[FARC] Introduction and mobile operation question

[David Kindred]

Hello, everyone,

Since I'm brand new to FARC I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is
David (KB3NAI), we have 3 sons (10 - 13) and live in Kemptown in the
southern tip of the county. I've had my ticket for a couple of years,
but I'm a really inexperienced ham, having only been having fun with
APRS and chatting a bit on 2m during that time. My equipment is limited
to a D700 and a VX-150 HT. I don't know any local hams, other than
having an acquaintance with the very cool Joe (NE3R), and didn't know
any hams growing up, so the full scope of amateur radio is still a bit
of an unknown to me. I'm hoping that my membership in FARC will cure my
ignorance and give me the chance to make some more friends. I'm also
hoping to perhaps find an Elmer!

Our family is planning a camping trip to the upper midwest over the
summer. I thought it would be an awful lot of fun to set up a radio and
communicate from "the wilderness" (actually campgrounds with showers)
with a friend in Boston during that time. My funds are somewhat limited,
so forking out $500+ for equipment, unfortunately, doesn't appear an
option for me. The QRP project outlined in our most recent QST looked
intriguing. It only works on 40m. Do you think it likely that 5w could
make it from, say, WI to Boston on 40m for PSK31? If not, do you have
any suggestions for what would make for a reasonably-priced mobile HF
setup? 

Thank you all!

73,

--David, KB3NAI