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Posted: 7/4/2016 11:57:04 AM EDT
[#1]
If you wanted to camp in a regular campground with facilities there are several National Forest campgrounds close. We could still go to the fire tower to day hike and operate.
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Posted: 7/4/2016 12:05:25 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm still interested in this, KM. Count me "IN".
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Posted: 7/4/2016 12:09:16 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm still interested in this, KM. Count me "IN". We better not invite Piccolo. We may be mistaken for terrorists.  |
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Posted: 7/4/2016 12:10:51 PM EDT
[#4]
That location would put it within a 3.5 hour drive for most areas of Indiana, much of Illinois and Kentucky.
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Posted: 7/4/2016 12:25:25 PM EDT
[#5]
Ouch. 10(ish) hours from me.
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Posted: 7/4/2016 8:28:09 PM EDT
[#6]
Anyone up for the first weekend of August for this? I would drive down on Friday Aug. 5 then return home on Sunday. About the only 2 weekends I could do it are the first or second weekend of August.
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Posted: 7/4/2016 10:42:23 PM EDT
[#7]
I would be all over this if it was local to me just to learn a bit more and help out. If nothing else I could hold down the camp fire and cook (if it was a bit cooler that is).
Good luck guys! Lots of pics stories required. |
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Posted: 7/4/2016 10:55:26 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Anyone up for the first weekend of August for this? I would drive down on Friday Aug. 5 then return home on Sunday. About the only 2 weekends I could do it are the first or second weekend of August. Tentatively, that would work well for me, km. I'll pencil that Friday off on the work schedule, anyway. |
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Posted: 7/4/2016 11:42:45 PM EDT
[#9]
This sounds like a great time and a learning opportunity for an HF noob like myself.
I also happen to live an hour away from Deam and have camped near where you plan to set up. I'll have to double check my work schedule, but I may be free that weekend. |
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Posted: 7/5/2016 12:33:20 PM EDT
[#10]
I would be in, but that's the weekend of CWTX
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Posted: 7/5/2016 1:13:52 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I would be in, but that's the weekend of CWTX August 27 is busy for me. I need to go break my own Ohio QSO pary Fulton County QRP record. Shouldn't be hard to do . I'll be taking a better antenna and will use the 56 ft tower. (aka silo) this time. |
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Posted: 7/5/2016 2:21:37 PM EDT
[#12]
That next weekend, the 12th-14th, is the final weekend before our son heads off to college. Lots of last minute packing and running around for us.
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Posted: 7/5/2016 2:41:38 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That next weekend, the 12th-14th, is the final weekend before our son heads off to college. Lots of last minute packing and running around for us. |
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Posted: 7/6/2016 7:55:56 AM EDT
[#14]
I dug out my 6 year old REI Half Dome 2 HC tent yesterday evening and pitched it in the backyard. Yeah, I think this will a great time!
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 7/6/2016 8:22:52 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I dug out my 6 year old REI Half Dome 2 HC tent yesterday evening and pitched it in the backyard. Yeah, I think this will a great time! http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m17/BigDaddy0004/20160706_055519_zpsnj0ubyxi.jpg Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile We need to take a picture with us in front of the lookout tower for a qsl card.  (this is a bump to see if anyone else is interested.) |
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Posted: 7/6/2016 9:33:16 PM EDT
[#16]
You can drive to the fire tower so don't let the "hike in to the campsite" discourage anyone. I just moved to Indiana last year and the Deam wilderness area is beautiful. I might drive down from Indy.
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Posted: 7/6/2016 9:46:33 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You can drive to the fire tower so don't let the "hike in to the campsite" discourage anyone. I just moved to Indiana last year and the Deam wilderness area is beautiful. I might drive down from Indy. |
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Posted: 7/7/2016 8:32:03 PM EDT
[#18]
What antenna(s) are you going to use with your KX2/3, KM?
Here's one option I'll try... Endfedz Trail Friendly in an inverted V supported in the middle by a free standing 18' crappie pole. The orange end supports are a couple of those fiberglass driveway markers. 
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Posted: 7/7/2016 8:52:31 PM EDT
[#19]
Don't forget the NAQP CW contest is the 7th! If you strung your antennas from the tower you'd have a solid setup for the QRP category.
