Photovoltaic, Emergency Auxiliary Communications, and Electronics (PEACE) Amateur Radio Station for Disaster Relief

In the aftermath of natural disasters such as tornadoes or hurricanes, modern infrastructure-especially the electrical grid-often sustains significant damage, leading to widespread communication failures. Reliable communication systems are critical for effective disaster relief, yet the absence of power exacerbates these challenges for citizens, emergency services, and government entities. This paper presents a Photovoltaic Emergency Auxiliary Communications and Electronics (PEACE) Station, a portable solar-battery-powered solution designed to meet critical communication needs during emergencies. The PEACE station features a 100W solar panel array, a battery pack, a reconfigurable open-source power electronics converter, and an ICOM 2720 Transceiver for amateur radio communication. Field tests have been conducted to evaluate the system's performance, demonstrating its potential as a deployable solution in disaster relief operations.