Buy an Amp for QRP Radios OR Buy a 100 Watt Radio
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 24 сен 2023
- Should you Buy an Amp for your QRP Radios, OR, Just buy a 100 Watt Radio?? How to Charge A MacBook Pro While Portable. How Far From A POTA Trail Can You Be For It To Count As An Activation? And an Update from our HF Boat Antennas Video!
★Links to many of the things I use can be found on my Amazon Store:
www.amazon.com/shop/k8mrdradi...
Consider becoming a Patron @ / k8mrdradiostuff
Follow me on Twitter. / k8mrd
Big Geek Battery Box, k8mrd.square.site
Watch the video here: • Big Geek 12V Ham Radio...
Tri-Lam BuddiStick Pro Counterpoise Support: k8mrd.square.site
K8MRD Radio Stuff Shirts:
Happy Skull Guy: grapevineamateurradio.com/col...
Tower of Terror: grapevineamateurradio.com/col...
Parks On The Air Merch (non affiliate) www.clubgearonline.com
Links to other stuff
**Save 10% off your Coax order at ABR Industries. Use code K8MRD10 at checkout.
abrind.com/?sld=2
The SkyHook Portable Mast Antenna Mount (non affiliate)
www.thehamstop.com/
Use code K8MRDRADIO for 20% off
Save 5% Off At Gigaparts With Code K8MRD:
www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp...
Save 10% off Messi & Paoloni at Gigaparts: www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp...
10% off Messi & Paoloni Coax
Use code K8MRD for 10% off.
messi.it. (or you can order from Gigaparts)
Signal Stuff Signal Stick Antennas:
BNC Antenna: signalstuff.com/super-elastic...
SMA Female Antenna: signalstuff.com/super-elastic...
SMA Male Antenna: signalstuff.com/super-elastic...
Signalstuff Antennas: signalstuff.com/?ref=4089
~~~$15 off most purchases over $65 at Radioddity:
radioddity.refr.cc/mikedahlhofer
*All Links Are Affiliate Where Possible
#hamradio #hamradiotube #parksontheair 
Наука
I love getting "two birds stoned at once". 😁😁
I bought the 891 first, then the 705 and G90. I agree with you on the 891. The 705 and G90 are fun because you don't have to haul around extra amps, cables, etc. If you want a 100 watts, that's what the 891 is for.
It really is best in my opinion to have a dedicated 100 watt and QRP radio. Just too much fuss for me to make a QRP radio a 100 watt radio. But everyone is different.
I was influenced by some of your first posts when using and activating the 891. I am of the same mind set, less equipment is better, IMO. I own the 891 and use it for home and portable use. This got me to get used to the radio and get familiar with the functions faster as well. I also agree with not relying on antenna tuners. I too use an antenna analyzer to keep my antennas resonant and have had very good luck thus far. All my equipment (radio, antennas, power supply, analyzer, and log book) all fit in one easy to carry canvas tool bag that makes portable radio use a breeze. The 891, IMO, is a great 'best of both worlds' kind of radio as I have used it as QRP and full 100watt. While the radio has a scope, I find the old skool way of just listening and dialing in the VFO will get you better results. Always great to watch your posts. 73 👍😎
I respect your take on the Radio vs Amp. However, for me, I am fine with 10w portable, but sometimes I'd like to punch up my base-station at home. Hard for me to give up the Waterfall, Bluetooth, Wifi, and all the other perks of the 705. I'll probably get an AMP, but all of your reasons made total sense from a Park Activation standpoint.
Brilliant response to that last question of the day! Thanks for sharing with all of us.
I agree, Mike. The FT891 does it all. I chose it as my starter radio, and use it as a mobile now that I upgraded to the FT710 for the shack. Yes, the menus suck, learn them. On air, it does everything the 710 does (actually, the 891 just might have better xmit audio, I need to record them back to back).
No actually an ICOM 7000 or ICOM 7100 does it all.👍👏🎙
Well, if you want to go off topic, the Yaesu FT991 is a shack in a box as well, but neither of those radios were mentioned here.@@1OFGODSOWN
Thanks for the tip on the power box plug! I just ordered one for my field box.
I can't bring myself to give ~$1400.00 for a QRP radio like the IC-705. I can buy a 100 watt radio for the same price and turn it down to 10 watts for QRP purposes. I have a G-90 and I like it mostly because it has a built in antenna tuner that will tune almost any antenna. It's a lot if radio for the money too.
