Here's another one.. If you go to the beach with your QRP radio, should you have your counterpoise wire in the water?
Assuming you're using a vertical.

Gil.

QuoteI just landed some cash from selling my big rig, so plan to do more building and like you (Gil)  I am thinking of a small, mono-bander.

If you find a good one Ray, let me know.. Ten Tec maybe? The KX1 is tempting... I'm not sure I will keep my K2, though it is a great radio...

Gil.

QuoteThis forum is a cut above a few of the other prep sites I've seen so far.

Thank you very much. We'll try to keep it that way..
Don't hesitate to get the word out..

Gil.

Though if "crystal controlled rigs belong in the bin," I'd have to throw away three of them! I haven't tried my Rock-Mites yet, but they are neat little radios. What I'd like now is a mono-band tiny radio with a VFO... I hope Dave Benson will bring back his SW20..

Gil.

Hello,

QuoteDo you need 80 meter capability necessarily, or would 40 do it for you? HFPACK sort came up with the very old idea of using a 40 meter dipole, which he fed  with open wire line which allowed the dipole to work on 40, 30, 20, 15, 10 and 6.

I might try that... I don't have 130ft. But I could bend the ends.. I saw military fiberglass poles on Ebay, 12x4ft for $8. Shipping is $35, but that is also for two sets.. So, I would get 24 4ft lengths = 3x32ft. 2ft in the ground, that leaves me with three 30ft poles... Not very high, but better than nothing..
80m would be nice... 40 is what I really want most.

Gil.

It's a beauty:

Nah, no problem. It is an interesting question.. You could always staple chicken wire to your roof, but who wants to do that!? There is the corrosion problem too.. I guess the chicken wire would work on top of the ground.. If one had a big yard and could sacrifice some area.. Grass would grow through it.. Anyway, it brings it's whole new set of challenges. Not that radials aren't challenging as is...

I am going through the same problem here, not wanting a bunch of radials behind the house. I might have to.. I could have a diplole at 22ft or so, maybe 30 pushing it.. I'm thinking about this: http://www.radioworks.com/ccw80compact.htm
Or a 43ft. S9 vertical...

I need to finish my magnetic loop project first though...

Gil.

QuoteOK, that is very interesting Gil - I prefer a shack because I travel a lot for work...do you? Maybe there is an inverse relationship to where we spend the bulk our time?

That must be so.. Although I could travel, since I am a programmer and can work anywhere on my laptop, I usually don't. We;;, except for a bit cross-country trip last summer.. So, When I'm not working, I want to get out...

Gil.

Personally, I don't want a shack.. I want to operate portable. Somehow I prefer the idea of going somewhere else to use a radio. A field trip of sort. I spend enough time inside as it is. Sitting at a chair for hours isn't very appealing to me. I'd rather go to the beach or the woods and find the best way to set-up a station there. I'm cheap, I don't want to spend thousands on a tower, antennas, amps and whatnot. I need the exercise anyway..

Gil.

What about using chicken wire and carpet the ground with it around the vertical?

Gil.

Hi,

That's why I didn't try VHF yesterday, I wanted the "first QSO in Morse" bragging rights!  8)

Gil.

Well guys, I did it! My first QSO ever as a Ham was in Morse code. There was a contest going on on 40m, so it lasted less than a minute. My signal was picked up by F5IN in France! He replied with my call sign, I sent him my name, which he repeated. That's using 6W into a 66ft end-fed dipole strung around my house! I can't believe it, given the conditions..

Here is the guy's station, check out those antennas: http://f5in.pagesperso-orange.fr/cariboost2/

Gil.

Hello,

Sounds like 40m is a winner...Well, We'll see after I install my PAR end-fed soon. I haven't been able to successfully get a QSO going.. I tried a lot. The reverse beacon network does pick me up with 6W out, but with low signal. I use a 66ft end-fed strung around the house...

Gil.

Hi, maybe, I don't know. Of course the site says they're "special." I wouldn't personally rely on that only. I use metal boxes...

Gil.

Hi, for something like that, sure, great. For the Lone Ranger, not so much.

Gil.