[Rover] Choice of Rover Vehicles

[rover@mailman.qth.net]

At the present time I use a Subaru Forrester. I run 6M through 47 GHz. It's a 
tight squeeze, but not uncomfortably so...

I designed the vehicle for essentially fixed operation. In other words I 
don't operate and drive.

The other critical choices for me were AWD, good hill climbing ability (up 
and DOWN!!) and overall height.

The Forrester climbs hills well. I have traveled up Mt Washington a lot and 
coming down is a breeze. Throw it in first and hardly ever touch the breaks.

The vehicle has 8 bands on two rotors mounted externally. The overall 
vertical clearance is 9 ft 6 inches. Perfect for getting up many of the mountain in 
this area...

Here's a list of on board equipment. Pics available on request.

6M 100 watts/loop
2M 150 watts/5 el + SSB preamp
222 120 watts/7 el + SSB preamp
432 150 watts/10 el + SSB preamp
903 50 watts/16.5 dBi
1296 80 watts/18 dBi + ICOM preamp
2304 15 watts/20 dBi
3456 25 watts/20 dBi
5760 12 watts/27.5 dBi (2' dish)
10 GHz 4.5 watts/27 dBd 0.5 meter dish
24 GHz +32.5 dBm/36 dBd 0.5 meter dish
47 GHz 150 uWatts (mixer only)/36 dBd 25 cm dish

Finally, this is not a dedicated vehicle. I have to use it to go to work each 
day. The Rover system can be mounted in about 4 hours...

73,
Mike, N1JEZ/R
In a former life, N1MJD/R
"And in the end, the claims you make are equal to the brains you bake." SSC