Well, I haven't been taking along a computer when I operate QRP Portable
because my laptop is an energy hog. It uses 19 volts DC. I built a power
inverter to change 12 to 19 volts. It draws 4 amps at 12 volts. That's too
much of a battery drain. Also, I don't know where to put it in my car when
it's packed with equipment and antennas for 10 bands.
But I'm interested in using FT4/8 if needed in one of these contests.
Especially since I am very happy with the performance of my recently
acquired FT897D. I could easily make a connector for it. So I have a
question. Are any other Rover/Portable stations using some sort of computer
that is small (like a Raspberry Pi) and doesn't draw a lot of current? I
would really be interested in putting something like that together. I'd
like some recommendations.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Wed, Jan 20, 2021 at 9:53 AM <chetsubaccount@snet.net> wrote:
> I must be doing something wrong.
>
> FT8 is supposed to be dull, the computer does all the work and shovels
> contacts into your log while you eat donuts with coffee.
>
> When I am using FT8, I have both 6M and 2M going on it using more than one
> antenna on each band. I am continuously looking from window to window to
> see
> what is coming in from where, and if I want/need it then switch to or
> rotate
> an antenna that will favor my chances of logging that QSO without screwing
> up the other band. Check what grids are needed and move an antenna that way
> to occasionally favor that direction. Look at telnet spots. Try the other
> sequence. Are 6M E's now strong? Time to switch to SSB or CW? Are you sure
> the other station heard your RR73? If not take back manual control of the
> TX
> message and send that a few more times. Don't click "log it" yet. Decide
> when to give up, clear the messages, and restart a CQ. Yell at the screen.
> Constantly on the go. An hour or two of doing this takes much more energy
> than being on USB eating donuts with coffee while pushing the F1 key to
> send
> your CQ message.
>
> I must be doing something wrong.but having a lot of fun.
>
> 73,
> Chet, N8RA
>
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