Thanks for the ideas, Jim. The tutorial I really want to see (or maybe make someday) is one about the KX1 operations for a complete QRP novice. Such a video would take the ham step by step demonstrating all the features and explain why xyz is important. I write software, and these kind of tutorials are tremendously helpful. It's a great way to encourage others to adopt your product.
It's too bad I won't be able to take my little rig with me on my backpacking trip, but there should be a next time. Thanks for all your good ideas. This is a great hobby. 73, Paul KG5KXG -----Original Message----- From: "Jim Brown" <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> Sent: 12/27/2016 7:13 PM To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Dummy loads for dummies On Tue,12/27/2016 12:22 PM, Paul C wrote: > It seems tuff to get going in QRP. Hi Paul, The only thing "special" about antennas for QRP operation is that BECAUSE you're QRP, you want the most efficient antennas that you can. And the simple answer to that is to study the fundamentals in the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Book. And if you plan to operate portable, you want the most efficient antennas that are easy to carry, and to rig when you get to your operating QTH. There are some tutorials on my website about antennas. They are written for antennas in general, not just portable antennas. The best portable antennas are mostly nothing more than wire. The things you want to BUY are the wire and things that help you rig them. Look for lightweight, telescoping poles that you can tape a wire to, and ways to rig it more or less upright. Jackite poles are nice for this use. Carry more wire to string out as radials. When you can, keep the radials off the ground a few feet -- for example, string them through scrub trees and brush. Build dipoles for situations when you can rig two ends in trees. Find a lightweight method to toss weights tied to fishing line into trees, tie light weight antenna rope to the line, pull it into the tree(s), rig the antenna wire to that rope. I used to see a product called a "wrist rocket" that is essentially a fishing reel attached to a short rod for launching into a tree. If you're going to use fishing weights, paint them a bright color so you can find them. One of my buddies, N6RNO, is awfully good at simply tying a fishing weight to a fishing line and using his arm as a sort of catapault to launch wires into trees. He regularly gets our dipoles for CQP (California QSO Party) county expeditions up 40 ft into trees. When I first moved to CA 10 years ago, AE6RF did that using a half empty 16 oz water jug. Tossing a wire into a tree is also a great way to rig a vertical. Whatever you do, don't waste a single penny on any commercial antenna for portable use. Those popular (and expensive) poles antennas with loading coils are poor antennas -- loading coils are the reason. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to paul...@sbcglobal.net ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
