This afternoon (September 8), I should have a chance to activate the Carl Sandburg Home again for the ARRL National Parks on the Air program. You might recall, I activated the site Sunday as well.
I’ll plan to use the Elecraft KX2 and EFT TRail-Friendly antenna combo once again.
I should be on the air starting sometime between 20:00-20:30 UTC (4:00 – 4:30 PM EDT). I’ll plan to operate SSB on two frequencies: 14286 and 7286 kHz. I should be on the air for one hour or so, if all goes well. Listen for my amateur radio call sign: K4SWL.
It would be fantastic to log some SWLing Post readers. If you do manage to hear my 10 watt signal, or work my station, please comment!
Love your articles. I have FT857D and deciding to sell and get the KX2. Any points to consider? Wondering how 10 watts vs the 100 of FT857D will matter.
Hi, Kevin,
In SSB, it’ll matter a lot. The difference between 100 and 10 watts is pretty significant. This is especially the case if you’re chasing a station in a pile-up and competing with people who have 1kW stations or higher. In the case of NPOTA and special event stations, they’re listening for you, so you can get away with a weaker signal. Still, in the field, if I was pushing 100 watts, my signal could be heard by many more.
In CW, I’ve always felt like the difference is less profound. It’s such a simple and effective mode, it doesn’t need the power punch SSB does.
I have a 100 watt Elecraft K2 that’s quite portable. I could take it to the field if I wished, but I just find the uber-portability of the KX2 so appealing, I don’t mind if my SSB signal is flea-powered. 🙂
If I were you, I’d try to figure out a way to have both a 100 watt portable station and a QRP portable station!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL
Good luck, and may the propagation gods be with you!!
Thank you, Robert! I’ll need the good prop for sure!
My travels are taking me so close to the site today, I just can’t resist. Would be great to log you, OM!