VK5SW's Solar Stations with pictures

These images show my solar powered Ham Radio stations which are located on our property in the South Australian Bush.

The first is located in a colourbond shed shown in this picture and the second in an old caravan which has been renovated.

The third in a small shed made of second hand fencing iron. The new shack is in the process of being built.

Main Station - The IC-7600 radio and laptop computer are powered by a 670AH lead acid, deep cycle battery.

This station is also operated remotely from the home Qth, 150 klms away.

The shack now set up for remote operating. If interested in remote operating, click here.

The home Qth from where the station is remotely controlled.

Old technology but reliable - a 670 Amp Hour, Lead Acid, wet, deep cycle battery. March 2018 - Been in use for eleven years now.

A 12 volt, 80 watt polycrystalline solar panel slowly charges the battery.

The Controller which regulates the charging voltage and current fed to the battery from the solar panel - prevents over charging.

The second station is located in an old caravan. This picture shows the van before renovations were made.

The completed caravan.

The operating position in the caravan showing the FT-450 radio and the green top of the battery in the foreground.

A 150 Amp Hour 'AGM' deep cycle battery powers the radio in the caravan. Maintenance is not needed on this particular battery.

Two 12 volt, 80 watt (160 watts) polycrystalline solar panels charge the 150AH AGM deep cycle battery.

The caravan charge controller which regulates the charging voltage and current fed to the battery from the solar panels.

The other solar powered and remotely operated station is located in the shed shown below. My Dad and I built this shed some time

ago and I used it as a remote solar shack for a while. It is made from second hand colourbond fencing iron.

FT-450D, Remoterig black box, blue SMS relay switch, wifi modem to its right. 30A, 12V relays in front plus solar controller.

This 12 volt, 145 watt, monocrystalline solar panel charges the battery. It produces up to 8 amps.

The solar panel and Hustler 6BTV, HF, 6 band vertical antenna.

Below can be seen the new colorbond shack which is currently being built.

If you would like information about setting up a solar shack, click on 'SOLAR POWER' - below, left.

This is the new 10 minute High Energy, High Definition Drone Video showing from above my 4 Solar Powered Amateur Radio Shacks on our property in the South Australian Bush.
The picture shows the home Qth from where the main station is remotely controlled, a distance of 150klms.. Made on 30th Nov. 2019. Only runs for 10 minutes. Will open in a new window. Speakers on.