ARRL suggests hams should make sure their stations are resilient with battery backup or alternate power means. I'm torn between a traditional computer UPS system for my IC-7300 setup versus building a proper 12V battery backup with something like a PWRgate. Some say consumer UPS systems are great for short outages but worthless for long term ones, and the batteries never recover after deep discharge. Looking for real-world experiences from folks who've been through extended power outages.

A proper DC UPS will provide smooth transition from power supply to backup battery without disturbing rig operation, then switch back and recharge after power restoration. The investment in a PWRgate system pays off during those multi-day outages when a computer UPS would have quit hours ago.

LiFePO4 is the best all-around choice for portability and runtime, while AGM/SLA still works for budget backup use. I run my 100W HF rig off a 50Ah LiFePO4 with automatic switching - gives me days of operation even with digital modes. Much better than any UPS I've tried.

During Hurricane Milton last year, my computer UPS died after 3 hours but my 12V battery system kept the 2m rig running for two full days. Even when you have AC power available, running through a lithium battery can be beneficial - if you lose AC power, the battery keeps systems up and running. Lesson learned!