Icom IC-705 with Comet HFJ-350M / LC-192 - QRP
Vložit
- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Here is another QSO using my Icom IC-705 with a Comet HFJ-350M mounted to the LC-192 backpack. I have been achieving great results with this setup. This QSO was on 40m with Aub, VK5QD at a distance of around 700 Km.
This QSO was with the standard included BP-272 battery at 5 watts.
PLEASE NOTE - this video was recorded in Whatsapp Messenger, and the app was locked in Portrait mode at the time. This is also why the resolution is low. If this bothers you, just move along :)
The IC-705 is a lot of fun and as you can see, it works great! :)
BRACKET INFORMATION: I'm using a commercially available trunk/boot lip mount. Here I'm using an RFI BK-900, which is the same as a Benelec 027303 mount. It is held on with a couple of cable ties only, and is rock solid. You could use almost any mobile trunk lip mount bracket that can be rotated 90°.
De VK3PT
I recently got the FT-818nd and having a blast with it, it's a lot of fun being able to have QSO on a whip.
I've been surprised how well I can get out with a whip antenna or a loop using the MFJ-9232 QRP loop tuner. You do need different size loops though.
My EFHW 49:1 does get out well, it's easier to make contacts on it even if it's only up 2-3 meters off the ground.
QRP is a lot of fun and it's really nice when Hams call out for QRP stations.
Very nice QSO quality considering the antenna evidently the counter poise makes a difference too ! Thanks for sharing this video and information. 73 de Steve AA4SH
I'm still cracking up.at how the other station was just in utter disbelief about your set-up. He's definitely going to be doing a deep dive on your setup! Hope he watches this video 👍🏿🙏🏾
Thanks for the video. It gives me hope. Brand new to Ham (Technician ticket on Jan 5 and passed the General yesterday) and I am still looking for my first contact other than VHF/UHF. I would be completely tickled with a 700 KM/430 mile QSO. And I have the same set up; an iCOM 705 with a HFC-350M, as well as a Wolf River Coil 1000. Tomorrow will be my first day out with it. 73 de KJ7TJA, currently in sunny Yuma, Arizona!
Congratulations on getting your ticket! The antenna is a compromise but it does work! The counterpoise is definitely a key component in making contacts with this (ignore the instruction sheet, do your own tuning for best results). The Wolf River coil is a great antenna - this will work "better" than the HFJ-350M but there are times when the little antenna will have its place too. Good luck and 73.
Fantastic video! Looking like I'll be picking one of these up once I get my license!
Have the 705 here and a variety of antennas already to test, wasnt so sure about the HFJ-350M having seen mixed reviews, but your video shows its about setup so am going to give it a try ! Thanks for sharing, this is a great video !
There are "better" antennas you can use, for sure - but not that do what this one does - such as allowing for full pedestrial mobile use.
It is a compromise but it does work, and the negative reviews are mostly due to operator error, and from people haven't really invested the time to use this antenna the way it was designed. (Ironically, the instructions it comes with are useless - throw them away and make your own adjustments :) Good luck and have fun!
@@vk3xpt Hiya VK3PT - my antenna mount for the LC-192 arrived today, i referenced your video as it was the one that inspired me to get it so i can put my Diamond antenna on it. Thanks again ! Alan / 2E0FWE - czcams.com/video/HoAJ1NpCf-U/video.html
Very nice! Also, Is that the Icom backpack?
I think the reason it’s working so well is you’re surrounded by a huge ground plane with your metal railing. Either that or the railing is interacting with the counterpoise.
No, I would say not really. While it might help a bit, I have made countless other contacts like this with the radio on my back (pedestrian moble), walking through the paddocks, with it sitting on a wooden park bench, with it at the beach, and in the concrete carpark at my work! It's a "compromise" but it definitely works very well for what it is.
@@vk3xpt ok very good. I’ve been mulling over what to get for a portable antenna for my 705. I want something easy to setup and deploy in the field as well as at home. I’ve heard so many mixed reviews on this antenna. I realize everything is going to be a compromise, I’m just trying to find my best bang for the $$.
The problem with reviews is you don’t know if they’re being compensated or not, so you don’t know if they’re being truthful.
@@truckinguy92 if I had to choose one antenna for this purpose, I would choose a magnetic loop. If I had a bit more room, I would choose an EFHW multiband wire. This whip would be 3rd on my list. All good. All different.
terrific job 73 and good luck from kb2uew
Hi Peter, just looked at your vid, very interesting, I have the 705 and recently purchased the comet Antenna and will have a play tomorrow with a 8m counterpoise to see if I can get a good SWR, it's a great radio and the comet antenna is pure Japanese quality!! 73 Alex M0KVA
Great video !! Glad your having fun with the new rig ! 73 Mike VE3MKX
My balcony gotta full of building in from of me. 😭. Got the same antena, gonna try a longer counterpoise and the trick about the whip extension.
Is that your property back there in the background? If so you have some awesome land man!
My HFJ-350M came with a Japanese Instruction manual. I bought the antenna from HRO.
English manual here-
www.dxstore.com/download/HFJ-350M_Manual.pdf
OM: When you made this video using the Comet HFJ-350M antenna, did you use an antenna tuner? If so, which antenna tuner do you use? Also, how long is the ground net you are pulling? How many lines are there? How (direction) are they placed?
