QRP equipment I use or have used.

Radios

I have just procured a R928 plus SDR based portable QRP radio to potentially replace my aging FT-817, lets see how it shapes up!

Really nice display

Great RX as well!

My secondary QRP radio is the Yaesu FT-817, I also sometimes, depending on how far I need to carry it, use my old Icom IC-706mk2 or Yaesu FT-857/897. I also have a military surplus man-pack (Grinel TR-178) that seems to be really power efficient, I will try it on an outing soon.

The trusty FT-817

My old IC-706mk2, still works well as a QRP radio.

Batteries

For hiking trips I use 4 cell 6Ah Lipo battery packs. When I do not need to carry the equipment far I would use 17 or 27Ah gel cell batteries. If I operate close to my motor vehicle I also sometimes use the battery in the car/SUV.

Antennas

I have been using a multi band "fan" dipole for 10, 15, 20 and 40m most of the time. I am also planning to try a 6-40m end fed wire soon.

Tuners

In the past I used the AT-180 that works with the Icom IC-706. These days I am using the superb LDG AT-100 Pro II tuner with the FT-817 to fine tune antennas once they are up in the trees,

Other

For antenna support I prefer to use a tree or two but in some places, like the Namib desert, there are no trees so I use a light fiber glass collapsible pole, 6m long, it works well and is easy to carry.

I am using a homebrew paddle at the moment but I am looking for a nice brass version.

(c)R Venter 2014-2023