Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Charge your portable ham radio laptop or tablet off grid using the same 12-volt battery that powers your radio. In this video, I demonstrate how USB-C Power Delivery can replace inefficient inverters and bulky AC charging bricks in a portable field station.
We’ll connect a Microsoft Surface, Dell Latitude and other compatible computers directly to a 12-volt LiFePO4 battery through USB-C PD adapters. I’ll explain how Power Delivery negotiates the voltage required by each device and show real-world voltage, current and power measurements.
The system uses Anderson Powerpole connectors, a 12-volt accessory socket and a USB-C PD adapter. This allows the radio and computer to share one portable power source while maintaining a lightweight, modular station.
Topics include USB-C PD charging, Surface Connect cables, adapter wattage, DC-to-DC conversion, Powerpole distribution, cable ratings and selecting a suitable laptop or tablet for off-grid ham radio.
The same approach can support compatible equipment such as:
Microsoft Surface laptops and tablets
Dell Latitude laptops
Lenovo laptops with compatible charging cables
Icom IC-705
Xiegu X6100 and X6200
USB-C rechargeable radios and accessories
USB-C PD adapters, cables and tools shown in the video:
oh8stn.org/blog/2024/07/27/charging-your-laptop-or-tablet-off-grid
RELATED VIDEOS
Microsoft Surface for Ham Radio playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKMrdrsNkFA6_xdYAArM4kJhfkS_-EBFN
Portable Ham Radio Data Modes with a Microsoft Surface:
youtu.be/-XXpvZ2ifh4
Icom IC-705 Wireless Data Modes with Microsoft Surface:
youtu.be/r22xilag_9A
Send Email Over Ham Radio Without Internet:
youtu.be/7xwWdXZhczE
Goodbye Raspberry Pi for Portable Ham Radio:
youtu.be/xIrd2l8t4l8
My emergency communications books:
amazon.com/author/julian-oh8stn
CHAPTERS
00:00 Charging a Ham Radio Laptop Off Grid
00:41 Choosing an Off-Grid Computer
01:10 USB-C Power Delivery Explained
02:04 Compatible Laptops, Tablets and Radios
03:09 USB-C PD Charging Cables
04:33 Standardized Charging for Field Gear
05:19 Building the 12-Volt Power Cable
06:46 Choosing a USB-C PD Adapter
07:15 Connecting the Off-Grid Charging System
09:33 Measuring Microsoft Surface Power Usage
11:19 Dell Latitude Charging Test
12:30 Alternative Panel-Mount Adapter
14:47 Adapter Compatibility and Cable Safety
15:56 Final Off-Grid Charging Setup
73
Julian OH8STN
#HamRadio #OffGridPower #USBCPD
Charge your portable ham radio laptop or tablet off grid using the same 12-volt battery that powers your radio. In this video, I demonstrate how USB-C Power Delivery can replace inefficient inverters and bulky AC charging bricks in a portable field station.
We’ll connect a Microsoft Surface, Dell Latitude and other compatible computers directly to a 12-volt LiFePO4 battery through USB-C PD adapters. I’ll explain how Power Delivery negotiates the voltage required by each device and show real-world voltage, current and power measurements.
The system uses Anderson Powerpole connectors, a 12-volt accessory socket and a USB-C PD adapter. This allows the radio and computer to share one portable power source while maintaining a lightweight, modular station.
Topics include USB-C PD charging, Surface Connect cables, adapter wattage, DC-to-DC conversion, Powerpole distribution, cable ratings and selecting a suitable laptop or tablet for off-grid ham radio.
The same approach can support compatible equipment such as:
Microsoft Surface laptops and tablets
Dell Latitude laptops
Lenovo laptops with compatible charging cables
Icom IC-705
Xiegu X6100 and X6200
USB-C rechargeable radios and accessories
USB-C PD adapters, cables and tools shown in the video:
oh8stn.org/blog/2024/07/27/charging-your-laptop-or-tablet-off-grid
RELATED VIDEOS
Microsoft Surface for Ham Radio playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKMrdrsNkFA6_xdYAArM4kJhfkS_-EBFN
Portable Ham Radio Data Modes with a Microsoft Surface:
youtu.be/-XXpvZ2ifh4
Icom IC-705 Wireless Data Modes with Microsoft Surface:
youtu.be/r22xilag_9A
Send Email Over Ham Radio Without Internet:
youtu.be/7xwWdXZhczE
Goodbye Raspberry Pi for Portable Ham Radio:
youtu.be/xIrd2l8t4l8
My emergency communications books:
amazon.com/author/julian-oh8stn
CHAPTERS
00:00 Charging a Ham Radio Laptop Off Grid
00:41 Choosing an Off-Grid Computer
01:10 USB-C Power Delivery Explained
02:04 Compatible Laptops, Tablets and Radios
03:09 USB-C PD Charging Cables
04:33 Standardized Charging for Field Gear
05:19 Building the 12-Volt Power Cable
06:46 Choosing a USB-C PD Adapter
07:15 Connecting the Off-Grid Charging System
09:33 Measuring Microsoft Surface Power Usage
11:19 Dell Latitude Charging Test
12:30 Alternative Panel-Mount Adapter
14:47 Adapter Compatibility and Cable Safety
15:56 Final Off-Grid Charging Setup
73
Julian OH8STN
#HamRadio #OffGridPower #USBCPD
