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How to Build an Amateur Ham Mobile Radio Power Pack

Ham (amateur) radio has been chartered by the Federal Communications Commission specifically to be a volunteer-based emergency radio communications network composed of individuals who purchase and use their own long-range and short-range radio equipment. Although the radio service is used as a hobby and for contests during times of peace, members spring into action to provide communications during natural and man-made disasters. As a ham radio operator who is ready for any emergency, you should have at least a minimal emergency power system with which to communicate during the hours when commercial electricity is unavailable.

Things You'll Need

Plastic case sized to your chosen battery
Drill with hole-saw set
Cigarette-lighter receptacle
14 AWG wire (red and black)
Soldering iron and solder kit (35 watt to 65 watt)
12-volt deep-cell marine or golf-cart battery
Battery charger (float type) for 12-volt batteries

Instructions

- 1
  Determine where you desire to place your cigarette lighter receptacle into the plastic battery case, making sure to place it in a location where the battery won't prohibit it from being installed properly.
- 2
  Drill a hole, using a drill and hole saw bit, through the plastic case making sure it is the recommended diameter per the installation sheet that should have come with your cigarette lighter receptacle and then install the receptacle into the hole with the included mounting hardware.
- 3
  Install the deep-cell battery into the case and then cut two pieces of 14 AWG wire long enough to go from the battery posts to the wire tabs on the back end of the cigarette-lighter receptacle unit. Cut one length of red wire and one length of black wire.
- 4
  Solder one end of the black wire to the negative (-) battery terminal and then solder the other end to the lighter adapter tab that is connected to the barrel (outside) of the unit. Solder one end of the red wire to the positive (+) battery terminal and then solder the other end to the lighter adapter tab that is connected to the center of the unit.
- 5
  Connect your battery charger to the battery and charge to full capacity. Check the battery level at least once per week and recharge to full capacity on an as-needed basis. To use the mobile battery power pack, close and latch the battery lid and carry the unit to where you will be operating your radio. Connect your radio's cigarette-lighter power plug adapter into the lighter receptacle on the power pack unit and then communicate on an as-needed-only basis.

Ham Radio