I really like your idea about putting the radio in-line with the antenna and dumping the coax. I think this will help matching problems and will mean one less thing to carry.
Yes, eliminating the coax is a must. One just doesn't need it out there. Even on mountain tops, where there were no trees, there was usually a rock high enough to make things work.
I enjoyed your video very much. Although I am not a backpacker, my wife and I camp in a Class C RV and I bring my KX3 along and various home brew antennas. I was using a 5AH SLA battery which was finally losing its capacity. I recently purchased a 6 AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery from Bioenno Power in California. It looks like it is going to be a winner.
Yes, I too have a 9 AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery from Bioenno Power. It far exceeds my expectations. I recently rode my bicycle from Oregon to Massachusetts and never once ran it down to where I was anywhere near out of power. You can see the blog about that adventure at: xcbiketrip.com/index.php/welcome/
For those who are rusty with CW, just wondering why more have not thought about using a tablet computer (Windows 7 lightest eight possible) and a few other key components like MRP40 software, and a SIGNALINK USB (or other lightweight sound card) and W1GEE serial keying module. Wish there was a CW application on android or iPhone with a Bluetooth to keying circuit connection; but maybe some just use audio speaker output on the microphone connection for output keying; and microphone input for CW translation.
Computer programs and apps can only receive well if CW is transmitted by a computer or a very meticulous CW operator. Most CW operators are a bit sloppy with a hand operated CW key. You won't decode much with a computer but can receive it very well by ear. A human brain is billions of times more powerful than the most sophisticated modern computers. Use it.
well MRP40 may only be a start, but if we have applications like SHAZAM and SIRI and like ten others how far are we away from having a capable MORSE identification application? CONTEST folks are using MRP40. One graduate student away from making it work extremely well? Pure speculation, but with the various JT65 modes and more being full of users to take advantage of bandwidth, just am thinking that its good to go down the path of letting the computer do the work. Its not that its impossible to learn, but its more that people are flooded with too many things to learn.
+Patricia Suarez Last summer, Jane, KA1FUN, and I hiked the Vermont Long Trail, 273 miles. They had all-time record rainfall and the radio started acting odd, I think all the connections in it are starting to corrode after many years out in the weather. It is still working, but thinks are starting to act a bit intermittent. I may retire it for my "museum." Currently I'm messing with an FT-817ND, but it may prove a bit heavy for the long distance hiking, we'll see. Check out the PFR-3 radio, it is essentially the Altoids radio, with a built in antenna tuner and batteries, nice package.
Thank you. I really enjoyed listening to your video. I am travelling from the UK to the Philippines soon and weight is my main concern. I passed my CW test many years ago and, I use SSB 90% of the time and Digi 10% the rest of the time. I have no option but to increase the weight of my equipment by taking my Yaesu FT817, a small tuner and a few wire antennas (and possibly a small roach pole?). I do have a Buddipole Deluxe but that is likely to push my aircraft Kg over the weight limit and that may incur charges £$. 73 de Bob, M0BOB.
interesting. I very much expected an ft817 to be your final choice but when you mentioned elecraft I knew that wasn't to be. what is the power output of the altoids radio ?
I love the Elecraft equipment, I just didn't have the funds for such a fine radio. I did end up with the FT-817ND. The Altoids radio depended on battery voltage, anywhere from 2 watts to 6 watts.
I carried an ATS-3A, from KD1JV for most of the AT hike. On my bicycle adventures I have the FT-817ND. The Yaesu is just too heavy for long distance hiking, but okay for shorter hikes. For the first 600 miles of the AT I carried a homebrewed affair.
It is because we are the last of people who were taught to think and take on complicated projects :) I am a retired broadcast engineer. I know of no technicians who can do board level repairs who do not have grey hair. When we are gone, you will revert to the stone age because you will not be able to keep the lights on. Perhaps your robot factories can keep giving you SMD electronics. You best hope their computers never crash :) Look around, you see all those bridges, and airplanes, and buildings, those were built by engineers with slide rules because there were no calculators. Be very careful about "old timey and out of date" my friend. You don't have a clue!
