Setec and Codan designs on-the-go RF solution.

HF radios continue to provide dependable and cost effective medium for long- and short-range communications in critical and emergency applications.

In the absence of satellite links or terrestrial digitisation networks — or when these fail — high-frequency (HF) radios are what the military and government agencies still rely on to stay in touch. Manoeuvre units are among those reverting to HF communication because of its improved data-transmission and networking capabilities.

Codan’s 2110 Manpack is used by many government agencies throughout the world and is one of the lightest, feature-rich HF radios available today. It weighs only 5.2 kg with a 12 V 13 Ah NiMH battery creating the perfect solution for teams on the go. Lightweight yet powerful its battery has a 50-hour operating life with a 10 per cent voice duty cycle. The 2110M’s frequency range is 1.6–30 MHz (250 kHz–30 MHz receive) and it has selectable 25 W and 5 W outputs.

Its operating modes include an integral intelligent battery management system that provides readouts of the battery capacity and its condition via the front-panel display and also protects the battery from overcharging when it is being re-charged through a socket in the front panel. This battery management system is provided by Setec, a Melbourne based manufacturer, who worked closely with Codan to design the most appropriate and efficient design.

The 17 Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) rechargeable battery is lighter than a standard 13 Ah NiMH battery, provides 30% more capacity, and maintains the charge 5 times longer when in storage. With the 2110M's smart battery interface, the user can view critical data including battery life expectancy based on the normal field operational scenario of 1:9 Tx:Rx.

The 2110 manpack provides press-button Easitalk DSP noise-reduction system to reduce the effect of interference and channel noise in harsh conditions. Its GPS receiver option enables users to monitor their own position and the distance and bearing from other users in a network, while a base station operator using Codan GPS and tracking software is able to track manpack users on a single map. The 2110M can also be fitted with a programmable one-touch emergency call button whose transmission automatically includes GPS position information. 

Setec have been designing and manufacturing power products for over 40 years are experts in power management earning a reputation of high quality products throughout the world.

Why it is important to monitor your battery

Most caravans and motor homes have a battery power source of some sort. There may come a time, especially in some remote locations, when reliance on battery power will be the only option. I t is important therefore to look after the battery for these times.

The best way to look after your battery and ensure that it has a long and productive life is to keep your eye on how it is charged, and to what level it is discharged. Discharging a battery beyond 30% is dangerous as beyond this point the cycle life (lifetime) of the battery dramatically reduces.

So how can you know your battery’s charge levels? Using a voltage meter will tell you the voltage. However, as this method is only dealing with the electrical voltage of the battery, it won’t determine the charge level. I t will also mean that you would have to constantly check the voltage, which will become time consuming, not to mention annoying. The best way of determining the state of charge is to use a battery monitor.

The Setec BMS-001 is a battery monitor that works like a “fuel gauge” with a display screen of real time information about the health and charge of your battery. I t will estimate the remaining discharge time so as to avoid it going beyond the dangerous 30% level, thus protecting your battery from damage and increasing its life.

I t also shows information such as volts, amps, cycles, remaining life and charge/discharge, through a clear visual display screen.

A battery monitor will cost around the $400 mark, but pays for itself through increasing the life of your battery and saving the expense of buying new batteries.