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[K2CZ]

For Parks On The Air, the soon-upcoming Field Day, etc., (non-primary amateur activities for me) I'm beginning to investigate what moderate portable HF radio to purchase... probably/preferably used. Hoping to shortcut the process by getting input from those with the experience I'm lacking.

Not really prioritizing bells and whistles, just a basic portable HF rig for use with a 12V lithium battery and a roll up antenna. Small, lightweight, maybe even backpackable. Don't need lots of power (maybe 25-50W max) ... SSB most important, but FM might be good too ... ambivalent on AM.  Don't plan on using RTTY or CW, so they're not critical.  6m a bonus but also not critical. 2m, 220MHz, 440MHz also not critical but OK and a bonus.

Seeking recommendations of model numbers of used and/or possibly new radios I can investigate and look for that meet these criteria. Budget pretty flexible, getting the right radio (...that meets my needs w/o too many features I won't use) more important to me than what it costs.

Like I said, probably used, and probably w/o bells&whistles... but if there's a compelling argument to consider new (e.g. digital capabilities, controls/display, unusual features, etc.) I'd be interested in hearing your voice of experience with portable ops, as I'm currently a blank slate on this.

Thx for sharing your thoughts.

[WB6BYU]

You will find a number of options that run up to 10-12 watts or so,
but relatively few between that and a 100W rig.

I have an Elecraft K2 that I got used:  it still needs some repair,
but works well on CW, and can run 10W.  The KX-2 is probably
better, but either may be difficult to find used. 

Many of the older solid state rigs should be quite adequate.

I have an old Ten-Tec Argosy 525 (the digital version works better
than the analog one) that is rated for 50 watts output, and is
very simple to use.  But that is 30 years old already:  plenty of
space inside to work on it if needed, but not as compact as many
of the newer radios.  I also use a TS-450 on Field Day, which isn't
exactly a spring chicken, either.  (The TS-680 model covered 6m
as well.)  A friend used an FT-726, others use FT-897 / 857.

In practice there isn't a lot of difference among the many rigs
available, as far as the current draw at full power, and most can
be cut down to 25 or 50 watts as desired.

One of the specifications to check is the minimum battery voltage
it can tolerate:  some rigs only go down to 11.5V or so, others
will work below 10V.  That can be important when your battery
gets low.

[WA2EIO]

Do some searches for the RGO-One.   It is a 50 Watt SSB/CW rig in a relatively small and lightweight package.  Good reviews on e-ham.  You should also find some youtube videos of it in operation on POTA activations.   It can also serve well as a base rig.

[KB1GMX]

I have several all used or home brewed.

Tentec Argonaut 505 (the 509 is good too) its larger than some buy
power frugal and light.

The FT817 is a perennial favorite and I enjoy mine. With a small
5-10ah external battery it runs for a long time.  They can be found
used for a reasonable price.  The newer FT818 is not too extravagant.

If monoband is a useable case then anything that does
40M or 20M is worth bringing.  I have a few SSB/CW
radios I home brewed for both those bands. 

There are others like the IC705 and of course Elecraft but not
likely to be found used or cheap.

For operations that are not far from the car/truck or where
a few trips or weight are not a factor (or maybe on a cart). 
There are a lot of 100W radios that dial down and are not
bad on a reasonable battery (30Ah or larger).  I use my
TT Eagle, or my faithful Tentec Triton (340).   However
IC7300 and a lot of other radios are suitable and dial
down nicely.  The deciding factor is when using battery
or power look at how much the receiver uses.

If its not too over the lop or long walk to the operating location
consider adding solar panel.


Allison

[AE0Q]

There a LOT of the Yaesu FT-891 radios being used for portable operating, it's small and is a 100w output radio (HF/6m).  You would need a 20 Ah battery for use at full power for a day, but LiFePO4 batteries aren't heavy.  Not too hard to find that radio used or new.  The output power can be turned down.

A TenTec Scout is a small 50w HF radio, with plug-in band modules, some used out there, not new.  Simple to use, has a variable bandwidth IF filter.

There are lots of small QRP radios in the 5w range, operating QRP if you don't have lots of HF experience can be a challenge, sometimes frustrating.  Many are CW only, though.

The Xiegu G90 is a small, fairly inexpensive (but modern all-mode DSP-based) 20w radio that is also VERY popular for portable operating.

If $$$ is no object the Elecraft KX3 (15w), KX2 (10w) or Icom IC-705 (10w) are excellent, modern radios to investigate, light weight for portable use.

I use a TenTec Eagle, 100w radio for portable and home use.  Small, modern DSP filtering, can be found used.

A 40m-10m EFHW antenna or a linked-dipole is probably the easiest, light-weight antenna to put up and carry.  Use a 32 ft collapsible fiberglass mast if no trees around.

Glenn AE0Q

[K2CZ]

Thanks, very much, to those who responded for your insights on this. It will be very helpful and I very much appreciate it.

73

CJ. -  K2CZ

[AE0Q]

Thanks, very much, to those who responded for your insights on this. It will be very helpful and I very much appreciate it.
73   CJ. -  K2CZ 

Sent you a msg here on eHam with more info.
AE0Q

[WA9AFM]

Take a look at the Icom IC-705.  Several folks in the OKC area have them and are very pleased with the radio.