Thanks to Ray and Gwen for the tip, and that indeed looks like a really nice low cost way to go. But I already have a KX2 and I would still need to bring along a notebook or small laptop computer. I could certainly homebrew a combined unit consisting of the MDS Phasor, a Raspberry Pi, and a 12 volt display ... total cost would probably be less than $200. I just think that a self-contained unit would be inherently smaller, and probably a good seller if Elecraft ever was inclined to offer one, especially if it provided multiple bands.
73, Dave AB7E On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 6:50 PM Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> wrote: > My pleasure, Paul. Feel free to repost elsewhere. > > And keep on truckin' :) > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > > On Jun 7, 2020, at 3:09 PM, Paul Gacek <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Wayne > > > > Thanks for promoting wilderness radio including SOTA and I hope you > don’t mind but I copied your entire message into a post on the global SOTA > Reflector (watering hole). > > > > > https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/wayne-burdick-elecraft-promoting-sota-cw-and-ssb/22983 > > > > You captured the essence and feeling of mountain top radio. I love it > and never cease to get a kick out of what you describe around the moment of > the first contact (which includes a mountain of anticipation as to whether > there will be a first contact). > > > > Of my almost 250 mountain top activations and 40 or 50 NPOTA > activations, I had either my KX3 or KX2 and neither have ever let me down. > My antennas have failed, my coax has failed and my ability to spot (I’m SSB > so not RBN for me) has in a hollowing gale atop a cold mountain had be > retreat and fail but never the radio. > > > > Thanks Wayne (and your team) for all you have done for the /P brigade. > > > > Paul > > W6PNG/M0SNA > > www.nomadic.blog > > > > > >> On Jun 7, 2020, at 2:35 PM, David Gilbert <[email protected]> wrote: > >> > >> I suggested this about a year ago and got mostly dismissive replies from > >> the group, but I still think that a small, dedicated FT8 rig (and > similar > >> modes) would be an attractive offering. Something the size of a KX2 or > >> maybe just a little larger, with a modest display and separate > >> processors/memory for the rig and the digital modes. It's entirely > >> possible to run FT8 from a Raspberry Pi and an inexpensive display, but > an > >> all-in-one rig would be so much more practical. The rig portion itself > >> could be MUCH simpler (and therefore less expensive) than a KX2. > >> > >> 73, > >> Dave AB7E > >> > >> > >> > >> On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 11:32 AM Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> > >>> Every day, hams worldwide, young and old, summit mountains and hills > >>> carrying the lightest possible load. They earn every calorie burned, > and > >>> are rewarded with vistas most people never see. Like all adventurers, > they > >>> proudly display nature's merit badges: scrapes, bruises, and stings. > >>> > >>> And then they go back for more. The number of peaks "bagged" by some > >>> operators is staggering, as is their level of fitness and endurance. > >>> > >>> In addition to those formally pursuing peaks (via SOTA, or Summits on > the > >>> Air), there are many others who operate casually from hiking trails and > >>> parks. Some operate while they walk (pedestrian mobile, HT-style or > >>> HFpack). Some operate bicycle-mobile. > >>> > >>> I'm writing this out of admiration for, and in solidarity with, all of > >>> those who commune equally with nature and the ionosphere. > >>> > >>> * * * > >>> > >>> There's one thing these hams have in common. > >>> > >>> Upon arriving at their destination -- tired, sweaty, hungry, elated, or > >>> some combination of these -- they hope to make a few QSOs. To > experience a > >>> synthesis of the outdoors and the radio art. > >>> > >>> But it isn't always easy. > >>> > >>> While many hams have transitioned to computer-based digital modes such > as > >>> FT8, others have not. This includes ultralight travelers, as well as > those > >>> who seek the satisfaction of home-building simple gear and putting it > on > >>> the air. > >>> > >>> For portable operators in particular, simplicity and pragmatics often > >>> dictate the use of CW and SSB. It may not be desirable or even > possible to > >>> lug a laptop in your pack, find a place to set it up, and attach its > myriad > >>> cables. You might struggle to see a washed-out LCD screen in direct > >>> sunlight. High winds might capture an open laptop and sweep your gear > away. > >>> > >>> Many, instead, choose traditional modes. These allow for small, > integrated > >>> gear that can often be hand-held. And there's the bonus of immediacy > such > >>> modes offer, without mediation, without constraints on duration or > content. > >>> > >>> To put yourself in their shoes, imagine that you just trekked several > >>> miles, much of it uphill. To accommodate the need for food, water, > >>> clothing, and safety gear, you've brought a minimum amount of radio > >>> equipment. It might be a 3-ounce CW QRP radio; an HF-VHF-UHF portable, > an > >>> all-band/all-mode HF HT (like a KX2), or your latest home-brew > transceiver. > >>> > >>> When you arrive at your peak, you survey the spot for a suitable > operating > >>> position. It might be a large, flat rock; a patch of ground not > infested > >>> with ants and spiders; or a shady spot with a downslope in a favored > >>> direction. You might climb a tree. Shelter beneath a ridge. Or dangle > your > >>> legs and antenna from a cliff. > >>> > >>> Speaking of which, deployment of antennas presents another challenge. > You > >>> could spin-cast or toss a wire, hoping for a good landing, without > snags. > >>> You might wedge the feet of a tripod into rocks, then attach a small > >>> magnetic loop. Or you might use a simple telescoping whip. > >>> > >>> All that effort. Now it's time to turn on the radio. > >>> > >>> Virtually every time I've gone on such an outing, I've made contacts. > At > >>> times I've been lucky. Maybe it's operating experience: knowing who to > >>> call. > >>> > >>> But sometimes there's no one around on CW or SSB. Is it propagation? > Or is > >>> everyone swimming in the digital sea, not paying attention to you, on > your > >>> remote island? > >>> > >>> You can spot yourself on RBN (reverse beacon network), or prearrange > >>> skeds. But what many of us hope for is that burst of contacts. Feeling > like > >>> a rare DX station. Feeling that slap-on-the-back-at-a-distance that > says: > >>> > >>> "We hear you." > >>> > >>> * * * > >>> > >>> You can, of course, partake of this experience yourself. > >>> > >>> Whether you do or not, though: Please consider listening for those who > do. > >>> Formal activations are announced in advance. See for example: > >>> > >>> https://www.sota.org.uk/ > >>> > >>> The band segments used are very small, or even a single frequency, > making > >>> it easy to monitor them while you engage in other activity around the > shack > >>> or on the air. You can use SOTA spotting websites, or just keep a > receiver > >>> on one of the watering holes. (The Elecraft K3/K3S/KX2/KX3 make this > easy, > >>> with built-in scanning. You can set the rig up for either muted or live > >>> audio scans, the latter making it easier to hear weak signals when > they pop > >>> up.) > >>> > >>> One final thought. In this pandemic era, some of us have had more time > to > >>> get on the air, and some of us have had more chance to get outside. > >>> > >>> Let's do both. At the same time. > >>> > >>> 73, > >>> Wayne > >>> N6KR > >>> > >>> > > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
