While my primary focus over the past six months has been HF DX chasing (and I’ve done a good job at that) I’ve decided to take a month to do nothing but QRP operation, and hopefully expand that to the occasional portable HF QRP operation as well. I’ve had the FT-817 around for a year or so, but just haven’t put it to regular use. I’ve made a few contact on it, including New York on 60 meters, Italy on 20, and a few other random QSOs. My plan is to use it exclusively for the rest of the month and go from there.I’ve got some accessories all ready that will come in handy. First, I have the LDG Z-11 QRP auto tuner that I haven’t used much. It is rated at 60 watts PEP, so I haven’t put it to routine use with the Icom. I have an assortment of portable whip antennas, and an outbacker Joey 80-6m antenna. My plan is to use the G5RV while I am at home, and try these portable antennas and some simple wire antennas while out and about.
I’ve ordered a small gel cell to use (the life of the internal battery is around 4-5 hours, depending on tx/rx ratio and a digital interface for PSK. I plan on reporting weekly on how things have gone, and what contacts I have made. I plan on doing a mixture of SSB, PSK and CW – probably with an emphasis on the last two.
Here is a link to the antenna tuner if you want to check it out.
