Len via groups.io <kc3pwb@...> wrote:
Here's what I'm using:
- battery
4x 18650 + linear 12V regulator.
- antenna
PAC-12 / JPC-12 with a longer radiating element (5.6 m).
If you don't want to spend money on it, you can make a single-band dipole
or an end-fed (EFHW). From my experience, end-fed works better than a
dipole (it's easier to tune in the field). If you go with one of these, I
also recommend a strong line and something like this (I'm not sure how
it's called in English, a line throwing weight?):
I chose the heaviest one I could find.
You also need some hooks / carabiner clips:
The line has to be strong in case your weight gets stuck on a branch (and
make sure you tie it properly to clips). It happened to me several times.
But after one season of playing with dipole and EFHW, I ordered PAC-12 and
it made everything so much easier. No more ropes, weights, trying to find
a tree, etc...
The radiating angle of a vertical antenna is also better for DXing.
- tuner
I don't use a tuner. I tune the antenna with NanoVNA. Another thing to
remember, always make sure that the VNA is charged. The same with radio
batteries.
- plus anything else that I haven't even thought of yet :)
- speaker / headphones
- voltmeter for 18650s (before the regulator)
- some comfortable holder to put a key
- a lightweight chair (optional, you can sit on the ground)
- a lightweight table (optional, but it's easier to make notes this way)
- something to write on (pen, paper)
- head lamp for when it gets dark (with a head lamp you still have two
hands free)
- a feeder (I'm using 15m of a H155 cable + a choke on it)
If you don't want to carry a chair and a table, I recommend doing notes on
a smartphone instead of on paper (some notepad app, I'm using Colornote).
If you want to work in a group (for example with your local club), I
recommend using headphones instead of a speaker. It's easier to focus with
headphones, and you're not interrupting others.
Some tips when working in a group: split bands (so if you're working on
20m, it's good if someone else uses a different band), be mindful when
tuning the antenna (it sweeps the band, so it causes clicks in other
radios), be mindful of automatically activated PAs (my QMX enabled PTT in
the PA of a guy sitting two meters from me, it was microPA 50).
You might want to see my video from building a useful addon for portable
work:
Here's how it looks like on a field day with my local club:
