Backpacking with a rig - MobileHam Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : MobileHam : Backpacking with a rig

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Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by KC7HBP on December 5, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
I have been a ham for a while (although not serious) and have just picked up another hobby, backpacking. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions to a HT that is light but has a long battery life. Part of my backpacking will be taking me into deep valeys, should I get a HT with 6M capabilities so I can get out of the hole? I figured having a radio would be a good idea when out on a 7 day trip... :) I am a Tech. so a HF rig won't do me any good.

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by KL7IPV on December 5, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Au contraire......as a tech can't you can get on 10 meters voice? If you plan on upgrading to get to HF it wouldn't be unreasonable to get a suitable HF rig now. Christmas is close too! Look at FT-100 or IC-706 for a nifty backpacker rig or the FT-817 made specifically for backpacking. Look at my article (shamelessly self serving) at: http://www.eham.net/articles/2291 Good luck . 73 Frank KL7IPV

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by KL7IPV on December 5, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Au contraire......as a tech can't you can get on 10 meters voice? If you plan on upgrading to get to HF it wouldn't be unreasonable to get a suitable HF rig now. Christmas is close too! Look at FT-100 or IC-706 for a nifty backpacker rig or the FT-817 made specifically for backpacking. Look at my article (shamelessly self serving) at: http://www.eham.net/articles/2291 Good luck . 73 Frank KL7IPV

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by KC7HBP on December 5, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Those look like some nice rigs, but "just a little" out of my price range. I am looking for something under $300 (and preferably under $200). I guess I had forgotten about the 10M voice. I will have to look into that. Thanks.

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by AA8LL on December 6, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
I think you'd better check those tech bands again. You need the 5 wpm code for 10-meter voice. Sorry. You'll probably need a 144/440 dual bander with a satellite antenna to get out of a hole. ...or are you a tech+ with the 5 wpm code? I think you'll have fun with something like an FT-817 but you ought to study for you general license. It's not that hard and it's well worth it. 73, Wade

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by INITZERO on December 6, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Are you familar with ARPS? If you're heavy into backpacking, you probably already have a GPS. That GPS plus a radio that will support APRS will get you some really neat features. For one, it will allow non-hams to track your progress on the internet (to the accuracy of your GPS) assuming that you can hit a digipeater from the trail. Though it's a bit out of your price range at $400, you might want to check out the Kenwood D7AG... http://www.kenwood.net/products/index.cfm?AMA=open&ama_hheld=open&radio=TH-D7AG&selection=Amateur&ID=80 There's even a picture of a hiker on the brochure! http://216.133.235.165/Amateur/Current_Brochures/TH-D7A.PDF The D7 a 5-watt dual-band HT that will interface with your GPS. Not only will it do normal HT stuff, it has a built-in TNC that allows you to do the cool ARPS stuff such as uploading your GPS position to the outside world and sending short text messages. As another noted, with a portable beam (check out the Arrow II... http://hometown.aol.com/Arrow146/146-437.html) or even a good HT antenna or roll-up j-poll, you might even be able to work some satellites. It all depends on how much you like ham radio compared to backpacking. I've found that a 70%/30% mix works just fine between bicycle touring and ham radio. Any more than 30% and I find my radio equipment out-weights my bike and other folk so the road start to make fun of me. Matt (k4mls)

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by KC7HBP on December 7, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks for all the comments. The Kenwood TH-D7AG certanly looks like a good one. I have been looking around and found the Icom IC-T81A, which has 6m/2m/70cm/23cm, and the Yaesu VX-5R which has 6m/2m/70cm. I know the 6m band doesn't have the propogation of 10m, it still can to some degree. Has anyone used these, and do you know if it would be an acceptable choice. I'm not planning on using it a lot while backpacking, just occaionaly while on the top of a mountian or during emergencies. Matt KC7HBP

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by W7DJM on December 8, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
The other thing you can do, is build yourself a small wire antenna using some light coax for the vx-5. I wouldn't count on too much help on 6m, unless there is a lot of local activity in your area. J-poles, coax verticals, light quads and yagis, are all over the internet, and some good easy to build designs.

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by KL7IPV on December 9, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Don't forget the new Kenwood that does 2 meters, 220 and 440 Mhz. It is the only one I know of that does those three. Pryme does make a 220 HT. If I had a choice to make now (I have the VX-5R) I would go to the Kenwood since it covers so much in receive in all modes and the VX-5R is only AM and FM. No SSB or CW as I understand the Kenwood will do. Which also means no SSB on 6 or 2 either on the VX-5R. Good luck 73 Frank KL7IPV

RE: Backpacking with a rig	Reply
by G4AON on December 9, 2001	Mail this to a friend!
Have you seen the Adventure Radio web site? http://www.natworld.com/ars/ Backpacking on HF is quite good, VHF/UHF depends on how remote you are! Beware that many rigs aren't at all efficient, some HF rigs draw 2 amps on receive! There are transceivers that draw well under 100 mA on receive (the Elecraft K1 HF CW transceiver draws around 58 mA on RX, 750 mA at 5 W TX). The ARS have lots of information on the subject, ranging from reviews of transceivers (HF bias), what antennas to use and even what non radio kit to take. Have fun... Dave

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