HM Dickson Hopefully we won't because people like me want to learn from people like you. Take hope, there are still some of us who don't believe in the "plug and play" method.
HM Dickson, You sir are absolutely correct! Worst part I blame the U.S. education system completely for this breakdown of intelligence!vit is incredibly sad! I thank God I got into Amateur Radio when Elmers from the WWII generation were plentiful, those men made sure I was skilled with a soldering iron, and I will forever be thankful for them!
+HM Dickson well im a 15 year old extra that has made my own antenna cw keys because im learning cw i have replaced capacitor in tvs and am on the way to doing what the old timers used to do i currently have a knight r 100 a as far as an old radio just need the transmitter.
+david gierszewski Very good to hear a 15 year old having such interest in our wonderful hobby and service! There is absolutely no end to the fun that can be had exploring the many areas of interest in radio! The interesting people you will meet and friendships from all around the world will forever change your life! You my friend are in for an education that money cannot buy! I wish you a life time of adventure! Enjoy ham radio and never stop learning!
Back when I was a kid, we carved our own radios out of wood.
+Sabatheus Good one. Mine were steam powered.
when I was a kid I walked to school up hill , both ways !
@@sparky42 And we had to wrap barbwire around our feet fir the ice in winter.
I really like your idea about putting the radio in-line with the antenna and dumping the coax. I think this will help matching problems and will mean one less thing to carry.
Yes, eliminating the coax is a must. One just doesn't need it out there. Even on mountain tops, where there were no trees, there was usually a rock high enough to make things work.
A true HAM OM, thank you Gentleman for your videos, very informative and enjoyable.
I enjoyed your video very much. Although I am not a backpacker, my wife and I camp in a Class C RV and I bring my KX3 along and various home brew antennas. I was using a 5AH SLA battery which was finally losing its capacity. I recently purchased a 6 AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery from Bioenno Power in California. It looks like it is going to be a winner.
Yes, I too have a 9 AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery from Bioenno Power. It far exceeds my expectations. I recently rode my bicycle from Oregon to Massachusetts and never once ran it down to where I was anywhere near out of power. You can see the blog about that adventure at: xcbiketrip.com/index.php/welcome/
Learned so much thank you
Great starter! Looking forward to trying some of these ideas on the trails.
+Jim Gunderman Let us know how it turned out. If you're on the air out there, let us know when and where, and maybe a call letter.
Dennis, met you hiking on the AT in VA in 2007. Nice video
Pat. WE2A
+Patrick Mooney Yes Pat, we met pre-six-artery-heart-bypass. I seem to recall you were hiking with an XYL?
I recall our short encounter on the trail. I hope your hike was as successful as mine. Sorry I didn't see the reply from long ago until just now.
Great stuff, thank you Dennis!
Wow, what inspiring video.
Informative and enjoyable. Thanks!
For those who are rusty with CW, just wondering why more have not thought about using a tablet computer (Windows 7 lightest eight possible) and a few other key components like MRP40 software, and a SIGNALINK USB (or other lightweight sound card) and W1GEE serial keying module. Wish there was a CW application on android or iPhone with a Bluetooth to keying circuit connection; but maybe some just use audio speaker output on the microphone connection for output keying; and microphone input for CW translation.
Computer programs and apps can only receive well if CW is transmitted by a computer or a very meticulous CW operator. Most CW operators are a bit sloppy with a hand operated CW key. You won't decode much with a computer but can receive it very well by ear. A human brain is billions of times more powerful than the most sophisticated modern computers. Use it.
well MRP40 may only be a start, but if we have applications like SHAZAM and SIRI and like ten others how far are we away from having a capable MORSE identification application? CONTEST folks are using MRP40. One graduate student away from making it work extremely well? Pure speculation, but with the various JT65 modes and more being full of users to take advantage of bandwidth, just am thinking that its good to go down the path of letting the computer do the work. Its not that its impossible to learn, but its more that people are flooded with too many things to learn.
