In reply to G3NYY:
Tee hee! Well, I normally carry my 3.3 AH SLAB in my rucksack. It
weighs just 3 pounds and is good for at least two intensive HF CW
activations of a couple of hours each, running the FT-817 at 5 watts
output. I never run more than 5 watts on HF when portable.
I try and keep the power to about 10 Watts on HF, using the 10m fishing pole antenna. Good antenna on HF, but a bit heavy to carry any distance. Certainly wouldn’t like to lug it up anything more difficult than my second home,
G/SP-004.
I do have a 9 AH SLAB (which is an upgraded 7 AH one), but it’s
significantly heavier and not necessary unless I plan to do a
particularly long activation or perhaps run the 30 watt amplifier on
2m.
Since the demise of my 20Ah SLAB, I’ve been carrying a 12Ah and a 9Ah in the rucksack. Should have a replacement on Thursday.
I have never felt the need for any more power on HF CW, but I do often
find 5 watts is not quite enough on VHF/UHF - especially on FM,
I know a SOTA Beam is the best way to go for /P, however, I’m to lazy to keep turning it, so I’ve been taking an X-300 Collinear /P. A bit of a pain to carry and put up, however I’m very pleased with the results running just 5 or 6 Watts, although the SOTA Beam would undoubtedly murder it in a contest.
and
VERY especially on 4m FM where a lot of people use very deaf
receivers!
Spoke to my brother in Tokyo today. The bank his xyl works for are relocating them to Hong Kong for a couple of years. Just as well really, he’s getting sick of paying £8 for a pint of Lager
They’re off to Beijing in a couple of weeks time, so I’ve asked him to pick up a 4m Wouxun handy while he’s there.
BTW, do you know if G4SDW has received his “R” NoV? :-))))
73
Mike 2E0YYY