Low Power QRP rigs

Discussion in 'Survival Communications' started by GrandpaDave, Dec 1, 2011.


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  1. GrandpaDave

    GrandpaDave Monkey++

    with all the talk you guys got me thinking about getting back into the hobby... and back when I was doing it I loved messing around with low power QRP... well I was surfing round to see what advances have been made over the years and found this

    The AP-80 An Alternative Pixie

    a QRP low-power transmitter and receiver that fits inside an Altoids tin.
    http://kd1jv.qrpradio.com/ap80/AP80.HTM​

     
    GrandpaDave, Dec 1, 2011
    #1
    dataman19, strunk and BTPost like this.
  2. Idahoser

    Idahoser Monkey+++ Founding Member

    yeah there's a ton of stuff like that that has a bit of my interest for the "someday" when I get around to it. I can see myself with a Tuna Tin 2 and a SW receiver at a picnic table.
     
    Idahoser, Dec 1, 2011
    #2
    BTPost likes this.
  3. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    This site has a bunch of links to QRP rig or kit manufacturers etc. I tested a few.

    K3WWP's QRP Rigs List
     
    Tikka, Dec 1, 2011
    #3
    dataman19 and BTPost like this.
  4. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    Rockmite

    The Rockmite is an easy kit and fits in a Altoids tin or you can purchase a very nice custom rig enclosure.

    I still like my 817 with an external audio filter and internal Collins filter. The price today - reflective of a dollar with TP - is more than I would care to pay...

    http://smallwonderlabs.com/Rockmite.htm
     
    DKR, Dec 1, 2011
    #4
  5. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    817 is a great rig..

    The challenge is explaining what all that means to non-hams. ;)
     
    Tikka, Dec 18, 2011
    #5
    Sapper John, dragonfly and ghrit like this.
  6. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Yeah, like me. I've heard the 817 touted before, what I have not figured out is whether or not it would be suitable for the "standard" monkey machine.
     
    ghrit, Dec 18, 2011
    #6
    dragonfly likes this.
  7. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Currently, it is useless without a license; however, in a shtf world highly useful. ;)

    I would not include a Ham transceiver in my inventory unless I had the knowledge and skill to use it. Very few preppers believe learn after you need the knowledge.
     
    Tikka, Dec 18, 2011
    #7
  8. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    [beer]
    If 'twere me, I'd do as I did with the CB rig back in the old days, buy, install and listen for a while to learn a bit of the operation. Having the hardware to hand while learning sure beats visualizing something you've never had your hands on. When things go out of round, WROL says no license necessary other than a bit of common sense and courtesy if there's any left. While waiting for that glorious day, I'd work on getting my ticket so I could legally transmit.

    That said, what means "low power"?
     
    ghrit, Dec 18, 2011
    #8
    dragonfly likes this.
  9. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Heck I did it also; stacked PDL-2s and a Siltronix 1011C.

    When I said SWR wasn't as important for SWL as it is for RX/TX is correct. I was doing some listening and an S3 signal became an S7 signal by adjusting the antenna tuner.
     
    Tikka, Dec 18, 2011
    #9
  10. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    ghrit, Low Power, in the Ham World, is usually considered anything less that 25 Watts RF Output, at the Antenna Terminal. QRP which is Low Low Power, is usually considered anything less than 5 watts, at the Antenna Terminal. High Power is usually considered 100 Watts, or up to 150 watts, and BIG TALK Power (or Full Gallon) is anything between there, and the full 1KW Legal Limit. ..... YMMV.... and the 814 is a Low Power Radio.... but a very good start for ANYONE....
     
    BTPost, Dec 18, 2011
    #10
    dragonfly likes this.
  11. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    So, is it fair to say the 817 would work with a (say) bumper hitch whip on the road, and with some other arrangement at the house with a linear?
     
    ghrit, Dec 18, 2011
    #11
  12. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Yep and I think our Fearless Leader, (Admin) uses that specific system, for his Comms Prep's.... If I am not mistaken...

