The QRPer Board

The 20' length I mentioned in my reply.

Why? Cause it was the first one I hit when I searched!

I don't think you will see much difference when using short runs (around 25' or so). I have heard 316 is tougher, but it's also more expensive. I have a 20' length of 174 that's going on 5 years and about 100 outings. Never had any issues with it.

Good luck!

You didn't say what transformer you are using, or whether commercial or home made. I went looking at commercial ones online and none of them had a way of anchoring your wire to leave slack on the connection! Some had a eyebolt to hang the transformer from. I guess you could loop your wire thru that....

Hi Roy My antennas are usually 26 or 28 gauge wire. I add 30 to 40 cm of heavier wire at the transformer end to compensate for the rough handling and bending it can be subject to. Remember this adds to your antenna length, so you have to subtract that length from the far end of the wire. I tie a kno...

Maybe a cupholder mount or seat bracket mount? DX Engineering has quite a selection and Amazon came in up in my search also.

73 n GL

RG-316? https://www.amazon.com/CablesOnline-25ft-RG316-Cable-RF-BC125/dp/B078LSDG6V/ref=asc_df_B078LSDG6V/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563688069599&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15400839869811362086&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvl...

I use DX Engineering for pre-assembled stuff.
Good quality and fast shipping. Never a problem.

https://www.dxengineering.com/search/pa ... terial/fep

73

I forgot to add that this is a great time to try QRP and POTA. The solar cycle is in your favor. With POTA, you can spot yourself on the websites and people will be searching you out!
Have realistic expectations and good antennas

I started with QRP. I was a single parent, money was tight. I found a Heathkit HW-7 for 35 bucks and was on my way! It took 2 weeks calling CQ before I made my first contact. It was more me trying to figure out the radio than anything else. Turned out the first contact was only 2 blocks away! If you...

Since you're running from your car, maybe try an antenna mount right on the car. It will beat any ground plane you can lay out under the tripod by a lot!