Easy with your fingers, but I have no clue as to where to get them. But overall, those I hate those CM4 plugs, just utter nonsense, you can't even detach the plug from the cable without ruining them. And that is needed you need to get a cable through a small hole. Then you need to ruing a plug and make a new one.
My Solar panels came with plugs you could not even detach without a tool, like... you gotta be kidding me. No tool with the pricey solar panels either.
Where are you finding Videos by Mike. I haven't been to find VBM for more than 2 months. Its like he fell off youtube. If you are really watching Mike's videos please tell me where he has moved because I like his videos even if he does use a lot of high priced stuff he still has good reviews. Thanks in advance Mike.
Terry Morris he’s gone man. I feel the exact same as you. Just fell off the face of the Earth. This video of mine that you are responding to is about 3 or 4 months old. We all miss him and I’ve asked around and we have no idea where his channel went.
Thanks for your reply. I don't remember his call otherwise I would look him up on QRZ and try to contact through other means.
He said load huh huh huh huh huh lmao 🤣 🤣
you need a LifePO4 battery.......
marc hutchins I have one now.
Alan
Steve
w hen you get a ft 991 you gont need a 2 mtr 70 cm rig or a rig blaster whats up ? kg6mn
What no ft 991a Whats up
money money money kg6mn