    A 12 Vdc, 100 Watt, Linear Amplifier for 2-30 Mhz, doesn't cost all that much, compared to the Radio itself, and could be added as money was available.
     
    BTPost, Dec 18, 2011
    #12
  13. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    General coverage receiever


    If nothing else, the 817 covers all of HF 2-30 MHz AM/SSB and 30 to 500+ Mhz in FM/FMwide/AM/SSB

    So you can listen to
    AM broadcast
    FM broadcast
    Weather
    All of the shortwave broadcasting that's left
    Utility stations
    Air to Air HF
    Air to ground HF
    military HF
    Maritime traffic

    All the public service bands.

    And lots more.

    The -817 offers a very stable, very sensitive and selective receiver. I would arguer that if the rig sold for 300 USD, it would be worth that for the receiver alone. I have added the Collins mechanical SSB filters for sharper CW/PSK 31 reception.

    THe rig even has IF shift! THe tiny-weenie controls and small display are a turn off to some./

    Bit IF I had to chose between by Sangean ATS909 and the -817 - the little 817 wins every time....I have posted my backpack commo ruck in other threads.

    So, ya, QRP works, you just have to work hard to get a good antenna up and have some patience.
     
    DKR, Dec 18, 2011
    #13
    BTPost likes this.
  14. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    The 817 will do weak signal work which I doubt even a Grundig Satellit series would match out what the 817 does.

    Tell them, the controls have to be small or it would be the size of a mobile.. ;)

    I know what you mean about filters; my Kenwood has International Radio 8-pole crystal filters.
    QRP can be fun. IMO, good antennas are a requirement. No matter if it is one watt, 100 watts, a kilowatt or just listening a well matched antenna will do better. ;)
     
    Tikka, Dec 18, 2011
    #14
  15. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    small because the radio is small


    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSocFQnzbqVxEyC8YHj59iM78ucr3jlnb4VN175t5ENsioFLCAyow


    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS95CUBscruSORP1KNjbxnyefqAmoqPtvuCFWXP9SiLaDPbIyr-

    Most older hams with bad eyesight fuss about the controls. (shrug) The controls work for me, besides, the radio has a data port for remote control, so it can be a non-issue if yu are tech-savvy enough to use the port.
    Sadly, most hams are not.l
     
    DKR, Dec 18, 2011
    #15
  16. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    That is a very nice rig.

    They should buy glasses. When I was younger and active in a Club I noticed it was more a lack of interest in anything "new" than loss of eye sight.

    Probably because I cannot change matters I don't concern myself with the skill or lack thereof of others.
     
    Tikka, Dec 18, 2011
    #16
  17. GrandpaDave

    GrandpaDave Monkey++

    Hey I just thought of something that might help build interest... especially with the tin-foil hat crowd....

    Did you know we Hams have our own weired and unexplained... we call them ...

    Number Stations...

    From Wiki
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station

    Number Stations are also acknowledged for espionage purposes in Robert Wallace and H. Keith Melton's Spycraft (p. 438):[8]
    Pretty cool stuff and their still doing it... although most if it has been digitized...

    So who wants to play spy???
    ​
     
    GrandpaDave, Dec 19, 2011
    #17
  18. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    The one time pads worked quite well. If the system is implemented correctly the messages are considered to be unbreakable.
     
    Tikka, Dec 19, 2011
    #18
  19. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    One Way Voice is valuable part of the MonkeyNet Secure Messaging System. We included that possibility, to support Traveling Monkeys, with Receive Only capabilities, while on the move. With the OnePad App, and pre-SHTF Distributed PADs, it can provide significant Secure Messaging, for Users that are Receive Only, and on the move. ..... YMMV....
     
    BTPost, Dec 19, 2011
    #19
  20. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    I have an 817
     
    melbo, Dec 19, 2011
    #20
    BTPost likes this.
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