Advice on Beginner HF Equipment (Part 1)

Equipment
6

Hi Robert,
as others have said, you will no doubt get lots of different answers, so I think you need to define your “Scope of requirements”. From what you have said, I would list as follows:

Given the remote location and barren terrain, presuming SSB operation (CW/digital you can get away with a 5w radio, but 20w is better anyway),

  1. Self supporting antenna system. Ideally resonant or tunable.
  2. A sturdy, at least 20w output radio (either natively 20w or QRP plus amp or even 100w radio turned down).
  3. Battery to power number item 2. But not too heavy
  4. If the chosen radio does not have a built-in ATU and the chosen antenna is not resonant or self-tunable, an external ATU (auto or manual).
  5. Some way to spot yourself to alert chasers so that you can get contacts - if you are out of range of cell towers look at SOTAMÄT which uses FT8 to send spots or even emergency (pre-defined) email or SMS messages.

It goes without saying, that you need the safety equipment and suitable outdoors clothes, shoes, walking equipment (e.g walking poles) and food, water and possibly shelter items - although if you have already activated on 2m using your HT, I presume you have all that. Depending upon where you are going an ePurb emergency beacon and/or satellite phone for emergencies would be a wise addition as well.

My suggestion:

  1. Komunica Power HF-PRO2-PLUS-T loaded adjustable HF whip antenna along with their lightweight support tripod and radial wires. Or you can build the tripod yourself from a photo tripod. Chinese copies of this Spanish designed antenna are available under other names through US outlets.
  2. Xiegu G90 Radio.
  3. 4AH (larger if you can carry the weight) 12V LifePO4 battery.
  4. Not needed, the G90 has one of the best ATUs around built-in. Otherwise take a look at the ATU-100.
  5. If in cell range, you can use your phone’s browser (Android or Apple) to access the Sotawatch3 webpage - it auto-adjusts to your phone’s screen size (or there are a multitude of Apps for spotting, logging etc). If out of range of cell coverage - SOTAMÄT.

Have fun! but above all - take care!

73 Ed DD5LP

P.S. GREAT calll by the way, it almost spells ALASKA !

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