My second working amateur radio station - I put this one in my truck. It's powered by a 12V battery, charged by a solar panel via a charge controller. This system allows me to communicate with other locals independent of any utility company. (No electric, no cell phone, no internet service)

submitted by In-the-clouds from (john1126.com)

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[–]chadwickofwv 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Looks like a cool setup. What's the range on that? Is it CB only?

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

So far I have communicated with people on this radio as far as 40 miles away, but that is with the help of a repeater. Without a repeater, I have also communicated with locals, which is my main interest with radio. Theoretically, this setup could talk with people all over the world if a portion of the communication travels through the internet, which some people do.

It is an amateur radio, so with an FCC license I can legally communicate on more frequencies than what the Citizen's Band offers. But CB radio is also useful for communications. The Family Radio Service is an alternative for local and affordable communication without a license. I believe darkness is coming soon, which will include a blackout in communications. When people begin to rise up against their government, it is common for the internet and phone service to be cut. (Example: India suspended mobile internet service when farmers protested.) Even radio may not survive, if an EMP fries all the electronics.

[–]1Icemonkey 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (9 children)

Why can’t it charge off of the trucks alternator?

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (8 children)

This truck has no alternator. Your question is reasonable, though, and if your vehicle has an alternator that charges its own 12V battery, you can certainly use that to power an amateur radio, but then the radio would not be free from all the corporations, since it would be dependent on the petroleum industry for its source of power. The alternator is powered by gasoline (or diesel) and produces electricity from that, but the electricity is not free and runs out when the fuel tank becomes empty. With the power of this radio coming from a solar panel, which is paid for and has no more future costs, all the power it can produce is now free, from the sun, made by God and given freely to all.

[–]1Icemonkey 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

Well, I see your point about independent free energy, however, sola panels don’t last forever. What truck is this that doesn’t have an alternator?

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

My truck is all electric. It does not have a combustion engine.

You are right that nothing physical lasts forever. Not even the sun will last forever. However, I have a solar panel that was paid for over 13 years ago and is still working today, so I think it was a good investment. It was actually a gift from my mother, who has since died, but the solar panel continues to work.

[–]1Icemonkey 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Hey, that’s pretty awesome about the solar panel. Exactly what truck do you have?

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Electric Ford Ranger

It needs some work. Think what you want, but I am praying God will do a miracle and fix it. He fixed my body when it was sick, so I know he can also make repairs to this electric truck. The human body is much more complicated than a truck, so if he can heal my body, he can make repairs to the truck. It also functions as a quiet place where I pray and read God's word.

[–]1Icemonkey 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

That’s cool, I’m not laughing. Is this an older ranger with an electric conversion? I don’t think the new ranger comes electric, and you’d have a warranty. Must be a one off truck? I don’t know that God can fix your truck, but I’m sure he will guide you with patience and knowledge and maybe help some funds come your way if needed for you to fix it.

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

God can do anything. He knit your body together in your mother's womb. Creating a human body with a spirit is a lot more challenging than repairing a truck. He might wait until I actually need the truck.... perhaps until after there is a disruption in fuel deliveries to the gas stations or if I am unable to purchase gas for another reason.

I appreciate your friendly attitude on this thread. I guess you have an interest in electronic projects. To answer your question about the truck, it was made by Ford as an experimental vehicle and looks a lot like the one on this page:

http://www.evnut.com/ranger_vigil.htm

[–]1Icemonkey 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I don’t really understand anything about electronics and such, so yeah, I guess it is interesting to me. I know an old guy who has a small electric Ford car, I can’t remember what it’s called. It has become obsolete in that the battery is on its way out and there is no replacement for it. Basically the car will get junked here shortly. Seems like a total waste. I’m waiting to see how many other cars will end up like his. I’m sure, unless Tesla goes under, that they will support older models in the future with replacement batteries. However, the limited production cars from other companies may end up at the crusher due to no support. Then there’s the issue of the batteries, what an environmental nightmare. On another note, apparently the current F-150 lightning will be obsolete by the time they finish their production run. The next Ford truck is supposed to be all Rivian power plant in a Ford bodied truck. Now I see why Ford invested in Rivian a few years ago. Strange stuff.

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It would be interesting to see how batteries are recycled and what kind of impact that process has on the planet.

[–]JasonCarswellDAT Mod 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I'd like to talk with you about this and other stuff soon.

My local groups are organizing radio groups too.

[–]tiny-brown-mug 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

That's pretty cool. Good job, Clouds! You have an impressive amount of technical know-how.