Good stuff as always Mike.
Thanks mike was excited about this subject.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the no nonsense answers to our questions.
No problem!
Well, I have the 891, 705, TX-500 and the FX-4CR. I bought the 125B and I have run all three of the QRP radios on the amp. Not such a big deal with the setup. All of your QRP radios if your used to using a particular one, will have way more power to work with is a plus. But as Mike said, “ That Me” that’s what I like to do.
891 all the way, I had the 125b and it had issues so I sent it back. I have the FT-891, G90, IC-705, G106, X5105, and the Lab599 TX500 (so far love the TX500). I also have 3 50 watt amplifiers. But, I use the 891 when I need extra power. The external amps pretty much just don’t get used. Oh, and I have a IC-7100 I use in the shack. Just realized I need intervention. Lol
Best day of the week!
Great video Mike - well done ! The FT-891 can give you all the power you need or dial it back if you want. Plenty of how to videos regarding the settings. Most you will set up and never tinker with.
Well, last Friday I was doing the ol' FT8 thing on 30m and who should I see scroll across my vew. Thats right, our friend K8MRD. I didn't expect to see much of anyone on 30m let alone Mike. Nice to hit you up again Mike.
I've been getting on 30 fairly often lately. 20 is still my fav band but I'll sometimes go to 30 instead of 40 because it's usually less crowded. And I've been getting a LOT of DX there lately. It's a fun band for sure.
Remote operation is nice too. The 705 has an IP based server running on it which works great with SDR control available on iOS and macOS. Good reason to run an amp at home with it. Gives you the same functionality as the 7610 remotely.
thank you mike.
Hi Mike, I'm Radiodan W7RF that you referenced in the video for cabling and RBI-1A protective interface between IC-705 (or G90) and XPA-125B. Yes, there is a time and place for a QRP radio and external amplifier and a time for a 100 watt radio. I own two FT-891's. One has been my /M mobile for about 5 years and I have thousands of QSO's on it (mostly CW and a bit of SSB). My mobile antenna is very efficient (40-10M) and consists for a great way to make instant band changes. A 102" whip ball mounted in the right rear qtr panel of a Tundra and just inside the bed is an ICOM AH-4 tuner just inches away from the inside of that ball mount. I control it with a special interface we make that allows any radio to use the fantastic AH-4. I also have a spare FT-891 for portable ops and because I never want to be without my mobile should that one ever have problems. Tnx OM for a fine video and we all look forward to your next offering! 73, Dan W7RF (QRZ, see pics of mobile)
Loving the BotoPota! I also use PD usb-c but these looked better and for the price it can't be beat. I had to pause the video and grab some.
Nooice!
Hey Mike. Just watched your video about qrp or qro radios. When I went to buy my Yasue 817, I had the same delema not able to make contacts with 5watts. Instead of buying a amp, I decided to buy a Yaesu 897. I use the 897 as a qrp and qro radio. It does matter what antenna you use.
As a newbie the FT-891 seems to offer most flexibility in a small package albeit lacking a fancy touchscreen and a tuner. At 80W it’s only +1 signal strength at a receiving station vs 20W anyway. Of course that might make all the difference in some situations. I have a FT-818ND that I was lucky to score new in the box possibly last off the line batch in March. I’m actually thinking about the IC-705 for “front range/parking lot” portable vs the FT-891 for same application. I don’t have a base station rig yet. Useful topics covered in this video. Thanks a bunch.
For longer activations, the XPA125B sips on power compared to the 891. At the end of the day, "run watchu brung" of course
Really the 891 is the way to go. good video
I live in Northeast Texas like 3 .5 miles from the Red River. Back in May I went to Galveston for a week and had tickets to a concert in Houston which got postponed till November. Anyway staying by the ocean again and I am looking forward to putting up the 17ft whip and running the radials out in the water. Salt water is something I don't get to be around very often and makes operating much more fun. Not saying the Piney woods are bad cause I make contacts but the ocean changes everything.
I've made some great contacts sitting on the beach at Galveston Island State Park.
I use a Jackery 300 Explorer to charge my laptop while out. It works great, but once it goes below 40%, it goes quick. Used it at a SES back in 2022 to power my laptop to run FT8. It ran all day with no problems.
The Yaesu ft-891 is a great conpact 100 watt rig. And you will not regret having it.😂 Thanks Mike for the video . 73 AE4OY WILLIE PAECOCK EM-81uf BLACKSHEAR,GA.😅
I second Mike on the 891. I have the 705 and Elecraft KXPA100 - but still ended up with 891 after using a friends for a day while portable. Tough call for both QTH and mobile..
Mike, I use the IC-705 and the Xiegu together all of the time. I placed an adhesive pocket on top of the amp which permanently stores the three cables needed to use the radio and amp together. That way I don't forget the cables, like you said. I find that the amp will produce 80 watts with 1 watt input from the IC-705. The tuner is a plus in an emergency. Also, the IC-705 has a number of features and bands (not with the amp) the 891 cannot provide. Yes, the 891 is a great radio.
Yep 891 is awesome portable or base rig. Shockingly good receive filters! and I have a FTDX101Dx to compare it with! You just have to do a little effort to familiarize yourself with its interface.
Ah the good ole Yaesu interface! Yeah once you get all the deep F menu stuff situated I find I rarely ever need to go there. Unless I need to change power, then its all the way down to menu 16 I go!
I went with the FT-891 for portable. I wanted to have 100w for when we have to evacuate for hurricanes and emergencies. And it works great with the ATAS-120a in a boat. Thanks for the update Mike. KI5UTS
I also have both the FT-891 and G90 w/ amp.. I can and do still POTA with the G90/amp, using a 2U Gator Case. Battery is included, just grab the box, antenna, and go. That said, the FT-891 I think is still the best option.
Well I have an 891 so of course I want an xpa125b! I do really LOVE my 891, but being able to use my g90, x6100, or whatever else I might buy in the future (which I no doubt will buy) is pretty attractive. But for someone's first purchase out of all that I'd definitely agree to get an 891 as it's a fantastic radio that I've had lots of great use out of
A 100 Watt radio is both a QRP and a 100 Watt radio. I don't see the value of a QRP radio only radio, and then adding more expense with tuners & amps. More stuff to carry, and more stuff to break. I am getting the 891, given the price, I am way ahead of the game, as well as superior filters, etc.
WW7GBA
Louis
I can argue both ways. Yes you can turn the power down on a 100 watt radio, but you also need a bigger battery just due to the higher current draw if you want to operate for any length of time. The 891 draws a solid 1amp just on RX so a little 3 or 6 ah battery might not be enough. QRP radios are generally built with portable operations in mind and often include an internal battery, or you can use a much smaller one due to their much lower current consumption. Plus they are just much lighter, smaller, and easier to use portable most of the time. Going out and sitting on a park bench a few feet from your car is one thing. Heck I bring my 7300 for that. But hiking trails or climbing up mountains, you really won't want to be carrying all that extra weight. At least I don't. Unfortunately there really isn't a one size fits all radio. There's always going to be a compromise somewhere. Be it power, weight, size, etc. So really the answer is, buy them all lol!
@@hamradiotube LMAO Yes I want to buy them all!
Haven’t used one, but I have seen these tiny QRP rigs that are super cheap. If they are usable, why not go with those? I think I have seen these as cheap as $180 or so. Are they any good?
Haven’t done POTA yet, going to start getting the stuff together for this coming year. I have been watching you, Jason & Tank, always good advice.
I hope I get to meet you guys when you come out to Buddipole here in Heber City, Chris is right down the street from me. Great guy and one AWESOME facility.
I had the same dilemma. I have the IC-705 and was thinking about an amp. Then I decided to get the FT-891. I now have 100 watts and another radio.
Agree on the 891 for all situations. Bought mine as an “open box” a few years ago for $450. Powered only by a 15Ah Bioenno battery-was going to do POTA but never happened. With the ATAS-120A on my Subaru wagon roof, 57 different DX entities in 19 months and a couple states. The only thing that drives me crazy is…you know what it is…the “menu” system. I gotta’ find a way to tether it to an iPad or tablet so I can find everything. Maybe a Mailbag Monday topic??? 73!! WB3CFN/m
Regardless of radio choices…get on the air…..Ménage A trios adds 6Db….great video Mike
I sold my 891 to get a G90 and it was the Radio decision I've made in a long time.
Great video Mike! Ok, a better way... first pick up the Ameritron HF Power Amplifier TE-911 mobile, it's not that heavy but just a trifle expensive. For 20w to 25W in (IC-705 - Xeigu-90) it will output a Terawatt of power which will solve several problems - if you're on POTA, it will deforrestate about 15 miles around you so that will eliminate nearby signals that will interfere with your activation. If you use it as your base station, it quickly eliminates complaints from your neighbors about interference with their electronics. Their electronics will simply no longer work. The main issue with it right now is the ability for an antenna to survive a use with the TE-911, I think Josh KI6NAZ is goint to try to do a "Will it Tune" episode using a flagpole, but Colin (DX Commander) may beat him first by putting a Titanium bowl on the top of his DX Commander CLASSIC which will make it directional and therefore allow you to DX directly through the earth omitting propagation problems. OBTW, I think existing Messi & Paolini Hyperflex 13 cable *will* carry the load. Just a thought...
I use Anker 737 can charge anything you have. Bonus it can be fast charged.
Hi Mike,
Another great Mailbag Monday. Agree the 891 would be a better solution for the HF+6M. Are you using a Logitech camera to record this video? Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Love ya work and everything you do to help with our HAM hobby. Thankyou. *Ignore the sad keyboard warriors*. HAM radio is fun 🙂
I have an 891. Tuner, and digi rig. I am going to sell it all and get a second IC 7300 for camping and such. It is just easier to deal with.
Yeah my 891 is in the car now with the ATAS antenna. I love my 7300 for portable. Check out the Portable Zero rails for the 7300. They're rock solid. I have zero worries about my 7300 falling on the ground with them on. This is the one I use portablezerostore.ecwid.com/#!/7300-EB-7300-Escort-Black-Texture/p/67845086/category=19927161
I use 3 radios for POTA, 5 watt QDX digi only, 20 watt G90, and a 100 watt FT-710…I use the one that circumstances it “what I am in the mood for” dictates
Yep. That's what I do. Usually it's the 7300. Sometimes the 705, others the 818. Heck I've even taken the 7610 portable lol! Just depends on your use case. I'm certainly not taking my 7300 and heavy batteries on a long hike or climbing up a mountain. QRP all the way for those situations. And very very rarely will I not make enough contacts to activate a park QRP. If you have a good antenna, which we really should focus way more on than the radio, you should do quite fine.
I have a Elecraft KX3 and it can pump out 15 watts on some bands so buying an amp may not give me much. Low power still gives you results when band conditions allow. If I were you I’d buy the 891 if you’re after a base station. Just be wary of the power drain and buy batteries to accommodate when portable. 73 Mike
The IC-705 is fun to operate for DX or contesting and sips power. To add some punch, I chose a compact 50 watt amp (Micro PA50). 50w is close enough to make most of the same contacts and will run for hours from a single 6 AH battery that you can carry on a plane. It really depends on how much you enjoy CW and lightweight portable QRP. For mobile SSB you need more power and will likely be happier adding an FT-891 to your collection.
I've been considering the Micro PA50 for my upcoming birthday. Are you having good results with it??
@@SteveBerwick I used the Micro PA50 pretty extensively on a recent trip to Aruba with good results. Some observations: It worked well for CW and SSB but would overheat quickly on FT8 (the outdoor temp in Aruba is around 29 C, the amp shuts down above 50 C). The input does not appear to be tuned. The SWR to the IC-705 would vary from about 1.3:1 to almost 2:1 depending on the band. The drive level needed varies by band so may need adjustment when switching bands. If the drive level is too high the amp will shutdown and beep until you restart it. On 20m it only needed about 2 watts when powered by a 6 AH LifePO4 battery (13.2v). Battery life was no problem. With the amplifier off-line, the last LPF might still be active. I had to put it back online momentarily to switch the LPF to hear the band come up in the receiver. It's a computer running firmware. If you get into a weird state, just hot plug it to restart the software.
Overall the Micro PA50 made a huge difference in my ability to contact other stations. Using the amp most moderate to strong signals would return my calls. Without it, making CW contacts was a struggle. At $175 it's a good value for travel and did the job, but not without flaws.
The assignment for this amp was affordable, small, and easy to pack. If you don't need small and easy to pack I might pick something better but it will cost you a lot more.
@@petersichel9934 Thanks Peter. It's good to know about those quirks upfront. Something I'll consider for sure. I was between the PA50 and the (much) more expensive XPA125B. I am looking to create more of a 'base station' while at home with a little more juice. But to be honest, the price of the XPA125B makes me lean towards just getting a 7300 on sale. Then I'd have two great radios!... decisions decisions.
I love the fact that you quote TPB on the regular 😂
Lol glad someone got the reference!
@@hamradiotube I’m a rural Canadian, TPB is essential reading where I come from! 🤣
I've given up on my xiegus. I'll probably donate to my club or give to some needy new hams. They work great but juat a much better operating experience with my yaesus (i have 891 and ftdx10). I use tuned antennas like you, but i have a the ldg z100 small and easy to pack. So for me, its my FX-4CR for QRP and my FT-891 for all else. I also have an FT-450d which aint bad at all for portable ops. But yah, i think im just done with xiegu. Now wouldnt it be great if yaesu could fit a tuner as good as the g90's inside the ft-891 case? How much would that be worth?
I can't say enough good things about my 891. It can be a base, mobile, or portable 100 watt rig. Before I bought mine I researched on RUclips. There are so many ham radio RUclips operators that either have owned or do own a 891, that should say enough. It's just a good basic, reasonably priced radio.
If the 705 was 20 watt and had real batteries....oh well...
However the ease and option of a Hardrock 50 with built in 10-1 atu is a sweet option, and offers more diversity than a 100 watt stand alone rig.
There's pros n cons to every setup.
Makes more sense to get the 891. It's easier to carry one piece of kit than 2.
And it is of course more power hungry and heavier.
My first radio was an 891. Then 705 and 7300. That would be the entire gammet there.
I've thought long and hard of getting an amp to go with my FT-817. The end result is just stick with my 7300. Simplicity of setup wins every time. If I want to go QRP, I just bring the 817. If I want QRO, I bring the 7300. If I need to travel light, then it's QRP. An amp for the 817 and bigger battery is approaching the volume of 7300 and I'm right back at just bring the 7300.
I also love spending other people's money; go for the Ft-891. . . . . Now here's the "mission creep"; an IC-7300 or FT-710 are only a little over $300 more than an 891; just sayin'
Yeah but they're also a lot bigger...
There are 1.2 S units between 20W and 100W. Thats why I will be doing POTA in the future with an FX-4CR. Everything is smaller and lighter.
yeah but what if you need 1.3 S units lol?
Then I'll whip out the fT897D@@hamradiotube
...currently the XPA125b costs around 700.-€ in Germany. If you now add the price of the Xiegu but the whole package is quite expensive....
It is therefore cheaper and probably better to buy the FT891.......
Buy the FT-891, I am really thinking about one as well.
You don't own an 891 yet?
@@hamradiotube almost everything but that.
nice video. yes get 100 watt radio. less to carry and go bad. for that USB C port there is also a 65W PD one on amazon. this give more power. also they also have a 100 watt PD one with lighter plug on it. cut that lighter plug off and put power pole on it. plug into battery box. or just use that lighter port but that comes loose so you just have to push it in from time to time. also amazon has a lighter plug to USB C 65 watt adapter you can use in car or battery box. now some make QRM in HF bands. just put ferrite on USB C buy the power port. just wrap USB C cable threw a torrid a few times . most newer laptops can be converted to USB C . HP, DELL GATAWAY . amazon has cables for them. inverters will draw your battery box down. ok in a running car. I have 17 in HP laptop with USB C cable and my 20 ah battery box runs it for DAYS ! with 65W PD . how I am running not to do you tube. I am totally off grid. solar or car or wind charging. I have been grid free for over 5 years now ! and I am in Boston NY . new York winters suck but wind power is great ! 73's
I had the same dilemma with my 705. I purchasing an 7300.
Amazon has 65w USB c panel mounts, they will charge and run your Mac book. I have 2, they work well. I didn't want to put a link here.
Do you get noise if operating while charging thingys with that USB C power delivery boi?
I do not.
I had a dilemma once, I traded it for a Buick! Hi Hi 73
Just hope it wasn't a '64 Buick Skylark Convertible with Michelin model XGV75R 14" tires on it. You might be wanted for murdering a convenience store clerk 🤣
The word is clunky. 😊
I carried a lot more weight and bulk before i got my 891. Now my radio bag is half of the size and weight, if that.
The 891 is so good that I've considered selling my 991a in my shack and double dutying my 891.
IMO.....Resonant antennas are always better than a tuner. !!!!
8:28 get a $400 Kenwood ts50 or the Yaesu ft891, dont get the amp, just don’t 😂
LOTA = Lakes on the Air
30.5 “miles”! make that meters 😂KB2GCG
I flashed Meters across the screen for like 2 frames!
Charge a Mac? Have you tried a hammer?
Ohh boy, thems are fighting words there
If you want 100W go for a 100W. QRP is frustrant.
"Only 891"✔➕➕➕➕➕