[aprssig] Tesla Field Day mode (or any EV/Hybrid)

[Nick VA3NNW]

Bob, Wb4aPR wrote:
> More than half the 42 EV’s now on the market cost less (with
> incentives) than the $35k average gas car.  See
> http://aprs.org/Energy/EV/EV-costs-color-c.pdf
> 
> 53% of the 42 EVs (including plugin hybrids) now have more than 350
> mile range for trips too:
> 
> http://aprs.org/Energy/EV/EV-ranges-color-b.pdf
The (PH)EV at the end of https://photos.app.goo.gl/iGHpDDticDtbJAc4A was 
a Mitsubishi Outlander. It cost less than my Honda. It ran half our 
Field Day for 17hrs on battery alone, then started its gas engine for 
about 20 mins to top the battery back up again. The owner figured it 
could run FD for over 10 days on a tank, which also makes it 
considerably more efficient than the big purpose-built generator we lug 
to field day on the back of a truck.

To answer some of the other questions people have asked:

QRM: Definitely not noticeable when stationary under our HF FD antennas, 
among the tents where we operate. Didn't notice it when moving either, 
but admittedly that may have been before+after FD was truly "under way".

No particular QRM when operating VHF Mobile, EG on the local repeaters, 
or simplex on the way to/from hamfests. Far quieter than many "old cars" 
by most accounts.

Pat, the owner, doesn't operate HF mobile, but we might try some 
experiments if we can borrow an HF whip from another club member 
sometime. Probably not in the next few weeks due to other priorities.

Part 15 exemptions: What's part 15? I think this only applies in the US? 
The other 95% of the world has no part 15, has no part 15 exemptions, 
and the manufacturers have obviously been working well within 
international EMC/QRM regulations and tolerances for many years now. 
Europe and Asia-Pac markets have historically been FAR more strict on 
these things.

Pat noted that all the modern EVs are using 3-phase electric motors, 
current sums to zero, there's no sparky brushes, no interruption of 
current, no unbalanced returns, shielded cables, the motors are pretty 
much faraday cages too. Anecdotally speaking, OLDER ICE vehicles 
("classic cars", "muscle cars") are far noiser than newer (ICE or EV)

Obviously the internal combustion engine has the spark plugs, ignition 
coils, ditributors, alternators, electric fans, and everything else 
you're used to from ICE vehicles, albeit it's only used intermittently, 
and when in use it's able to operate at the most efficient+economical 
RPMs rather than the RPMs demanded by the transmission and vehicle speed.

Normal range on EV, topped up at home: 40km or so, certainly never need 
gas for normal day-to-day "around-town" shopping and commute and 
inner-city commute and stuff, he usually has to deliberately refuel the 
dinosaur-juice every few months just to stop the fuel from going bad (oh 
yeah! Petrol has a "best before date"!)

Range on gas (series hybrid mode, a bit like diesel-elctric trains): 
517km between refills.

He takes it on long camping trips, and can either recharge at campsites 
that offer power, or can run campsite with fridge, lighting, TV, and of 
course ham radio etc, off the combination big battery and generator.

You can charge it at home for pennies whilst you sleep, and/or you can 
take it to the gas station and stand in the cold filling it with 
dinosaur juice for long road-trips, best of both worlds, though 
admittedly also SOME of the costs/maintenance/weight/failure modes of both.


73! Nick VA3NNW

-- 
"Nosey" Nick Waterman, VA3NNW/G7RZQ, K2 #5209.
use Std::Disclaimer;    sig at noseynick.net
The bland leadeth the bland and they both shall fall into the kitsch.