KB0VCC's
OHR-100 (40m version)
My "Backpack" Rig.
Notice the chrome-like finish. It's shinier than this photo makes
it appear, due to the focal distance to the reflected image. It
was originally black, but once I put the first scratch in the cover,
I decided to strip and polish it. Since this rig will be used
outside and possibly in direct sunlight, I thought to aid in
temperature stability, a reflective surface would be best. It
is also shiny enough to use as a signal mirror if necessary,
eliminating one piece of survival equipment to carry on backcountry
operation excursions. hi hi.
Visible in the top is an AADE digital display. I chose this
display over OHR's DD-1 because it utilized an LCD display
instead of the DD-1's LED display. LCD is visible even in
direct sunlight. A must for outdoor operation.
The only other mod to this rig is the tuning pot. I replaced the
original 100K single turn pot with a 10-turn 100K to provide
vernier-like tuning. Tho' this violates the markings on the tuning
dial, frequency is accurately (within 100Hz) displayed on the
forementioned display.
I realize there are smaller QRP rigs that may be better to backpack
with, but I feel the OHR-100 provides the performance I've come
to expect from the ham gear I use.
My handywork inside.
Dazzling, isn't it!
My portable dipole/inverted-vee.
It utilizes two Radio-Shack wind up SWL antennas. I had to add
about 10' of wire to each spool for proper matching on 40m. They connect
to the coax via BNC connections with nylon strain reliefs. One to the
shield and the other to the center conductor. There is a 10K Ohm resistor
shunted across the connection to bleed off the static charge I'm likely to
pick up on a windy day at 14K feet. Due to the weight of the connections
I chose for this design, the antenna isn't as light (ie. trail friendly)
as it could be, but I feel that is made up in durability and the ease of
assembly and disassembly. A serious consideration for operation where
sudden severe WX is a possibility.