Customer Reviews

Emergency Power: For Radio Communications

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike so many ARRL books, this one is written from the ground up so that people of any experience level can understand.

Mike Bryce does a great job of explaining both the intricate and the simple. Even though he's an engineer by training, he makes the material understandable to the beginner.

I highly recommend this book. If you're interested in emergency power for radio, home, or general living off the grid, this is a fabulous introduction.

An excellent book for those considering using solar or other alternative power sources. It's also useful for folks wanting to know how to use a generator or other sources during power failures or wiring their home for standby use.

Lots of good information here to keep you going when the electric power grid goes down. Or, when you just want to get your power from somewhere besides the power company. The author goes into a lot of detail in explaining the different types of solar panels, storage batteries, generators, lights and a whole lot more. I recommend this book.

I bought this book after having met the author at a "FDIM" Conference in Fairborn OH a couple years ago. He was speaking to the group about Emergency prep and alternate power sources. Giving many great examples of his personal experience in the field. Mike Bryce knows what he is talking about! I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in getting time tested and proven advice from someone who has been there and done that!

The author provides a précis of mechanisms for providing backup power at home including solar, wind, water and fossil fuel. The author's interest in emergency power stems from his many years as an amateur radio operator and the necessity of keeping the station on the air during power outages. Despite the focus on power for 'communications'--the book is helpful for anyone who desires to keep the lights, fans, electric razor or computer going when the grid is down.

Surveying the contents of the book:

o Chapter 1--Introduction
General overview of the author's interest in emergency power along with the 'word to the wise'--that stuff happens.
o Chapter 2--Emergency Lighting
Everything you wanted to know -- and some stuff you probably didn't want to know about providing light when the power is down: flashlights (all types), glow sticks and candles.
o Chapter 3--Solar Power
Lots of information on solar panels: Types of cells, power ratings, output regulation, fixed mount versus tracking mounts, wind loading and periodic cleaning.
o Chapter 4--Charge Controllers
A review of charge controllers for photovoltaic systems. Since the output of a solar cell is a function of solar illumination--a charge controller is necessary lest a cloudy day result in a system meltdown.
o Chapter 5--Generators (Gas, Wind and Water).
A fairly brief discussion on generators (gas or liquid propane) and a note on the importance of the transfer switch--but not a lot of help in spec'ing out a transfer switch or how to install. Lots of information on wind power (since the author dabbled in windmills for a while) and the obvious conclusion that the set of all Americans with access to a water source suitable for running a turbine is effectively empty.
o Chapter 6--Load Sizing
Some example calculations on how to size the load you wish to keep electrified without the benefit of your local utility company. The author's approach here is rather nonchalant since he asserts that the ultimate limit will be your bank account.
o Chapter 7--Batteries
A chapter on batteries--the heart of any home power system. Much useful information here.
o Chapter 8--Systems
The author provides a holistic overview of emergency power systems from elementary mobile systems to substantial home-based systems. The author includes some photos from his own system--but some schematic diagrams would be eminently more helpful.
o Chapter 9--Inverters
An overview of inverters and various cautions about electronics that may be vulnerable to simple switchers.
o Chapter 10--Station Instrumentation
Meters and gauges and tools, oh my!
Chapter 11--Safety
The obligatory paean to safety--you are working with electricity after all.
The author has 'lived the dream' and the reader is the beneficiary of his extensive experience in designing, building and operating emergency power systems.

A few comments:
1. The author uses an informal writing style that some will find inviting, but I found rather irritating. In several cases, a more professional style would provide more useful information in few pages of print.
2. The author does permit the reader to benefit from his extensive experience, but occasionally bludgeons the reader with some of his failures (in great detail). Of note is the warning not to build your own solar panels from elementary cells. After warning the reader not to try--he breaks down and spends a few columns on text and a step-by-step instructions---only to ultimately conclude (quite convincingly) that the effort is doomed nonetheless. When I read mystery novels I enjoy weaving through a convoluted path from start to finish--when I read a technical book, I want to absorb as much useful information as efficiently as possible.
3. The author includes reprints of a few articles he has written for QST magazine in the appendix. The author's writing style in these articles is superb. Direct, to-the-point, clear and concise. I don't know if we should credit the exigency of getting all the technical details squeezed into a finite word limit--or the editors of QST for the change in style.
4. The selection of topics and the chapter order seems a little off target. The chapters on emergency lights and general emergency preparedness I would cheerfully sacrifice for more detail on batteries, transfer switches and generators. Battery technology should come first, then load sizing, then means for recharging the batteries.
5. The text is amply populated with photographs. Some are very helpful and some are simply 'filler' (like the pictures of the charging station in a battery factory).

After reading the book, the reader is left with the feeling that they had a long chat with a seasoned home power mentor--someone with ample experience and lots of good advice (someone amateur radio operators would refer to as an 'elmer'). You will feel a lot more confidence in tackling the challenge of home power. However, in all fairness, he didn't design your system, he didn't construct your system or make any of the critical trade-off decisions. He did give you a lot to think about and a very long list of homework assignments.

Enjoy!

This book is more a collection of articles, but they're all great articles if you're in to radio and emergency operating.

I've found quite a few projects in here that I'd like to attempt.

Nothing but nice things to say about this book.

73, N6LY

Packed with good info. Whether you are going "off grid", or just prepairing something for backup in case of an emergency, there is something here for you.

As always the ARRL has produced another quality publication. This book teaches the basics of alternative power and backup power with an emphasise on emergency communications, but it is suitable for anyone who is interested in backup power systems. They also go over more advanced concepts so it is suibable for the beginner and more experienced folks in this field.

This guide was a pleasant surprise, it covered the use of emergency power systems to keep your radio up during an emergency better than I had hoped for.
Solar, generators, even wind power is touched upon, and the emergency use of batteries was explained in good detail.

Excellent read on Emergency Power! I especially enjoy the information regarding batteries and inverters. Good job!