I'm really looking forward to getting mine!

A couple of buddies just got theirs and seem to love it. I actually had a QSO with one of them on 20m yesterday and his audio was outstanding. He was running a bit of compression, but just the right amount that would make a difference in a 1 s-unit noise situation. That alone makes a difference since the FT-817ND doesn't have compression.

I've yet to sit in front of one, but I will be using one soon on a SOTA 3 day weekend trip up a peak in New York with a few other hams. We will be sleeping in the bush for those days putting battery life, solar and all its capabilities to the test. More information on that in the next couple days on QRZ.com.

Many are right about not needing a $1500. QRP rig to enjoy. It all the features and gimmicks new'er radios have are luxuries at this point. For decades hams have been running QRP with ancient technology and did the job fine so no one should ever get discouraged. I bet that weekend SOTA trip between the FT-817ND and KX3 I'll still be able to hear and make the same contacts any other of the operators will. Maybe with a bit more noise, but we'll see and compare. You know there'll be a vid on it on my YouTube channel.

At this point I know the KX3 is a superior radio, but still doesn't have 2m and 440. I know that's gonna change, but something's gotta give. We all know that so let's see what their gonna give up for that. For it to be worthy it's gotta be an internal module. I bet if you took the 2m/440 out of the likes of an FT-817 how much better the HF side would be.

Lets see!

73! 

The questions stems from a video I watched that was a side by side comparison of its receivers. The FT817ND would win in some cases and the KX3 of course had an edge at times on CW.

After watching that video I asked this question. Still confused??

If you have a up to date SDR radio and it can not have clear dominance in all aspects from a 12 year old radio.....what gives?

After reading Don Sr.'s - wa2Tpp review of the KX3 knowing he owns both of them and respect his opinions of course I have a different out look on it.

Although I'm still waiting for some one else who "has both" to do an extensive side by side comparison video to refute the existing video and prove it wrong.

Still waiting!

Government must be putting a drop of "Stupid" in food and drinks.

Today you'll find tons of idiots out there that makes you wonder what the Hell is going on.


73 and Good Luck!

I agree with Floyd!

My choice owning both would be the IC-781 for numerous reasons, but if I'm understanding your question about the 2khz splatter from adjacent stations I'll tell you this.

My IC-781 did very well and as good as any radio in filtering stations that close to my QSO. "No" radio in the market other than maybe an SDR radio like a Flex 5000 will do the job in eliminating that close of a station.

Hope this helped and 73.

W4kyr,

Makes great points!

Very disappointing!

That's a good question Jason,

I refuse to allow pig headed narcissist to plague this hobby with crap nonsense attitudes. Unfortunately the attitudes are coming from Nets more than individuals. The attitude of monopolizing a frequency is becoming ever more of a problem today.

The courteous act of waiting till a QSO is over with or breaking in respectfully to inquire if a two person QSO would consider QSY'ing is almost gone. This was the right thing to do at one time. Now they think they own a frequency on that day/night and time. No one owns a frequency at all not will ever. A single op calling CQ is usually the victim!

The group of people that go along with it are the brainless type that are selfish and can't hold an intelligent QSO because they have insecurity issues. They rather just wait 15 minutes for their turn to give a one minutes weather report and "dahhhhh" type dribble.

The once OO's that would help enforce good prosperity are almost gone and FCC has nothing to do with the courteous aspect of the hobby.

It is the responsibility if we as a whole in order to preserve the good nature and intelligence aspect of the hobby to say something when you hear something negative being done. Even if you've been with a NET group for a while or not.

One should not have to fear retribution from another ham or group. You have a whole world at the PTT button to associate yourself with better people. Break in when you hear a NET controller ,or individual doing the wrong thing and say something. You don't have to be belligerent about it but be sensible and mature about your opinion.

Be the one to set the good example and it will follow you!

73!

Hello guys!

I left a message on the other Youth Net post.

73,
N2RRA

Hi guys!

If you guys need some help I'm willing to lend a hand if you guys want. I'm an adult but I can lend some guidance until you eventually work out all the details and practical know how. I applaud you guys trying to start this Youth Net venture and I know you guys can do it.

Just a suggestion!

Maybe you guys want to think about organizing a practice run on an echo link node so you can all hear one another with out propagation issues on HF. Adding all the variables from an HF band could be more difficult. Once you work out how to coordinate it and figure out the type of process you want to take then you can continue it on the same echo link, or IRLP nodes and move it down to the HF bands. This could be done on the same nights, days or separate if you like.

If you guys would like to do this I can help you organize and coordinate your Net controllers strategically. Then teach you how to handle various situations you will encounter on the HF bands.

My information is good on QRZ.com if you want to contact me.

I'll leave you guys to organizing and wish you a lot of luck. I would love to hear your Net one day real soon firing up the HF bands.

73,
Eric
N2RRA

 

Exactly Right!!

I mess around building and experimenting ,but when I wanna get on the air to test it and this sought of thing happens where I finally get a clear frequency after waiting so long it'll piss someone off to high heaven when some idiot impedes on my opportunity.

Ah Ah!!

73!

Problem with that and everything else today in society is fear of confronting situations like this as if it's gonna go away or is the answer.

