W0VLZ - QRP Operating using a K1

[pembsastronomer]

Thanks for posting this Niel...inspiring..... I hope to be out and about this summer with my FT817.....73 from West Wales

[w0vlz]

Glad that you found the video useful. With spring finally coming to the upper midwest I'm getting out myself. For another antenna idea see my C-Pole blog entry at w0vlz.blogspot.com/2010/05/c-p­ole-antenna-for-qrpxpeditions.­html

[TMFOK7]

I was born and raised in Spokane and get overthere at least once a month to see family. Im currently in the Seattle area so maybe one day, we can hook up.

73 to you and the family...

K7TMF

[TMFOK7]

Nice little setup you have there! So I have to ask, where in Eastern Washington did you go to visit the in-laws?

73...

K7TMF

[w0vlz]

@TMFOK7 ... I've family in Pullman (south of Spokane), Auburn and Puyallup (both south of Seattle). Washington is a great state to tour around with interesting places to visit and to operate from.

[Philovideo]

Thanks for the demo of your Elecraft K1 QRP rig. Nice looking radio! It is amazing what can be done at QRP power levels, esp with a good antenna system!

Hope to work you some day on HF.

73, Bill, KI7F

Denver, Colorado

[kc4tm258]

Great video Niel. Looks like a fun day in the park. I use a K1 also.... excellent radios. thanks for the video.....

[Mackingster]

De KE7DBX here - My QRP rig is an 817nd, with two 6 volt led sealed led acid batteries. QRP is a cool aspect of ham radio. My interest is QRP UHF/VHF. Neat video.

[timeanagain]

Great video Niel. I had a Novice license a long time ago, but never actually got on the air. I am learning code again now (its easier with all the computer programs). Hope to QRP on my hikes. Thanks for the inspiration!

[2e0bax]

Still working on the cw and i think its harder to learn now you dont have to.

Great video hope to catch you on the bands. 73's de M0GIA

[byronservies]

I got in to ham radio for 1) emergency communications and 2) to learn about radio. Somehow, I became and appliance operator, and my plan to move out of that category is to learn CW (underway) and move away from commercial HF gear and building my own Elecraft gear, starting with a K1. Thanks for inspiration!

[NG9D]

Great video Niel! ... and thanks for recent QSO!!

[esclavosoy]

Great video on QRPing

[PortableQRP]

Niel,

Nice video, I do lots of QRP. I am also an Elecraft fan (K3). Been thinking about a K1.

Keep it up.

73

VE3UK

[20351MA]

This is why I like YouTube. Excellent video, Niel. Would love to see more.

-73-

W4SK

[eogg25]

Nice video.I must be the only dummy who has trouble on figuring out how to operate the rig. i have to carry the operating manual with me all the time. i wish elecraft had a video out showing me how to use everything.

[W6OWH]

Thanks for the nice day in the park with a K-1 Elecraft and a simple antenna. I wanted to see you tune the antenna and actually show a contact being made but the video was well done. The throwing of the weight into the tree was a simple technique that worked well. I have tried a fishing pole to launch the weight up to about 40 feet but you method is simpler. Thanks N6BOB

[w0vlz]

The K1 includes an antenna tuner...just press two buttons and it tunes itself.

[WA2JSG]

Excellent video, Niel. Thanks for posting it.

Curt (in NJ)

[k5clc]

A QRP field pack, a park bench, and a cold soda is what it's all about! Great fun. Excellent video presentation.

[rogertangodotcom]

Thx for the vid, you inspire me. I too like to work portable, and QRP is such a thrill to make contacts with!

Best 73s- W4INF

[strollby]

Most informative Neil, a great video which I am sure many will find interesting. I was under the impression that the sets QRP'ers use would be far mnore basic so it was nice to see your description of the equipment used and the area of coverage that can be worked, Thanks

[Geistero]

Thanks for the video. Very nice!

[WA5MUF]

Fine business!

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WA5MUF

[sOnarPL]

Realy nice and good video! Interesting !

Great material w0vlz!

[sophiegromit]

Have you used a 'YO-YO Tenna'?

[stickwalker]

I think this video has been well worth watching. I learned how easy it is to set up a cw radio in the outdoors...

Great job,

Thanks for posting it.

[VA2SG]

Very interesting! 73!

[mikesgunsandammo]

is the battery from a secuity system panel? It must 12 volts?

It must also be Nicad?

Anything, more on the battery that would help me? 73 es ds agn

[w0vlz]

The battery is a 5 Amp Hr 12 volt gel cell. The K1 draws only about 1 amp key down so something much smaller/lighter would work.

[carmelo3750]

I wonder what distances you have communicated with?

[w0vlz]

I've worked stations all over the US using this setup.

[kc7fys]

By the way, OM, what gauge is that wire? Stranded or solid?

I will be hitting the Backbone Bluegrass Festival down in Strawberry Point, IA and QRV that weekend QRP from my tent. Who knows what's gonna happen, but I have high hopes. 1W out of a RockMite>BLT Tuner>(yet unknown radiator). Bluegrass mandolin and QRP. What could be better?

[w0vlz]

I use insulated 20 gauge(?) stranded wire. Lots of times the wire runs directly through leaves and over a tree limb so the wire must be insulated. The main thing to watch for in selecting an antenna location is the lay of the land (no close in hills in the direction you are working) and get the antenna support point up as high as possible.

[kc7fys]

I am thinking teflon coated wire is what I should have. The QBSA uses it, the base station accessory for the ATS-series QRP kit radios.

[w0vlz]

To see lots of good information on endfed half wave antennas, google "EFHWA" especially N2CX's article from the NJ QRP Club. Another good info source is the Iowa QRP Club Journal. Google "iaqrpjrnl"

[kc7fys]

Excellent video. When Niel says, "The antenna's up in the air," it's unclear exactly what he means to someone who hasn't done this. How far up and at what angle? Again, this video is so nice for those who don't get to see this.

[w0vlz]

I use a 1/2 or full wave endfed antenna with a 1/4 wave counterpoise for "ground", that's why the different lengths of wire. End fed is nice since only one support needed, the higher the better. Typically the ant comes out looking like an inverted V or L with one end connected directly to the K1 built-in antenna tuner.

[kc7fys]

Thanks kindly. By the way, I operate QRO and QRP as 7J1AWL, and descended from the legendary (to me, at least) W0XO of Collins Radio, there in Cedar Rapids.

VY 73, KC7FYS

[DxHoffman]

FB video.