glad that you found this thread interesting. It would have been perfect for your long hike if you had planned some similar setup in your side. Maybe in the future? You need that battery then you’re ready. Doing more with less is always rewarding.
Barry, thanks for your idea, I would fully support it, like other nice events we have in the SOTA community, unless you have changed your mind.
I’m still working to improve my setup and reduce even more the weight… I’ll post any significant improvement.
VY 73 de Ignacio
I use the X1M - a small mobile multi bander multi mode - does cw and phone, and handles from most hf bands. It weighs only 400g and pumps out 5w. My problem is the battery. What battery can you get under 1Kg?
How about two of these in series, for a small, lightweight cheap solution (264g total):
If you want to stay with just one battery, while somewhat heavier and quite a bit more expensive (but will last longer), you could go with this LifePO battery (560 Grams):
I posted this earlier, but I think it got deleted due to my fumbling about.
I love the idea of the 1kg challenge. I give Colin M1BUU part of the credit for my inspiration because I’ve always been amazed at how good a signal he always seems to put out with such tiny equipment
I get even more excited by the idea of working others who are also using sub 1kg stations, S2S. In this scenario, I’m not so inspired by working QRO chasers. So my half-baked idea would be an event where sub 1kg activators would primarily be attempting to work each other S2S and perhaps also QRP chasers. This to me would be in the perfect spirit of SOTA. I don’t even know if this is feasible or if many folks would even agree with this.
When I think of it, besides the <1kg activator component of such an event, I do really like the idea of setting aside a Saturday or Sunday where all SOTA chasers must use QRP. How’s that for stirring up the pot?
When I was back in Australia, there was a couple of days where it was requested that all chasers used QRP (10w PEP SSB or 5w CW or digital) - it actually went quite well as a “novel” event. I’m happy to take the “after burners” off here if we want to arrange a similar European event. We could even make the amount of power been used part of the exchange, to see who can get really low (QRPp) levels to work. It’s all in the locaton and the antenna in any case - as proved by Karl M3FEH and other Foundation class licence chasers as they MUST run QRP - they have no choice!
When I was back in Australia, there was a couple of days where it was requested that all chasers used QRP (10w PEP SSB or 5w CW or digital) - it actually went quite well as a “novel” event. I’m happy to take the “after burners” off here if we want to arrange a similar European event. We could even make the amount of power been used part of the exchange, to see who can get really low (QRPp) levels to work.
I love the idea, but let’s make it a world-wide, not just European, event!
From my side world-wide would be fine - I was just thinking of time differences. I guess if we make it a weekend - i.e. two UTC days, that should work?
It is probably too late now, bt it would have been nice to co-ordinate this with World Radio Day, which is this coming Sunday - how about on the weekend nearest to the ITU World Telecommunications day - 17th May? By May it’ll be a little warmer for the activators in the Northern Hemisphere.
Nice idea, it would certainly create a buzz to work long distance QRP to QRP with minimalist stations.
I go along with Guru though, the small rig QRP CW operator seems to be a rare beast.
Barry, I’m not so sure that I do put out a good signal, it’s only stations with good ears (ESP) that can pick me out! I feel the need to get the RockMites out again, but then again, I’d like to do some more operating with the MTR-5B, it’s only been on the air about 3 or 4 times. I have built a five band dipole in coordinating orange to go with my rig, I just need an opportunity to tune the elements.
I also thought it might be fun to have a straight key operating event
So many ideas, so little time to put them in action! I have a corker of an idea for my Mountain Goat activation, but you’ll just have to wait and see
Hi all,
I agree with the idea of an event. I don’t think it’s worth for a challenge because not all activators meet the required minimalist setup though.
Definitely many of us are interested on having a special Worldwide HF QRP 1 kilo weekend (or day).
So we need to agree on date (May / June?). We should check not to mix with any relevant CW contest that date…
Then we could start planing the participants and encouraging others by offering ideas to prepare a setup to meet the weight target. Or we could create two categories for the event and add it to the exchange:
A) 1 kilo max
B) 3 kilo max (or something we agree that makes sense… this option for the FT817 or similar ops…)
We can keep ideas in this thread and once we have it more “baked” we launch a new thread to track participants and suggest some schedule to meet S2S.
I keep my ears open. Nice to find enthusiastic mates with this idea! 73 de Ignacio
I’m changing my suggestion on your suggestion of World QRP day, Dave - very relevant (more so than the ITU day) - Perhaps 17th. (Friday) and 18th (Saturday) June ?? Then we hit the actual day, but those who are working can still take part on the Saturday?
