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Small QRP Xcvr Use Question

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John AE5X

Small QRP Xcvr Use Question

The easiest way to operate effectively from the field on 40/80 meters is via NVIS propagation. I use to do this with my Norcal-40 quite often when taking day hikes by putting up a dipole about 5 to 8 feet high. No feedline was necessary - the radio was at the center of the dipole and I was always surprised at how well I received stations (and them, me) out to a distance of ~400 miles.

For higher bands I use a Par End-Fedz. Their "MTR" model designed for 20, 30 and 40m works well on 17m also without requiring a tuner. I usually hang it inverted V fashion.

John AE5X
http://ae5x.blogspot.com/
____________________________________
Putting a KX1 or KX2 in ones pocket is one thing; putting out a readable

signal on 80 or 40 meters is something else and continues to challenge

even the folks at home with full size rigs.
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LendingTree
4 Cards That Charge $0 In Interest Until 2017 On Balance Transfers
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/57445465d9fa254657c53st03vuc
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w5tvw

Re: Small QRP Xcvr Use Question

If you don't mind carrying a "load" (If you are not hiking/backpacking)
I have found the Buddipole/tripod is a very excellent antenna from 40-17
meters in the horizontal dipole configuration at 9' using the 9.5'
whips. 40 and 20 use same identical setup just changing the setting of
the loading coils from one band to the other. Very effective and fairly
easy to setup with an analyzer for "tweaking it". I usually use an
FT-817 with it on CW or SSB.

For something simple but not nearly as good and touchy to use, is a 33'
wire a small tuner like the MFJ "pocket tuner" and an LED SWR indicator
for tuneup used with a 17-30' counterpoise wire laid on the ground.
MUCH lighter.

Everything will fit into a 8 X 8 X 8 photo bag plus a spare battery pack
(LiPO 16 v A/H 12 volt pack the size of a 7" tablet computer.) Will
last 3-4 hours or more.

The problem that rears its ugly head is you require a limb of a tree up
at least 15 - 20 feet or more to raise the wire as high as possible.
Performance with the Buddipole is better if you can stand the additional
bulk of the bag and parts to carry.

73,

Sandy W5TVW (NO! I don't walk very far! Too damned old for that.)

On 5/24/2016 8:16 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> The easiest way to operate effectively from the field on 40/80 meters is via NVIS propagation. I use to do this with my Norcal-40 quite often when taking day hikes by putting up a dipole about 5 to 8 feet high. No feedline was necessary - the radio was at the center of the dipole and I was always surprised at how well I received stations (and them, me) out to a distance of ~400 miles.
>
> For higher bands I use a Par End-Fedz. Their "MTR" model designed for 20, 30 and 40m works well on 17m also without requiring a tuner. I usually hang it inverted V fashion.
>
> John AE5X
> http://ae5x.blogspot.com/
> ____________________________________
> Putting a KX1 or KX2 in ones pocket is one thing; putting out a readable
>
> signal on 80 or 40 meters is something else and continues to challenge
>
> even the folks at home with full size rigs.
> ____________________________________________________________
> LendingTree
> 4 Cards That Charge $0 In Interest Until 2017 On Balance Transfers
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/57445465d9fa254657c53st03vuc
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Bill Steffey NY9H

Re: Small QRP Xcvr Use Question

i would think better is to have an kx3 or kx2 internal tuner ...esp
one that matches 10-1.
That eliminates weight, a box, cables and fussing...

my kx3 did Verry well on the Danube River bank with just 18 foot
wire about 8 feet up in a bush... no trees....ssb ( on a bike trip)....

yes a 10ft counterpoise

bill ny9h/3

At 10:07 AM 5/24/2016, Sandy wrote:
>If you don't mind carrying a "load" (If you are not
>hiking/backpacking) I have found the Buddipole/tripod is a very
>excellent antenna from 40-17 meters in the

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Grant Youngman

Re: Small QRP Xcvr Use Question

In reply to this post by w5tvw

Seems to me, like radios, you do antennas suitable to the environment.

There are times I pack and put up my Buddipole dipole with long arms on the 19’ mast; and times I carry and put up a tall BP vertical using arms and a long rigid shock cord whip. A standard Buddistick is light and easy to carry, and I have lightweight end fed antennas as well. Sometimes just a couple pieces of wire. They all work as well as what they are can work. It’s good to have a choice to fit the objective, mood, place, the carry, the weight, etc. I use the internal tuner for all of them anyway. I may eventually even try those little MFJ whips that Wayne seems to like (once I find a round to-it and get motivated to add a KX2) :-)

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342
(Mostly portable QRP all the time — thanks to pesky CC&Rs)

> On May 24, 2016, at 10:31 AM, Bill Steffey NY9H <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> i would think better is to have an kx3 or kx2 internal tuner ...esp one that matches 10-1.
> That eliminates weight, a box, cables and fussing...
>
> my kx3 did Verry well on the Danube River bank with just 18 foot wire about 8 feet up in a bush... no trees....ssb ( on a bike trip)....
>
> yes a 10ft counterpoise
>
>
> bill ny9h/3
>
>
>
>
> At 10:07 AM 5/24/2016, Sandy wrote:
>> If you don't mind carrying a "load" (If you are not hiking/backpacking) I have found the Buddipole/tripod is a very excellent antenna from 40-17 meters in the
>
> ______________________________________________________________