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Sounds like fun, Michael. Here are a couple thoughts. Last year
we operated MMM for the very first time and we were in the far north
& west of Wisconsin. HF and VHF. Turned out hardly anyone on
2m. So we learned a lot from these experiences and have made major
adjustments this season.<br>
<br>
I'm sure your logging software is fine. We use N3FJP. We even made
contact with Scott as one of our WIQP QSOs last year.<br>
<br>
Last year we ran two laptops for logging and used a 12VDC-to-120VAC
power inverter which worked fine. That plus the cables for the two
rigs were wired directly to the battery, of course, with fusing.<br>
<br>
Since you operating QRP you could do very well with a LiFePO4
battery. That is what we use for SOTA operations during the summer,
and that holds up well for shorter-term 100W SSB operations.<br>
<br>
For your QRP use, you could run all day on CW QRP with a LiFePO4
battery. I like to use Battery Tender. I add a gauge in line to
monitor Watt-hour use. It's much like watching the car gas gauge.
I can get 96 W-h of use. <br>
<br>
In addition, for my KX3 which I'll be using for digital operations
in Orlando next month indoors with an AlexLoop magnetic loop
antenna, I will use a Winbook table. These tiny 8" tablets are
becoming popular for ham operations. I bought from Amazon a
12v-to-5v converter, so now all I need to do is also attach that
with a splitter using Anderson PowerPoles to the LiFePO4 battery. <br>
<br>
Hence, you could easily run your entire WIQP in those 5 counties
with just that battery and a few accessories. <br>
<br>
I hope that gives you another set of ideas to consider.<br>
<br>
FYI, we will once again operate as KD9CSI.<br>
<br>
73,<br>
<br>
Larry WB9KMW<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 1/28/2016 11:45 AM, Michael Johnson
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CA+mQxmgQQicF0DwqfXsmbjShPj1pS=X6CtMAs=+2p3RwvpXpAw@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">I'm not sure exactly what I'm stirring up here, but
here goes. I'm planning on doing a rover operation in the WIQP
this year. Never done one before so I am literally starting at
ground zero. I am looking for any sort of advice, counsel,
warnings...whatever might be helpful.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I've been working this out for a month or so now, and I've
got a plan in place, so at least that's a start. I've got a
route figured out that will take me to 5 counties. I am
planning on running a CW QRP operation and will be using N!MM
for logging and keying the radio. I'm a bit concerned about
the laptop battery duration, so I will incorporate a power
inverter in the equipment. For the radio, I will be using
battery power and have 4 battery packs which will provide
about 13 Ah of power. I've also got a battery charger that I
can bring along to top off discharged units. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I'll be running this solo and plan not to operate mobile.
As mentioned before, I've got the route planned with suitable
stopping places to allow me to set up an antenna. The antenna
will be an end fed wire antenna supported with a "Wonderpole"
and works on 20, 40 and 80. Not planning on finding trees.
The pole and support stand set up and break down very
quickly. The way the route works out, I've got 10-15 minutes
driving time between setups and figure station setup will take
5-10 minutes with another 5 minutes to break it down. So each
setup burns roughly 30 minutes which takes up about 2 hours of
the contest time. Puts me on the air for roughly 5 hours max.
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>My goals are really simple: Survive and have a good time.
Worry about the score another time. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>So what am I missing? Does this have any chance of working
per plan?</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Thanks.<br clear="all">
<div>
<div class="gmail_signature"><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_signature">MJ, WO9B</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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