I'm going to be living in Ghana (9G) for some time, and want to get on the air - not looking to be a major contester, just for fun. I will have a house on a corner lot with a good size lawn, and will also have a Ford Expedition for mobile operation. I don't think there are any VHF/UHF repeaters here. I'm a long time ham with a preference for CW (with QSK) and digital modes, but haven't been on lately and am not too familiar with current equipment.
1. I am looking at two small rigs, the Yaesu FT100D and the Icom IC706MkIIG. Price differences are not very important to me. What comparisons or experiences do you have to report between the two? What accessories or options might be useful? Is it practical to run either off a car battery on a charger? My perception is that Kenwood does not have a similarly capable micro rig; is that correct?
2. I'd rather not put up a tower and yagi. I do have sufficient land for a trap vertical with radials, or for dipoles/inverted vees perhaps up to 1/2 wave on 80 meter size. Any suggestions? Do any of the trap verticals break down into checked- or carry-on baggage size?
3. Any ideas for multiband mobile antennas that would be compatible with a Ford Expedition? What kind of mounting would work well?
4. I am guessing a stateside QSL manager would be a good idea. What's the best way to find one, and what is a typical arrangement with one?
5. What kind of logging programs are popular? I suppose it should be contest compatible, be able to print QSL labels, and certainly to be able to export log files for a QSL manager.
6. How rare is 9G these days, anyway? Are any of the places I could reasonable drive to and operate mobile, such as Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, or Cote d’Ivoire needed during contests or at other times?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
73,
Bob Palitz AA6Y