I carry allot of gear.  My mind plans in depth, a trait I developed in the Marines, to account for every possible circumstance then lay in reasonable contingencies for each.  My thoughts swirl with, “If this happens, I’ll do that – if that happens, I’ll do this.”  As a result, I carry a ton of stuff in my radio backpack.  On field day, you should probably keep me close.  If you need something, I probably brought it.

The whole thing sounds thoughtful and well planned, but it’s a handicap.  And it’s expensive.

 I list my gear in these park reports. Filming my videos, I lay everything on the table and tidy up by tucking my day pack away.  Turns out, I don’t recall ever going back to the pack for “something I needed”.  On the table, there’s a battery, a feedline, a radio, paddles, an antenna, maybe a mast or throw bag, and a pencil.  I mean, that’s it – that’s all I use.  I just don’t use any of the other junk I carry.

So last night, I laid out my gear like I’m activating, packed it up, and stuffed it into my day pack.  That’s it.  And it worked.  Today, I had everything I needed, nothing more, nothing less.

I have to be honest, I also brought three hanks of paracord.  And a backup pocket knife.  And three, giant twist ties.  And a first aid kit…. And a hankie.

In the car, I had three other EFHW antennas, two telescoping masts, three 20Ah LiPo batteries, and antenna analyzer, and ham sticks for 20 and 40 … just in case.  I won’t get in to the woodcraft/camping type stuff I carry in there every single day.

It just struck me, what’s the point in learning CW and running QRP if I’m going to pack for DXpedition.

Feel free to find this video and others at DitWit Portable Radio – YouTube

Load Out:

Elecraft KX2
3 Ah LiPo Battery
BamaKey TP-III
Packtenna EFRW
RG-316
POTA20 Carbon Fiber Mast

Knowing 40m and its harmonics might be really crowded with the CQ WW Contest, I noodled around 20 and was surprised by a quiet  space at 14063.5, called QRL a few times, and got going with CQ POTA.  It was a slow start, as it often is at 5 watts.  W5KEB from Jonesboro, Arkansas was first to come back.  And here’s an odd thing.

14 hunters found me on 20 and they were all pretty slow.  That’s certainly no bad thing, speed just means faster, not smarter.  But it was noticeable to me that I added some Farnsworth to most every Q.  I wonder if the speed-o hunters were occupied with the contest and left POTA to the non-contesty types like me.  Whatever, I made some new acquaintances and OM’d at a few regulars.  I found two QSOs on 17m and called QRT.

Hands down a great morning.  The weather was spectacular, bright and sunny but chilly enough for flannel and long britches. No wind to speak of, something you can’t take for granted at Sandy Point.

As always,
TNX ES 73
KA5TXN

DitWit