On 1/14/2011 11:49 AM, dave wrote:
> what mobile/portable radio do you recommend for using during a field day or
> using during a trip?
K2. KX1 if the "trip" is on foot.
> what is a good antenna for using with a mobile unit?
"Put RF current into it and anything will radiate."
Tom, N6BT [of Force12 fame]
24-25' end fed with counterpoise works good with a KX1+ATU. A half-wave
end fed works better, K9JWV uses them all the time while activating SOTA
summits, the tuner is very light and easy to build.
> elecraft offers a buddipole and buddistick antenna
> have you used this type and what is your opinion of these?
I have a Buddipole. Too heavy to backpack with but great for field
outings you drive to. Vertical loaded ground plane seems to work best
for me.
> everthing will need to be packable and i might buy a portable honda generator
> i just purchased an alinco power supply
Rose Kopp [elecraftcov...@rfwave.net] makes some really nifty heavy
woven nylon cases for Elecraft equipment. She will custom make it for
you, she did for my K2, and the entire radio [K2, W1 wattmeter, Bencher
paddle, Li-Ion battery, and misc cables and stuff] for a field trip is
in one case ... with my call embroidered on it.
Power all depends on how you travel. If it's on business trips, a high
capacity battery that you can charge in a hotel room is probably your
best bet -- light, compact. If it's in an RV, you can get Li-Ion
chargers that will run off of a vehicle battery [www.mahaenergy.com/] is
one example. Mine is nominally 9.8 Ah, I can realistically get about
7.5 Ah before the low voltage cutoff, and it will power my K2 on CW with
ordinary usage for about 15 hours straight.
I power my KX1 from a 12V Li-Poly battery I got at the local RC Model
shop. It is about the size of a small matchbox, weighs about 2.5oz, and
at 11.7 volts, it powers the KX1 to about 3W for longer than I want to
stay on the air.
> i am new to amateur radio and just began studying for the technician exam
I carried a VHF/UHF handheld with me whenever I traveled on business
[which was all the time], in some cases where I was spending significant
time [e.g. Columbus OH], I joined the local club, used their repeater,
and got to know them. HF requires a General class ticket [except for a
small part of 10m].
Welcome to the hobby, there are more varied ways to enjoy it than you
can imagine. Right now, I'm getting my K3 ready for the NAQP SSB
tomorrow. Good luck
73,
Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011
- www.cqp.org
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