Thread: Becker 4201
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Old April 25th 19, 01:56 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net
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Default Becker 4201

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 10:58:59 PM UTC-5, JS wrote:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 7:23:01 PM UTC-7, soaringjac wrote:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 7:11:23 PM UTC-7, Dave Springford wrote:
On Wednesday, 24 April 2019 22:06:13 UTC-4, soaringjac wrote:
Will the Becker 4201 run off 12v battery? Seems like it needs 14v

It will run from a 12V battery. Have used lead-acid 12 V 9 ah in the past and now use K2 LiFePo4 battery due to it's higher capacity.


Great, Thanks Dave!


Probably the only 57mm cutout radio that won't would be older versions of the Microair, featuring distorted transmissions when a 12v SLA is slightly low.
The Becker AR4201 has a secret weapon: The newer AR6201 is a direct replacement, plug and play.
Jim


I never noticed before that the specifications for the Becker AR4201's required supply ranges are;

Nominal supply voltage 13.75 V.d.c.
Supply voltage range 12.4 V to 15.1 V


While the Becker AR6201 has a MUCH more tolerant supply range;

Nominal supply voltage range .... 11.0 to 30.3 V
extended supply voltage range ... 10.25 V to 32.2V

That being said, I have successfully used TX/RX on a AR4201 with SLA and LiFePo4 batteries down to 12Vdc (and below but I imagine the TX range was reduced below 12Vdc). Just the other day one of my club's ship was able to power up with an (unknown) very low 8Vdc SLA battery ... which quickly died completely once we hit the PTT.

LiFePo4 batteries are highly recommended these days and well worth the extra $$$'s. My testing of LiFePo4 batteries shows a very flat voltage curve in the sweet spot around ~12.5Vdc after which the curve descends in a hurry following many hours of use. See https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...ng/F2sS33W-d6M.

- John OHM Ω