Packable POTA Field Kits

Would you like to share your field kit or field reports with others? Please share it here. We will pick some of these to share on QRPer.com as well so please include your callsign so we can contact you!
Post Reply
Brian - K3ES
Posts: 87
Joined: Fri May 27, 2022 12:55 pm
Location: NW Pennsylvania

Packable POTA Field Kits

Post by Brian - K3ES »

I have 3 QRP radios that support my POTA habit, a TX-500, a TR-35, and a KX2. I built a field kit around each rig, so they are ready to go for an activation whenever time and weather permit. I find it difficult to choose between rigs, because they each have their own appeal. I have noticed myself gravitating toward the KX2 of late, simply because its kit is the lightest and most compact of the three. Here is an overview of my KX2 go-kit for POTA in the Pennsylvania woods. I will try to do the same for the other kits as time permits.

Bag: US M7 light weight Gas Mask pouch. WWII vintage, canvas construction, and nigh on indestructible.
Radio: Elecraft KX2 with internal tuner.
Power: Internal Li-Ion battery, external power cable, and Bioenno 3 Ah LiFePO4 battery.
Key: N0SA SP-X paddles with magnetic return.
Earphones: eBay's cheapest stereo earbuds.
Antennas: Packtenna 9:1 with 71 ft random wire, and Tufteln 9:1 with 35 ft random wire and 17 ft counterpoise.
Extensions: Two 3 ft 3.5 mm stereo female to male extension cords suitable for key or earbuds.
Feedline: Two 15 ft lengths of RG-316 with BNC connectors.
Throw Line: Small Weaver Pouch with 80 ft of Marlow Excel line and 8 oz throw bag.
Cordage: 3 short lengths of 2mm nylon cord and a plastic tent stake for antenna support.
Logging: Rite in the Rain 4 x 6 inch notebook and Pentel 0.9 mm pencil with twist-up eraser.
Clipboard: Homebrew 7-1/2 x 12 inch Lexan board with spring clip.
Case: Harbor Freight Apache 550 Weatherproof Clear Case.
Attachments
KX2 on the air for POTA in K-1345.
KX2 on the air for POTA in K-1345.
Resize_20220814_154731_1980.jpg (160.05 KiB) Viewed 8006 times
KX2 kit items before packing, with M7 Bag.
KX2 kit items before packing, with M7 Bag.
Resize_20220814_154732_2071.jpg (161.01 KiB) Viewed 8006 times
KX2 kit packed in M7 Bag.
KX2 kit packed in M7 Bag.
Resize_20220814_154732_2487.jpg (144.64 KiB) Viewed 8006 times
KX2 ready to go in M7 Bag, with folding chair and hat.
KX2 ready to go in M7 Bag, with folding chair and hat.
Resize_20220814_154732_2160.jpg (159.05 KiB) Viewed 8006 times
KX2 and accouterments with 550 case.
KX2 and accouterments with 550 case.
Resize_20220814_154732_2324.jpg (148.72 KiB) Viewed 8006 times
550 case packed and sealed with KX2 and accouterments.
550 case packed and sealed with KX2 and accouterments.
Resize_20220814_154732_2408.jpg (148.91 KiB) Viewed 8006 times
M0RGM
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2022 2:28 pm

Re: Packable POTA Field Kits

Post by M0RGM »

Interesting report Brian, I manage to get my KX2 and all the bits I need in the ES60 case, but I recognise everyone's needs are different.

I'd be interested in your TR-35 setup as a new TR-35 owner.

Richard M0RGM
Brian - K3ES
Posts: 87
Joined: Fri May 27, 2022 12:55 pm
Location: NW Pennsylvania

Re: Packable POTA Field Kits

Post by Brian - K3ES »

M0RGM wrote: Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:34 pm Interesting report Brian, I manage to get my KX2 and all the bits I need in the ES60 case, but I recognise everyone's needs are different.

I'd be interested in your TR-35 setup as a new TR-35 owner.

