Category Archives: Equipment

April 18, 2013
1:02 pm
by: k0mos

On 40m at last… (Part I)

Using a Buddipole antenna (BP) for my SOTA activations leaves me high and dry when it comes to the 40 m band. I was never able to build an efficient BP for these frequencies and received many ‘complaints’ that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Antenna, Equipment Tagged , , , ,

September 5, 2012
8:23 pm
by: k0mos

Solar Powered Ham Shack

Finally everything fell in place… my shack is running on solar power only. An idea/project I have been pursuing for years but the circumstances were never perfect… until this July. Last fall, a hailstorm took care of the roof and … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Solar Power

April 21, 2012
5:15 pm
by: k0mos

KX3 for SOTA?: A Rebuttal

After reading KDØBIK’s blog post comparing the new KX3 with the FT-817 under the aspect of using it for Summits on The Air (SOTA), I felt I have to defend ‘my’ little radio a bit. No doubt, the KX3 is … Continue reading →

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April 5, 2012
9:44 pm
by: k0mos

Ultra-lightweight 2m Yagi for SOTA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPGmad2MMWM”

I am always carrying my HT (Yaesu VX-7R) as a backup on my SOTA activations. It saved my butt on two occasions when high winds prevented me from setting up my vertical Buddipole. Since high winds are not unusual at … Continue reading →

Posted in Antenna, Equipment Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

July 18, 2011
2:52 pm
by: k0mos

My solar setup for Yaesu FT-817ND

I received quite a few inquiries regarding the solar setup I am using for my SOTA activations. I hope I answered all of them in this short video. If not, please fell free to add questions/comments via Youtube

Posted in Solar Power

July 6, 2011
1:48 pm
by: k0mos

My Radio Equipment

My requirements are simple… small, capable (all bands/all modes) and lightweight with a large fun-factor. Radio: Yaesu FT-817ND (with all the standard parts) Antenna: Buddipole (highly portable VHF/HF dipole antenna system) Power: Internal FNB-85 Ni-MH Battery Pack (1400 mAh @ … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Radio