[Elecraft] QRP rig for backkpacking

[Morrow, Michael A.]

From: phoon.usinet=20

> ... I'd be better off with a bit more weight and
> the 4 band capability of the K1.

I believe the K1-4/KAT1 is probably the best choice for a multi-band =
backpack rig that's ever been available.  I prefer a 10-AA cell external =
battery pack, with the new 2000 mA-H cells, over an internal battery =
pack.  I can't think of a rig with a greater feature/volume or =
feature/mass ratio.  Certainly it beats the FT-817 in weight, =
performance, and power consumption by a long shot.  If I want a portable =
general coverage receiver too, I take my Sony ICF-7600G with a small =
external 6 vdc SLA battery, and still wind up carrying less total radio =
weight than a FT-817 setup would require.

I ordered a K1 about five months before the first ones shipped.  Having =
to build it myself was **not** a selling point for me.  I've built radio =
stuff for almost 40 years, but the appeal nowadays of stuffing =
components on a PCB for hours and hours has diminished (for me).  I =
liked the advertised features K1 so much that I'd have preferably =
ordered it assembled had that option been available.  It's hard to go =
wrong with a K1.

On the other hand, when I need only a **mono-band** set for a hike, I =
really like the Small Wonder Labs DSW-series of mono-band rigs.  They =
are currently out of production, but they supposedly will return in =
modified form in the not-to-distant future.  I have a 20m dipole just =
for my DSW-20 that is close enough an impedance match that I don't need =
a tuner.  The DSW-series has direct digital synthesis of the oscillator =
frequencies, so it can cover the entire band in 200 or 50 Hz steps, with =
essentially no frequency drift as temperature changes around the rig.  =
It's about 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches in size.  It sure makes a compact and =
light-weight station.  The **only** thing I don't like about it is that =
the built-in iambic keyer is mode B only.  (I really really really hate =
mode B.  It's such a relief to return to the K1 with its selectable mode =
A keyer.)

I've played around with portable HF antennas for 30 years, tried all =
types nearly, and settled on a resonant dipole as the type that has =
always given consistently good performance.  Plus, no ground is =
required.  If I can find a way to suspend a dipole at least six or more =
feet above ground, I've always had good results.  Dipoles are compact =
and light, even if you don't use RG-174/U coax.  (I use RG-58/U.)  =
Verticals **always** gave me the worst results.

73,
Mike / KK5F