These images and ideas are literally "thrown together" as it's easier to put a few images on a web page and refer interested folk to that site rather than keep e-mailing them out.
The main HF portable transceiver is an Elecraft K2. This is fitted with an internal lead acid gel cell that doesn't do much for it's weight. For lighter weight, I also have an Elecraft K1.
When travelling, there is a big advantage in using light weight paddles. Those with a heavy metal base are ideal for use in the home shack, but packed in a box with a transceiver, or in a suitcase, that heavy lump of metal can move around causing damage both to the paddles and other items. The paddles shown above are Palm Mini Paddles in Elecraft Grey.
While it's often possible to use trees to fix antennas at a reasonable height, there are some places where that's not practical. Having heard good reports on the DK9SQ portable "fishing pole" mast, I bought one. This is well described elsewhere on the internet. I've used mine with an 80m dipole using quite thick wire (1mm area copper) and found with an antenna this heavy the highest point you can fix the centre insulator is 2 sections from the top of the mast. Recently I bought a 10m fishing pole mast from G3CWI ( http://www.qsl.net/g3cwi/ ) which cost less than 1/3 the price of a DK9SQ and is slightly longer (32' 5" - measured). I also have a surplus telescopic mast that once formed the upper sections of a pnumatic (pump up) mast, this mast can support both a 6m 2 element quad and a 2m 9 element Tonna portable yagi. It is reasonably quick and easy to deploy aided by a steel base with a vertical socket to mount the mast into, held down by parking a car wheel on it. |