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Posted: 7/7/2016 9:36:21 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What antenna(s) are you going to use with your KX2/3, KM? Here's one option I'll try... Endfedz Trail Friendly in an inverted V supported in the middle by a free standing 18' crappie pole. The orange end supports are a couple of those fiberglass driveway markers. http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m17/BigDaddy0004/Screenshot_2016-07-07-20-21-54_zpsvldzmbm3.jpg  KX2 with the MFJ1889T antenna and counterpoise.  |
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Posted: 7/8/2016 6:19:39 PM EDT
[#21]
I see that weekend is the lighthouse on the air weekend. Maybe we can work some lighthouses.
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Posted: 7/12/2016 9:29:39 PM EDT
[#22]
Bumping this for anyone else who may be interested.
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Posted: 7/13/2016 11:12:11 AM EDT
[#23]
km, is that a bnc to twisted pair balun on the elecraft antenna jack? If so may I have some more antenna details?
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Posted: 7/13/2016 3:33:25 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: km, is that a bnc to twisted pair balun on the elecraft antenna jack? If so may I have some more antenna details? This site has a lot of information on random wire antenna lengths. http://www.hamuniverse.com/randomwireantennalengths.html Sometimes I also use a 9:1 unun. I was using a 20 ft shakespeare crappie pole to hold the antenna. Made 58 contacts that day in just over an hour. See my offer in the Pay it forward thread. still have one pair of them unclaimed. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/634647_Pay_it_forward_HAM_RADIO.html&page=14 |
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Posted: 7/13/2016 6:42:31 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Just the BNC to push pin connector. Have had good results with them. Use different length wires and counterpoise. Usually 53 or 58 ft antenna and 13 ft counterpoise. This site has a lot of information on random wire antenna lengths. http://www.hamuniverse.com/randomwireantennalengths.html Sometimes I also use a 9:1 unun. I was using a 20 ft shakespeare crappie pole to hold the antenna. Made 58 contacts that day in just over an hour. See my offer in the Pay it forward thread. still have one pair of them unclaimed. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/634647_Pay_it_forward_HAM_RADIO.html&page=14 Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
km, is that a bnc to twisted pair balun on the elecraft antenna jack? If so may I have some more antenna details? This site has a lot of information on random wire antenna lengths. http://www.hamuniverse.com/randomwireantennalengths.html Sometimes I also use a 9:1 unun. I was using a 20 ft shakespeare crappie pole to hold the antenna. Made 58 contacts that day in just over an hour. See my offer in the Pay it forward thread. still have one pair of them unclaimed. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/634647_Pay_it_forward_HAM_RADIO.html&page=14 Thanks for the info. Are the baluns the same as cctv video baluns? If so I have a handful left over from a recent project. I also have a few of the bnc to binding post adapters you show in the pay it forward thread. I have a few small dipoles made with those. I hadn't thought of a long wire setup. I also have a homebrew 9:1 for portable use too. Sorry to have hijacked a perfectly good camping thread, if I were a few hours closer I'd join you guys. |
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Posted: 7/17/2016 1:41:58 PM EDT
[#26]
Worked on my digital setup for the campout in 19 days. One of the challenges is seeing the display on the laptop in bright sunlight!
Antenna is an EndFedz Trail Friendly in an inverted L on a 6m (19.7') tall crappie pole. 
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Posted: 7/17/2016 5:50:32 PM EDT
[#27]
Camper bitten by venomous snake in Brown County State Park
[snake bite joke] ...the Dr. said "You're going to die" [/snake bite joke] |
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Posted: 7/17/2016 7:27:06 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuote HistoryQuoted: Camper bitten by venomous snake in Brown County State Park [snake bite joke] ...the Dr. said "You're going to die" [/snake bite joke] |
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Posted: 7/17/2016 7:51:47 PM EDT
[#29]
My kx2 got a workout on phone this weekend. Picked up 7 new park to park NPOTA contacts. Since there have been so many QSOs from TR04 not many are looking for that one so I hunted down rare parks for park to park. About 6 hours of operating used enough of the internal battery that I was limited to 5 watt transmit. Rain was moving in so I packed it up.
