I've spent the last ten years or so searching for the right radio and antenna combination for island jumping in the Caribbean. I started with am Icom 756 Pro II and dipoles (with snap-on legs) and used that combination for several years. The trouble is, the radio is extremely heavy, requiring a Pelican case for just the radio and accessories (just making the 50 lb limit). Two months ago I tried a Flex 3000 + Laptop and a new YP3 - portable 3 element beam/ tripod combination on a trip to PJ4... which from a traveling standpoint was ideal. The radio + power supply and laptop all fit into a carry-on briefcase, while the antenna and tripod fit into a small 3-foot long duffel bag. Unfortunately I found the radio to be very difficult to stabilize without counterpoises, lots of RF chokes, etc...so its history. Enter my new K3 <advertisement begins here>. I finished my new K3 last Friday and used it in the IARU over the weekend with the portable beam in the back yard, placing what looks like first in my section. I'm taking it to J68 in 2 weeks (for two weeks) to put it through its paces (including much needed RTTY contacts from J68). Hopefully I can fit the radio, power supply, and laptop in a carry-on. For those of you who have experience traveling with your K3's... I'd love to hear your experience (what worked and what didn't). I think, though, this combination will be a winner...
Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ/ PJ4HZ Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch Staunton, Illinois email: b...@wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Steve KC8QVO Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 5:55 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Travel antennas - outside with rig inside I am out of town this weekend and brought my 28' random wire/counterpoise. I have the random wire and counterpoise going out the window about 5' away. The tip of the random wire goes up in a tree about 15' up. The counterpoise goes out the window the opposite direction weaved through some bushes (to keep off the ground) about 5' up. The antenna seems to perform a ton better in a portable set up outside. There are signals I can hear on 40, but they are much weaker than if I set up outside. Another note is the window frame is wood and cranks open. I pulled the screen out to have clear access through the window. Wire is #26 Silky Wire from The Wireman (my favorite). I am thinking for this kind of set up I need to get the feedpoint OUTSIDE the window. Right now the wires come through the window and attach to the rig with a BNC-binding post adapter. I believe getting the feedpoint outside the window requires a coax cable and external tuner. Does anyone have any ideas on running the tuner inside the rig that may work without coax? Balanced feed lines will still detune through the window frame too, they need to be clear. Maybe it would perform better than the wires I have now though. Steve, KC8QVO -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Travel-antennas-outside-with-rig-inside -tp7559519.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2437/5142 - Release Date: 07/19/12 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html