It's just like the problem we have in schools bullying ,but ignoring that isn't stopping kids ,or people from killing themselves and others. So we confront the problem so there could be a solution and that's why I'm posting this.

The usual response is.....just spin the VFO, but since that's become the norm so has jack ass attitudes like what is displayed on the bands. Just like those who won't confront the issue of our "Constitutional Rights" being stripped by government which too is becoming increasingly worse. All because it's easier to ignore the problems!

In similarity the "Gentlemen Band Plan Agreement" is something that's being ignored and is one of the only reasons that has separated our selves from the Citizens Band radio spectrum. If you ignore it then you've let those morons win and the laughs on you. Then it would be too late to turns things around.

Now people might say "well, that's freedom of speech" to say what you want on the air ,or act like a bunch of ass's. That's all well in fine ,but that doesn't mean we have to act uncivil, immature, and uneducated with a ghetto attitude you find else where. We also can no longer separate ourselves from C.B. ,or anything else in society to claiming what we have for over 100 years as "Ambassadors of Good Will To Others". This is what people respect about the hobby and is why I became a ham. Not to try to be some bad ass and advocate the exact opposite.

All I'm saying is I'd wish more people would speak their mind and support the operator that's being harassed and not treated fairly by a NET group ,or individual that does the wrong thing.

I've already placed a video on YouTube of one LID that jammed me on a QSO and I have no regrets ,because he'll think twice about doing that to anyone again.

By the time I got back to the states the video was the talk of the Tri-State all over the repeaters and on HF. Yes! It was a New York guy that I caught on video and had no problem if he wanted to pay me a visit. Turned out that he had a history of doing  this to others, but no one said anything to him. people that knew him had no choice ,but to agree with the video facts and was shamed by his own actions. I think the shame taught him a lesson and he'll think twice before disrespecting others and himself.

73!

Thanks for that link!

That's what I'm trying to build as well. Still good to pick everyone's brain cause there's so many different companies making folding panels that maybe there's a difference in performance and quality.

Gonna email him!

Here's a question for you all that I ask with frustration!

This isn't gonna be anything new ,but it's evident the problem persists and seems to get worse with every old and middle aged toad that seems to rebel to the "Amateur Code of Conduct" as if he's looking to turn into the prince everyone loves, or HATES to love.

I was listening to 40 meters the other day looking to connect to a friend. He was already in QSO with someone so as I waited my turn to jump in when we were RUDELY interrupted by an individual that quickly turned into a group circus of monkeys playing monkey do. This isn't the first time for this one particularly operator as he's notorious for such a narcissistic and immature selfish behavior.

So here's the questions!

What would you do if you were enjoying a frequency lets say on 40 meters early evening running 1300 watts and a loop sure that all can hear you for 500+ miles away when some JERK and his NET JACK ASS'S decide their gonna take over just by keying up and starting a QSO hoping you just leave like some red headed step child?


When you usually pay no mind just to be the mature one and spin the VFO thinking "remember the days when hams courteously broke in and asked if......" instead of having to tell them to bug off and fight for a frequency that you rightfully had before them do you stand your ground and video the typical common LID attitude of net groups and blast their call signs and actions all over YouTube?


What say you!


 

WA2TPU,

The panels are expensive but as you well know they are for traveling with. If anything were to happen it's a must to have in your "go bag". Can't take panels like the one KB1GMX has on his home. The focus is all though on travel QRP.


KQ6Q,

Looked up the panels you purchased! I was looking at the Sunlinq 4 folding panels which is only a 12watt. 1000ma.

I know more wattage and that extra amp helps but isn't wattage based on charge time?

Basically I'm looking for a folding panel proven to charge in the lowest sunlight possible and not only charge the internal W4RT battery constantly at a rate of speed that it would be all I need. Not excluding if I use the 12v 7ah LiFe Po battery it charges also at a rate of speed to keep operational.

Does anyone know of any U.S.A. solar power company that make folding panels?

Thanks!
N2RRA

Kb1GMX,

Clearly you are the man I want to take a page out of your book when I'm ready to place solar panels on my cabin and home, but as the others caught on I looking for folding panels for travel. We'll talk soon!

K8AG,

Like to know if you can school me a bit how that works and if you can email a schematic in case I have an issue with paticular choice of panel?

Thanks!
N2RRA

I'm curious to hear from owners than actually own solar panels and put them to use. My thread is focused specially on foldable compact solar panels and not stationary solar panels to narrow down the topic.

All though I appreciate suggestions those with out experience in the field of actually putting to use these types of products really are going by hypotheticals and technical data that I can figure for myself which is not the issue. I really would like to hear real world claims of worthy products that actually work well and last the rugged abuse that comes along with traveling and putting to use these folding panels in the field.

The solar panels focus is to charge SLA and LifePo battery's even while still operating a device like a transceiver, laptop, or any other device like them.

I'd like to hear about charge rate times with and without operating the devices to the type of solar cels used and how each type seems to react to different levels of sun light exposure. Of course as I said before the durability of the solar panels casing, connections and panels themselves.

Thank you for reading and hope to get some good feed back.

73!
N2RRA