THE HAM NOTEBOOK

While on a stay--at-home vacation, I spent several days helping my brother-in-law Dan install the electrical system in his van-to-camper conversion.

I often get “pulled into” projects like this since “I know some things about electrical work and wires.”

At first, I thought this would be a fun project, since it would be a great experience for me to learn and to describe a vehicle solar charging system for a mobile or emergency communications vehicle or roving contest station.

But this was not to be.

As I learned more about the project, I discovered there was no plan. Nothing was on paper or computer. Based on the supplies, parts, appliances, and other things piled inside the van, a lot of money had already been spent.

After several hours discussing what was needed in the van, including as many details as possible for the.