Richard M0RGM
Richard,

I will work on documenting the TR-35 kit next.

73 de Brian - K3ES
Brian - K3ES
Posts: 87
Joined: Fri May 27, 2022 12:55 pm
Location: NW Pennsylvania

Re: Packable POTA Field Kits

Post by Brian - K3ES »

TR-35 GO-KIT for POTA in the Pennsylvania woods.

Bag: Generic tactical daypack – very cheap ($15) and non-branded, but was in my inventory, and has proven sturdy in use.
Radio: Penntek TR-35
Power: Power cable and Bioenno 3 Ah LiFePO4 battery.
Key: CW Morse Outdoor Paddles
Earphones: Sony stereo ear-buds in a case with built-in winder. Re-purposed for this go-kit.
Antenna: Homebrew 9:1 40m EFHW (20m is resonant as a harmonic), with links for 30m and 17m.
Extensions: Two 3 ft 3.5 mm stereo female to male extension cords suitable for key or earbuds.
Feedline: Two 15 ft lengths of RG-316 with BNC connectors.
Throw Line: Small Weaver Pouch with 80 ft of Marlow Excel line and 14 oz throw bag.
Cordage: multiple short lengths of 550 paracord and a plastic tent stake for antenna support.
Logging: Rite in the Rain 4 x 6 inch notebook and Pentel 0.9 mm pencil with twist-up eraser. Spare generic 0.9 mm pencil with eraser.
Clipboard: Standard letter-sized clip board.
Case: Harbor Freight Right Keeper NO-66 plastic storage tray.
Misc: USB powerpack and cord for charging cell phone, 30 gal garbage bag for seating and rain protection, 1 gal zip seal bag for water proofing, wire ties.
Attachments
Contents of TR-35 Go-Kit with tactical daypack.
Contents of TR-35 Go-Kit with tactical daypack.
Compress_20220817_160236_6393.jpg (241.69 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
Small pocket of tactical daypack, with logbook, pencils, etc.
Small pocket of tactical daypack, with logbook, pencils, etc.
Compress_20220817_160232_2686-R.jpg (246.69 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
Medium pocket of tactical daypack with TR-35 accouterments kit and battery.
Medium pocket of tactical daypack with TR-35 accouterments kit and battery.
Compress_20220817_160231_1622-R.jpg (238.4 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
Large pocket of tactical daypack with clipboard, throw line bag, antenna, etc.
Large pocket of tactical daypack with clipboard, throw line bag, antenna, etc.
Compress_20220817_160230_0483-R.jpg (235.12 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
TR-35 ready to go in generic tactical daypack, with folding chair and hat.
TR-35 ready to go in generic tactical daypack, with folding chair and hat.
Compress_20220817_160237_7252.jpg (192.1 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
TR-35 and accouterments with plastic storage tray.
TR-35 and accouterments with plastic storage tray.
Compress_20220817_160235_5427-R.jpg (232.51 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
TR-35 and accouterments enclosed in plastic storage tray.
TR-35 and accouterments enclosed in plastic storage tray.
Compress_20220817_160233_3599-R.jpg (231.59 KiB) Viewed 7952 times
M0RGM
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2022 2:28 pm

Re: Packable POTA Field Kits

Post by M0RGM »

Brian,

Many thanks for sharing. Some significant similarities with my own kit (less hat and chair)!

Richard M0RGM
Brian - K3ES
Posts: 87
Joined: Fri May 27, 2022 12:55 pm
Location: NW Pennsylvania

Re: Packable POTA Field Kits

Post by Brian - K3ES »

M0RGM wrote: Thu Aug 18, 2022 4:08 pm Brian,

Many thanks for sharing. Some significant similarities with my own kit (less hat and chair)!

Richard M0RGM
Lol, I figured the hat and chair would be useful to show size comparison of the 3 kits. The TX-500 kit is a bit larger and more complicated, but it will come next.
Post Reply