I loved your altoid radio! (HK3IWL)
+Patricia Suarez Last summer, Jane, KA1FUN, and I hiked the Vermont Long Trail, 273 miles. They had all-time record rainfall and the radio started acting odd, I think all the connections in it are starting to corrode after many years out in the weather. It is still working, but thinks are starting to act a bit intermittent. I may retire it for my "museum." Currently I'm messing with an FT-817ND, but it may prove a bit heavy for the long distance hiking, we'll see. Check out the PFR-3 radio, it is essentially the Altoids radio, with a built in antenna tuner and batteries, nice package.
I'll check!!! Tks and 73's
will need to check out the PFR-3 radio. Thanks for the tip on something as the SOTA backpacking community pushes the development further. - N1KTJ
Thank you. I really enjoyed listening to your video. I am travelling from the UK to the Philippines soon and weight is my main concern. I passed my CW test many years ago and, I use SSB 90% of the time and Digi 10% the rest of the time. I have no option but to increase the weight of my equipment by taking my Yaesu FT817, a small tuner and a few wire antennas (and possibly a small roach pole?). I do have a Buddipole Deluxe but that is likely to push my aircraft Kg over the weight limit and that may incur charges £$. 73 de Bob, M0BOB.
+Robert Adlington (M0BOB) Let us know if you're on the air there, and when. It is always a weight vs. cost battle, isn't it?
How did the trip work out?
fantastic! thanks
yup you are right
I love play radio
I would have like to see it used and set up
See my recent bicycle trip from Oregon to Massachusetts for photos of the setup: xcbiketrip.com/index.php/welcome/
Sub'd. Thanks for sharing.
Yes that was us.
interesting. I very much expected an ft817 to be your final choice but when you mentioned elecraft I knew that wasn't to be.
what is the power output of the altoids radio ?
I love the Elecraft equipment, I just didn't have the funds for such a fine radio. I did end up with the FT-817ND. The Altoids radio depended on battery voltage, anywhere from 2 watts to 6 watts.
300 x 0 = 0. It's not cumulative.
What are you saying ? My Icom 7200 is too big for my back pack ?
+Ade Larsen Not at all, here's my QRO radio for backpacking: dennisrblanchard.com/photos/98-QRO-021.jpg
+Dennis Blanchard LOL
IC-7200 is not good enough. Get a FTDX-5000 and a bigger backpack.
sorry but what qrp rig did you say you carry? best regards Fernando G0VUF
I carried an ATS-3A, from KD1JV for most of the AT hike. On my bicycle adventures I have the FT-817ND. The Yaesu is just too heavy for long distance hiking, but okay for shorter hikes. For the first 600 miles of the AT I carried a homebrewed affair.
why r ham guys always old timey and out of date?
It is because we are the last of people who were taught to think and take on complicated projects :) I am a retired broadcast engineer. I know of no technicians who can do board level repairs who do not have grey hair. When we are gone, you will revert to the stone age because you will not be able to keep the lights on. Perhaps your robot factories can keep giving you SMD electronics. You best hope their computers never crash :) Look around, you see all those bridges, and airplanes, and buildings, those were built by engineers with slide rules because there were no calculators. Be very careful about "old timey and out of date" my friend. You don't have a clue!
HM Dickson Hopefully we won't because people like me want to learn from people like you. Take hope, there are still some of us who don't believe in the "plug and play" method.
HM Dickson, You sir are absolutely correct! Worst part I blame the U.S. education system completely for this breakdown of intelligence!vit is incredibly sad! I thank God I got into Amateur Radio when Elmers from the WWII generation were plentiful, those men made sure I was skilled with a soldering iron, and I will forever be thankful for them!
+HM Dickson well im a 15 year old extra that has made my own antenna cw keys because im learning cw i have replaced capacitor in tvs and am on the way to doing what the old timers used to do i currently have a knight r 100 a as far as an old radio just need the transmitter.
+david gierszewski Very good to hear a 15 year old having such interest in our wonderful hobby and service! There is absolutely no end to the fun that can be had exploring the many areas of interest in radio! The interesting people you will meet and friendships from all around the world will forever change your life! You my friend are in for an education that money cannot buy! I wish you a life time of adventure! Enjoy ham radio and never stop learning!