I have been using my FT817 for several weeks and wanted to post some
feedback to the group, especially with regard to my field trials of
the MP-1 antenna, etc.
My goal with the 817 is two fold: a QRP WAS and a QRP WAC, so my
comments and evaluation will come from that perspective.
This past weekend from my QTH in the SF Bay area I was able to work
the following states and DX: S.C*, AZ*, TX*, CO*, ME, OH, WA*, AR,
VK2*, VK3*, VK4*, ZL1, VE6, and VE7* (* multiple QSO's). I was using
either my MP-1 set up in my backyard or a multi band shortened 40-10M
dipole mounted at 10' AGL. ALL CONTACTS VIA SSB. I worked 40 / 20
and 15M.
Working a VK from my QTH is total of 7,845 miles, or 1500+ miles per
watt.
(***I just missed a ZF--he couldn't get my call correct so he didn't
go down in the log...next time.)
I worked the ZL1 and the Maine QSO on the same night!
In all cases the 10' high dipole greatly out performed the MP-1
regardless of band. I even tried the cardboard box trick that Vern
suggested to reduce hard coupling with the ground. I was using a
Z-11
tuner, however I was able to get a "no bar" SWR intication from the
817 by carefully hand tuning the loading coil with out the Z-11 on
all
bands I worked.
Signal reports were generally +S3 better with the dipole even at only
10'.
Feedback about the 817 was very consistent: Great audio. R/S reports
ranged from 5 /1 to 5 /9++. My recommendation for phone mode is to
be
very aware of the mic. gain levels..I needed to run at a setting of
"70" to get good deflection on the PWR meter on the 817. I received
no
reports of flat topping or over mod. on my audio with this setting,
however.
I made all my DX QSO's responding to CQ's or "tail ending" and logged
a total of 6 VK's that I contacted in one call to their CQ in about
90
min. Bagging DX on one call running QRP is absolutely thrilling.
Without exception Hams have been very supportive of my QRP efforts
and
more than once I received a call from others eager to really see if I
was just running 5 watts. BTW..The VK guys love to work a QRP QSO.
I plan to conduct a similar side by side test this weekend in
preperation for gettting my field day set up finalized. Right now
the
dipole is looking real good.
I have also been doing extensive testing of Mark Smith's RATS CAT
GUI.
I like this application a lot, more on RATS on another post. ( have
no financial affiliation with Kingsmith software, etc., etc...).
Like to hear about similar DX / WAS success from others.
Thanks in advance.
:harry
