Looks like the RG174 has some pretty big losses at QRO power levels.  Just for comparison on 70cm 50 watts of input at 50 ft. of length yields a whopping 4.8 watts at the antenna???  On HF with a 100 watts of drive you loose 30 watts in a 50 ft. feed line??  Looks like the losses are acceptable running 5 watts of QRP.  Guess  I'll stick with some RG 8x for now.  Thanks for the recommendations.  Will be ordering a MFJ 464 Keyer/Decoder soon so maybe I'll catch some of you guys on CW.

With so many options available I was wondering what coax feedline everyone uses for portable operations?  My primary focus is weight, bulk and durability.  Lets hear your suggestion and why.


*Needs to be compatible with RF SO239 connections (without adaptors)


*Minimal losses on HF and VHF. some losses on UHF are acceptable.


*Rated for 100 watts max ssb.


*Overall Length approx. 40'-50'

The problem with Wolphi is its limited programming apps.  I have not found a way to send emails with it.  If anyone has please provide a link.  I ended up also buying a signalink to run winlink to actually do what I wanted.
  The wolphi is great for running old outdated digital modes, thats it.

I've made a few contacts on 160m at night.  Not as many stations on 160 probably due to antenna restrictions via limited space.  Most definitely going to need a long antenna (bulky) or include a 10:1 tuner in your portable kit (bulky).  I think for those reasons alone it will never gain popularity.

Quote from: vwflyer on June 20, 2018, 12:19:01 AM

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This thread got me thinking though, when was the last time I even heard a QRP station?

Do you do much CW? I'm in the El Paso area and I have regular QSOs with QRPers on CW. I'd estimate that ¼ - ⅓ of my CW QSOs are with someone running QRP.

I was referring to QRP on SSB, I don't do any CW yet but it is on my serious to do list this coming off season (HVAC Contractor).  I will probably go ahead and get MRP40 just to play around until I can become proficient with CW.  The digital modes such as FT-8 are neat for testing antennas but I really don't see them being useful as much as CW in SHTF.

Personally I would love to see a 30-50 watt variant of the FT-857d.  If I can't make it with 50 watts its probably not happening.  On the contrary there have been numerous occasions where 5-10 watts would not make the trip but 20-30 worked just fine.  The 817 is a fine rig and I'm sure I will get one eventually but just not in the doldrums of this solar cycle.

As you can see with Julian's videos there are many great power options for QRO rigs in the field.  A 7-10Ah LiFePO4 battery and 30-50 watts of solar is more than enough.  I used this combination on Dry Tortugas Island for 4 days.  That's what I'll be running on field day.  Most shtf situations I can dream of are going to be more listening than anything else, maybe a quick wellness check to family.  I seriously doubt I will be running around performing comms ops like some guys plan.  More than likely it will be if and when its time to move to a new location.

This thread got me thinking though, when was the last time I even heard a QRP station?  Maybe its just my area?  Here in Texas, we're about 800 miles wide and tall which is about 1200km both ways.  European DX contacts are still regional where I live.  Its all about perspective I guess...

Doesn't do you any good how long the battery lasts if you can't  make a contact, complete a relay etc....I'll take 650mah draw with 20 times the output any day of the week.  The key to running portable qro is simple, use enough power when necessary to complete the contact.

Congrats on the contacts just remember you can qrp a qro rig but you can't qro a qrp rig.  One can always qrp after getting through a pile up.

Lots of good deals to be had on used Icom 706MKIIG shack in a box.  Lots being sold for $400-$500 range.  All band all mode HF, VHF, UHF rig.  The only caveat is the finals are no longer available from what I understand so extra caution should be used to avoid damaging them.  A cross needle swr meter would accomplish this.  I prefer the Yaesu FT857d shack in the box rig.  I would not get a qrp rig as a beginner and certainly not a fidgety antenna system like a mag loop.  The bands are in bad shape and a qrp will only leave beginner frustrated.  A chameleon cha micro with the 60' wire and counter poise will get you on hf and give you the flexibility you to adjust for your needs down the road.  Hope this helps and please keep us posted with what you decide to purchase.

With a max output of 4 watts its not going to consume much power on transmit either.  In reality you can get by with a much smaller battery maybe 10-15ah and 20-30 watts of solar.  I like your idea of adding a small inverter and would suggest a aa/aaa battery charger also.  I like the Powerex Maha MH-C401FS model simple and effective.  If the power goes out it will be very important to have batteries for flashlights.   

12 hr charge time will take two full days with full sun and no use of the power source.  With a 40ah battery I wouldn't go less than 60 watts maybe 100 if its in the budget.  I really try to size my solar large enough to run the critical components of my station while receiving including a few hours of after dark operations.  My commo plan calls for check-ins at 12 noon, 4pm, 8pm, 12 midnight, 4am, 8am and again at 12noon.  Basically every 4hrs.  Two bands, primary for 30 min then secondary for 30 min.  You get the idea.

If money is no object I'd get (3) Power Film 12 watt panels and a genasun controller.


vs.


Budget get a 40 watt Suakoi off ebay and a morning star sun guard controller.

My experience with 160 meters is fairly limited.  I was able to make a couple contacts with  group of guys from Louisiana and Arkansas one night.  The antenna is a 135 foot OCF dipole with FT-897 and matching LDG external tuner.  The same antenna will not tune up on any of my internal tuners.  Might help that the antenna is 60-70 foot up for better swr.  It may be extremely stable as a band but it won't do any good if nobody is there.

Quote from: myascape on September 02, 2017, 12:26:31 AM
I have a newbie question. What is a good handheld or mobile set to pick up 3.818?

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

The Kenwood TH-F6A will pick up 80 meters on the internal bar antenna however an external antenna is much better.