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I am not sure if this is the right forum, but trying here….
As folks know I am getting started on this hobby…. I am currently on a remote island called Monhegan about 1 hour out from Maine… I took a Yaesu 818ND, my RSP and a SuperAntenna to “experiment” and learn…
I am impressed that I can pick up so many “stations” on 40 meters during my first trials.. with this antenna… both on the 818 and on the RSP…
One of the mistakes I did was to not bring a DC power supply for the Yaesu as the current batteries only yield 2.5watts… the AC adapter is ONLY for charging the batteries and not for operating the radio…
So I have tried unsuccessfully to connect with the various folks I can hear as well as calling CQ on my own… I have not made any contacts (yet) and was wondering if 2.5W is just not going to cut it even to get over to the mainland… maybe Rockland, Maine or Camden?
Tomorrow I will take the antenna to the top of the island to see if I can have better luck making contact.
Needless to say, I tried to make contact or even hear anything on the 10m checkin at 830pm on Sunday… zipo… I will be in Portsmouth, NH next Sunday and was thinking of trying there… same setup… wondering if I should not even bother with 2.5w output power of the 818nd (battery) unless I order a power supply and have it delivered to Portsmouth…
In the meantime I am enjoying learning the setup of the superantenna and how it behaves in different configurations… will be playing with a portable EmComm iii as well…
In closing, wondering how active these forums are supposed to be or where people ask these types of questions or if people learn from posting here versus other places… (qrz.com, etc)
Cheers and 73 🙂
Hello Miguel,
Welcome to the forum.
The 818 will operate down to 9.6V so 12V shouldn’t be a problem. Also 2.5w is only 3.8 dB less than the full 6w. This is only about 1/2 a S unit at the receiving station.
QRP is always a challenge, that is part of the fun. From that location someone on 40m should hear you. I suspect the antenna may be an issue.
At QRP power levels the antenna becomes even more important. You should have a SWR less than 2:1, anything less than 1.6:1 would be great. Placement of the antenna is also important.
I’m not familar with the “super antenna”. What type of antenna is it and how high is it mounted?
When I operate QRP and call CQ I add QRP after my call sign. I find OMs are reluctant to work weak signals but like it when it is a QRP station. Also you are a IOTA.
<p style=”text-align: right;”>Monhegan should be better than Portland since the noise level is probably lower and you are transmitting over salt water with no obstructions.</p>
Now 10m is a real challenge, even with a beam and 100w.If you let me know a time and freq on 20m or 40m I’ll listen for you tomorrow. From 5PM to 9:30PM I will be QRT.
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