My requirements are simple… small, capable (all bands/all modes if possible) and lightweight with a large fun-factor.
Radios:
- Yaesu FT-817ND (with 300 Hz Collins Mechanical CW Filter)
- Yaesu FT-857D (with all the standard parts)
- Yaesu VX-7R with Smiley 1/2 wave antenna
- Yaesu VX-8GR with MFJ-1717S
- Mountain Topper (17/20/30m) by Steve Weber/KD1JV with Palm Pico Paddle
- Lab599 Discovery TX-500
Antennas:
- VHF: Homebrew and lightweight 4-element Yagi-Uda / Smiley 1/2 wave antenna / MFJ-1717S / Homebrew half-wave J-Pole
- HF: Multiband Buddipole (highly portable VHF/HF dipole antenna system)
- HF: Homebrew multiband (10m-40m) linked EFHW with 64:1 transformer [FT82-43] supported by a 19ft carbon fiber mast
- HF: 40m & 20m: Homebrew RG174 based double Bazooka supported by a 30ft fiberglass mast
- HF: 12m/15m/17m/20m: Homebrew J-Pole supported by a 30ft fiberglass mast
Power:
- Internal FNB-85 Ni-MH Battery Pack (1400 mAh @ 9.6V) [FT-817]
- External ENERGIZER XP8000
- Foldable Solarpanel Powerfilm F15-600 (0.6A@15.4V)
- LiFePo4 4S config (4200 mAh @13.2V)
- LiFePo4 3S config (2300 mAh @ 9.9V)
- LiPo 4S config (2300 mAh @ 16.8V)
Video (answers to inquiries I received):
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