Icom703Plus QRP Mobile-Portable

QRP mobile is a lot of fun. I alternate among three radios for QRP--the Icom 703+, Yaesu 817, or the Yaesu 857 with the power level turned down. I power my radio(s) from a 12 volt deep cycle battery. The antennas I use are mainly the Workman (Hamstick type) attached to a truck-lip mount since I use rentals for my travel. After a day's travel or a day's work it is always relaxing for me to find a park or scenic overlook and fire of the radio and see what's in the air. 73 from AI4QT

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Icom 703plus
• QRP radio
• QRP mobile
• Hamstick Antenna
• Workman Antenna

[johnrob281]

Good contact and vidoe. What type of antenna mount are you using?

73 DE W5CYF

[AI4QT]

@johnrob281. The antenna mount is a trunk (lip) mounted type. I find these ground much better to the car than the typical mag-mount since the hex-screws can actually penetrate the metal of the car making for a better ground (don’t tell the car rental agency I rent from!).

[AI4QT]

The Yaesu 857 is a great compromise-- lower the power and you have a QRP radio, increase it; you have a full-power 100 watt station. Some have told me that when the 857 is set at 5 watts it actually transmits maybe 8- 12 watts--- not sure if this is true. The only drawback I have with the 857 being a QRP rig is that each time you key the mic, the radio's cooling fan activates. No biggie, but this can't be good if you're trying to conserve battery power. 73. Wil

[AI4QT]

You are correct. But since at this latitude, my radio was zipping around the planet at about 570 mph—wouldn’t that constitute operating mobile? >smile<... but alas, I stand corrected. Thanks for watching! 73 and best from AI4QT

[Radiowavemkimsn]

I forgot to ad in my response that we were on 40 meters on 7.185 and my station here is a Yaesu ft 950. I also run a Yaesu ft 857 d in the car which is lots of fun .. What a great hobby we share... 73's from Buffalo Brian """ KC2MKI """

[Radiowavemkimsn]

Hi again Wil , And thanks for the nice 40 meter contact on 7.185 with your low power Qrp station , I certainly enjoyed your video and qso !!! 73's and look for you on the airwaves .... Your new ham radio bud ! Buffalo Brian .........

[USNERDOC]

Very nice video and a cool contact to share!

Very cool he saw you on YouTube . . . love that voice Wil.

I am looking at a Yaesu 817 or 857 later this summer.

73

KF7ETX

David