Played with both the CATV connectors and the 9:1 unun. 58 ft wire with 13 ft counterpoise tunes much better with the unun. Still need a lot more testing to decide which radiates better. 53 ft tuned better without the unun than 59 ft did.   I intend to use my homemade paper logbook for logging on the trip. I'mm a weight weenie and not going to take the tablet. I make these little logbooks with waterproof paper so the weather doesn't destroy them. Makes it more expensive but worth it for this kind of operating. |
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Posted: 7/17/2016 8:43:38 PM EDT
[#30]
BigDaddy, how are you liking the QRP ranger so far?
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Posted: 7/17/2016 9:00:10 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
BigDaddy, how are you liking the QRP ranger so far? So far, it's just what I was looking for: LiFePO4 battery (Bill Harrison told me mine is one of the first batch of 125WH upgraded from the previous 100WH battery), charge controller, & solar charge controller all in one package. I used it to power the KX3 today for a little while, but not long enough to give it a real workout, yet. The 30w PowerFilm foldable solar panel should be delivered tomorrow. I'm eager to see how that will keep the battery charged in the QRP Ranger. Work this weekend cut into radio play time. I'll post more as I get some more time using it.
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Posted: 7/18/2016 11:58:27 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I intend to use my homemade paper logbook for logging on the trip. I'mm a weight weenie and not going to take the tablet. I make these little logbooks with waterproof paper so the weather doesn't destroy them. Makes it more expensive but worth it for this kind of operating. Would you care to share the file for that paper log? That idea suits me. As much as I prefer computer logging, I hate trying to use a tablet or phone while making QSOs. |
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Posted: 7/18/2016 1:50:19 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Would you care to share the file for that paper log? That idea suits me. As much as I prefer computer logging, I hate trying to use a tablet or phone while making QSOs. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I intend to use my homemade paper logbook for logging on the trip. I'mm a weight weenie and not going to take the tablet. I make these little logbooks with waterproof paper so the weather doesn't destroy them. Makes it more expensive but worth it for this kind of operating. Would you care to share the file for that paper log? That idea suits me. As much as I prefer computer logging, I hate trying to use a tablet or phone while making QSOs.  I cut the tab on the right side off and left more paper on the left so I could staple them into a book.  |
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Posted: 7/18/2016 2:00:57 PM EDT
[#34]
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Posted: 7/18/2016 7:53:04 PM EDT
[#35]
When I get home I put them in my N3FJP log so I can upload to LOTW. I have found that a small paper log is better for me than a tablet or phone. Less weight than taking the tablet and the small size makes a phone too slow for me. I use the more expensive waterproof paper since I have found that I had too many sheets get damp and not hold together well for backpacking and bike.
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Posted: 7/18/2016 8:16:48 PM EDT
[#36]
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Posted: 7/19/2016 9:24:54 PM EDT
[#37]
Quoted:
...Camping is primitive and we need to carry in all our supplies and water. I have a powerfilm solar panel and see in another thread that BD is getting one too. km, couple of questions running thru my mind...
BTW, my 30W PowerFilm solar panel came in yesterday. 
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Posted: 7/19/2016 9:32:19 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: km, couple of questions running thru my mind...
BTW, my 30W PowerFilm solar panel came in yesterday. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: ...Camping is primitive and we need to carry in all our supplies and water. I have a powerfilm solar panel and see in another thread that BD is getting one too. km, couple of questions running thru my mind...
BTW, my 30W PowerFilm solar panel came in yesterday. I don't think CCW would be a problem but no target shooting is allowed. During open seasons hunting is allowed there. I will have enough battery with the 2 for the KX2 to run 10+ hours. Don't think I will need more than that. I'll let you do the high draw modes. If I really want to take it I have a 20 w powerfilm panel and controller to charge batteries, |
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Posted: 7/19/2016 9:34:32 PM EDT
[#39]
Been doing a lot of NPOTA so I'm learning what the kx2 can do. Was out on the North Country Scenic Trail Saturday and Sunday.
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Posted: 7/19/2016 11:06:29 PM EDT
[#40]
Food isn't going to be much of an issue for a couple of days for me, km. I may bring some freeze dried stuff, and I have a couple small alcohol stoves, too.
