Hi Mike,
I gave a look into your gear evaluation, and I think there is way to make it lighter.
Radio gear:
it is extrange your are getting that low power. Is your Kx1 properly aligned?
- I would recommend to move from AA cells into Lipo. You get rid of the AA container box. The weight/power balance is in favor ot Lipo, I would say.
- To be able to ensure a succesful activation and keep the weigh low, I would go for a MTR radio. It covers 40-30-20 m bands and power is increased to full 5w. Weigh and current drain is so low with it! And the cost if affordable. (I’m not linked to LNR in any way…)
Store – LNR Precision Inc - Coax, not necessary for Kx1.For 817 use RG-58 or RG-174 better. Optimize a short run of it instead a long one.
- Antenna: a tuned antenna will make the use of tuners redundant. An end fed with proper feeder?
- Antenna wire: a lighter one, you don’t need big section of wire for QRP.
- 817 container: if you go with your 817 forget about the waterproof box: instead make your rucksack watertight with a rain cover and light zip plastic bags for the 817… I operate mine without taking it our the rucksack.:
Release of my '817 Comm-pack' - #4 by EA2BD
Pack:
I see you have almost everything there!!
But you could do some changes:
- Rucksack:move to a lighter and robust one with technical fabric, instead of cotton (that is what I believe you have).
- Seat: move to a piece of sleeping pad cut out of a regular foam one. Weights nothing instead of the leather you have.
- Water bottles: move to a cheap & regular plastic bottles and forget about alu or stiff plastic and the military canteen.
- Compass: change it into a lighter one withour all that metal
- Logbook: carry a few number of sheets instead and something to stick them to: a small clipboard (A5 size…), You are not going to use a whole notebook in an activation trek.
Well, a lot to think, if you want to make some changes,IMHO…
73 de Ignacio