No antenna tuner, The antenna is resonant. I am using one single counterpoise wire, about 8m long. It is in an L shape in this video, but would often just be dragging it along the ground in a straight line. It works well. 73
thanks for the video! this is just insanely cool!
best regards and more cool QSOs!
btw, how did you ground the antenna? sorry, i am a total ham radio beginner!
Just 8m of thin insulated trailing wire (counterpoise) attached to the antenna ground connection on the side of the radio.
Excellent video! I'm about to purchase the IC-705. I'm at a temporary QTH right now so the 705 would work great for me. With the Comet antenna, did you need to use a tuner (maybe in the backpack)? Thanks and 73 de WA3RSL
Poland welcome 🇵🇱 AWESOME 73 over
The akku battery is BP-272 or more in this video?
Yes, standard BP-272 @ 5 watts.
@@vk3xpt Great radio and your portable setup! 73 de R5CX from Moscow
how long is your counterpoise? im newbie on radio
8m long. It's always been a good all round length for working on multiple bands, I have found.
@@vk3xpt TU 73... Im getting ready for my first POTA in following days...
OM：當您使用 Comet HFJ-350M 天線製作此視頻時，您是否使用了天線調諧器？如果是這樣，您使用哪種天線調諧器？另外，你拉的地網有多長？有多少條線路？他們是如何放置（方向的）？
No antenna tuner, The antenna is resonant. I am using one single counterpoise wire, about 8m long. It is in an L shape in this video, but would often just be dragging it along the ground in a straight line. It works well. 73
@@vk3xpt OM TNX YU 73
Can you make a video on how you are mounting the antenna? I was thinking on3d printing a bracket and mounting it to the plastic plate. I wonder if you have tried it closer to the pack?
I'm using a commercially available trunk/boot lip mount. Here I'm using an RFI BK-900, which is the same as a Benelec 027303 mount. It is held on with a couple of cable ties only, and is rock solid. You could use almost any mobile trunk lip mount bracket that can be rotated 90°.
I would not recommend mounting the antenna any closer if you can help it, because it will pick up interference from the radios LCD screen.
I have posted details and photos on the Facebook "Icom IC-705" group.
73
Also, your 8m radial is less than a 1/4 wave length on 40m. How did you come up with 8m for the radial. Thanks and 73 de WA3RSL.
G'Day VK3PT - I've just sat my Foundation License exam and I reckon I might have even passed it, but still waiting to confirm that.
I'm looking at the Icom 705 as a first rig - since I'm limited to 10W PEP anyway.
Just wondering if you would recommend the 705 and the Comet antenna combination for a new Foundation level operator (who is interested in portable as well as static opertation) in Aussie conditions?
Obviously it can work well in experienced hands, but would like to know if you think a new operator could get good performance out of the combination.
I see you've given your "secrets" for this combination away in the other comments e.g. earth to the radio, counterpoise, very precise adjustment of the telescoping section.
The other radio I've been maybe thining about is the Yaesu 817/818 but half the power and no comparison in bells and whistles - but half the cost - still I'm leaning toward the 705, but I i'll need to make some compromises on antennaes to start with - so curious to know what you think.
Congratulations on what sounds like a successful pass. Good question. I have an FT817 and the 705. They are both great radios in their own way.
I do believe that the 705 would be an excellent radio for a foundation holder, especially if portable operation is of interest.
I probably would not recommend the Comet antenna though, at least not as your primary antenna. The comet is fantastic for pedestrian mobile and extreme portable use, but it's performance is significantly down on more efficient antennas. If you pair an IC 705 (or an 817/818) with a dipole, or a multiband and fed half wave antenna (efhw) you will have very good results on HF. I personally prefer efwh antenna for their simple deployment and very good performance on multiple bands. In general, no antenna tuner will be required either.
Whatever you choose you will have fun, but the 705 is all round and excellent radio.
73
I have the exact same configuration, but I can't get the SWR down. It is maxing out on every band. Any suggestions?
Run a ground wire between the ground screw on the rig, and the base of the antenna. Use an 8m counterpoise wire. Make the whip adjustments carefully - it is very high Q and will only be resonant on a very small "window"! (that is, millimetres of adjustment matter!) FYI - My whip only needs to be extended approximately 5 1/2 sections for resonance on 40m - it will NOT work fully extended. This adjustment is critical! My SWR can be adjusted to near 1.1:1 .
@@vk3xpt Thank you so much!!! That was the fix. Yes, I was assuming full extension, even though I now see that would not be a good design. TH antenna needs room to grow as the frequencies change. Thanks again. Your video has made me much happier about my purchases. The radio is fantastic.
@@robmccray6360 Have fun - I'm sure you will make many contacts with it :)
antenna name?
What is length of your counterpoise cable?
8m long.
Mate, how can you have any credibility when you take a video in portrait mode. Next time, take your videos in landscape mode. It is a very easy concept to understand!!!!
lol - my credibility is now destroyed. You are right. What was I thinking? I don't know if I will be able to forgive myself for this travesty. I hope you will be ok also. Good luck with your recovery OM. hihi
FYI - this was recorded in Whatsapp Messenger, and the app was locked in Portrait mode a the time. This is also why the resolution is low. I guess I could just not post any videos for you, I suppose?