I'm planning on playing on the Arfcom digital call frequencies with Olivia 16/500 and also using WSJT-X for JT65/JT9 on 20 and 40m. Where where were you on the North Country Scenic Trail? |
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Posted: 7/19/2016 11:11:02 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Food isn't going to be much of an issue for a couple of days for me, km. I may bring some freeze dried stuff, and I have a couple small alcohol stoves, too. I'm planning on playing on the Arfcom digital call frequencies with Olivia 16/500 and also using WSJT-X for JT65/JT9 on 20 and 40m. Where where you on the North Country Scenic Trail? |
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Posted: 7/20/2016 7:07:44 AM EDT
[#42]
Bigdaddy, where did you get the Powerfilm?
This place was the cheapest I've found, but they have some complaints against them for non-delivery: http://www.flexsolarcells.com/index_files/Foldable_Series/pages/PowerFilm-Solar-Foldable-Solar-Panel-Module-F16-1800-Black.php Quote HistoryQuoted:
BTW, my 30W PowerFilm solar panel came in yesterday. |
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Posted: 7/20/2016 7:58:09 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Bigdaddy, where did you get the Powerfilm? This place was the cheapest I've found, but they have some complaints against them for non-delivery: http://www.flexsolarcells.com/index_files/Foldable_Series/pages/PowerFilm-Solar-Foldable-Solar-Panel-Module-F16-1800-Black.php Quote HistoryQuoted:
Bigdaddy, where did you get the Powerfilm? This place was the cheapest I've found, but they have some complaints against them for non-delivery: http://www.flexsolarcells.com/index_files/Foldable_Series/pages/PowerFilm-Solar-Foldable-Solar-Panel-Module-F16-1800-Black.php Quoted:
BTW, my 30W PowerFilm solar panel came in yesterday. Don't buy it from them. That's the place I bought mine from. PayPal transaction went thru immediately. They took over two weeks to get my "IN STOCK" order from Texas to Indianapolis. They are very unresponsive to emails. When they finally did respond, I was told my shipment was shipped inadvertently to BANGKOK (!) I can't make this up. 
Amazon had the same panel with an additional adapter for $24 more and I could have had it in 2 days. |
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Posted: 7/20/2016 11:55:16 AM EDT
[#44]
Some posts in the Facebook Amateur QRP radio group got me to do these tests. Scale is tested and approved by the county Weights and Measurements department. Tested to 1 oz accuracy Sept 2015. It gets retested once a year.
    The battery in the radio is good for 5 to 8 hours of operation. Now with the extra battery included.  |
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Posted: 7/20/2016 7:35:13 PM EDT
[#45]
km, I recommend one of these for connecting to the KX2's antenna BNC - it will save your radio from getting broken due to stress on the jack:
(1 foot long) http://www.ebay.com/itm/131261900935 
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Posted: 7/24/2016 3:50:24 PM EDT
[#46]
Who's idea was it to have an Indiana ham radio camping trip in August?
A Heat Advisory continues until 8pm for all of central Indiana. 
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Posted: 7/24/2016 3:53:29 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Some posts in the Facebook Amateur QRP radio group got me to do these tests. Scale is tested and approved by the county Weights and Measurements department. Tested to 1 oz accuracy Sept 2015. It gets retested once a year. The battery in the radio is good for 5 to 8 hours of operation. Now with the extra battery included. I'm seriously impressed with your light weight setup, km! 
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Posted: 7/24/2016 4:00:53 PM EDT
[#48]
 does that AC run off solar as well?
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Posted: 7/24/2016 8:47:03 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm seriously impressed with your light weight setup, km! Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Some posts in the Facebook Amateur QRP radio group got me to do these tests. Scale is tested and approved by the county Weights and Measurements department. Tested to 1 oz accuracy Sept 2015. It gets retested once a year. The battery in the radio is good for 5 to 8 hours of operation. Now with the extra battery included. I'm seriously impressed with your light weight setup, km! |
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Posted: 7/24/2016 8:48:58 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Who's idea was it to have an Indiana ham radio camping trip in August? A Heat Advisory continues until 8pm for all of central Indiana. http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/kbardes/Fat%20Orange%20Cat/tentwithAC.jpg |
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