Final week, in response to a reader’s query right here on QRPer.com, I used to be reminded that I hadn’t but made a video particularly about my Mountain Topper MTR-3B SOTA subject equipment.
Yesterday, I made a brief video (see beneath) the place I present what I pack in my MTR-3B subject equipment and why I select to accommodate it in a Pelican 1060 case.
First, let’s have a look at a listing of the gear, then I’ll speak about what went into my selections, and I’ll hyperlink to the video.
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Self-Contained Watertight Area Equipment:
Non-obligatory Gear for SOTA/POTA:
Right here’s the philosophy behind my design selections on this equipment:
Pelican 1060 Case
I selected to accommodate this subject equipment in a Pelican 1060 Micro Case despite the fact that, at one pound, it weighs greater than the everyday pouch I additionally use for small subject radios. The Pelican, nevertheless, protects your entire radio equipment because it’s absolutely watertight and crush-proof. If I journey whereas fording a creek or fall and land on my pack, the Mountain Topper will likely be secure. Sure, there’s a mass/weight price, however I really feel it’s very minimal for the safety it gives.
Counterpoise-less Finish-Fed Half-Wave
After I construct the K6ARK EFHW antenna equipment for my MTR-3B, I selected to make it and not using a counterpoise. Though the antenna could be extra environment friendly with a devoted counterpoise and fewer liable to the consequences of physique capacitance, I really feel like the advantages of this design outweigh the compromises. For one factor, leaving off the counterpoise saves house contained in the Pelican case. As well as, by designing the antenna to connect on to the MTR-3B’s BNC port, there’s no want to incorporate a feedline, thus saving fairly a little bit of house.
To date, I’ve been very impressed with how forgiving this antenna has been and, most significantly, with how nicely it has carried out.
N6ARA SWR Meter
I embody the N6ARA MiniSWR in my subject equipment to offer me some peace of thoughts if my antenna deployment is compromised (for instance, if the timber on a summit are too small, and so forth.). Since my MTR-3B model has no built-in SWR metering, I really feel it is a significant addition tot he equipment.
Throw Line and Weight
At the very least 90% of the summits and parks I activate right here in western North Carolina have timber. To me, no subject equipment is really enough until I embody a throw line and weight. I discover that the Marlow KF1050 Excel 2mm Throwline is small, light-weight, and efficient—-25 meters is sufficient to deploy any wire antenna I’d stick with it a SOTA activation.
Many SOTA ops use a small sack that they place stones in to behave as a throw weight for his or her line. That is very intelligent since you don’t need to pack in that further 8 ounces on the roundtrip hike. Nonetheless, I just like the comfort of a throw weight that’s designed to glide via tree branches with ease–particularly if the tree is dense. If I have been to do a multi-day SOTA backpacking journey, I’d most likely use an empty throw sack as an alternative of a devoted weight.
Rechargeable 9 Volt Battery Packs
I really like these 9V rechargeable batteries. It’s arduous to consider that the MTR-3B can full 2-3 sometimes SOTA activations on one cost! Then once more, the MTR-3B makes use of one thing like 18ma in obtain? That’s loopy low present consumption. These batteries are tremendous light-weight and the actual model I take advantage of has by no means produced any RFI (I’ve learn that some others can). What’s finest is that I can recharge these simple by way of a USB-C cable.
The MTR-3B will function on 9 volts, which yields three watts of output energy.
Helinox Chair and Kneeboard
Sure, these are luxurious gadgets. I do know many SOTA ops who’re fairly joyful to take a seat on the bottom and stability their radio on their leg. Maybe it’s my age, however I don’t like doing this anymore as a result of my legs have a tendency to go to sleep and I lose feeling in them if not cautious.
My Helinox Zero chair weighs 1 lbs 2 oz (509 g). I really feel prefer it’s weight and mass well-spent. Since I file activation movies, the chair additionally provides me a significantly better place for my digicam angle (bonus!).
My Tufteln/N0RNM kneeboard is an important a part of my SOTA equipment. I by no means depart with out it. The chair and kneeboard combo provides me the pliability to arrange wherever, anytime. I like it.
Right here’s a video exhibiting the breakdown of my Mountain Topper MTR-3B SOTA subject equipment:
Click on right here to view on YouTube.
Thanks for studying my subject equipment put up and watching the video! I hope you loved it.
As at all times, I’d additionally prefer to ship a particular due to these of you who’ve been supporting the positioning and channel via Patreon, and the Espresso Fund. Whereas not a requirement, as my content material will at all times be free, I actually recognize the help.
When you’d prefer to see masses extra subject kits, take a look at our subject radio equipment gallery!
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
