Tag Archives: Mountain Topper MTR-3B

News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Travel

The Eternal Question: Which Radio Should I Pack?

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It’s a question as old as time itself:

“What radio should I take on vacation?”

This month, we’re heading out for a short vacation, and while I think I’ve already answered this question for myself, it’s always fun to explore the possibilities a bit further.

As you probably know, I’ve accumulated a fair number of QRP radios over the years—so many, in fact, that it’s borderline embarrassing. When people ask me how many radios I own, I tend to dodge the question. It feels a bit like admitting to an addiction! It’s the same feeling I get after the holidays when I finally total up how much I spent on gifts. Sometimes, it’s better not to know the number.

Less is more

Honestly, I’d be a happy camper with just my $125 TEN-TEC R4020 two-band, CW-only radio.

I told a friend recently that I’d honestly be content with just one radio from my collection.

I know that might sound surprising, especially since QRPer.com often showcases my radio “addiction.” But the truth is, aside from radios, backpacks, and books, I don’t accumulate many things. We intentionally live in a small house (by American standards), and we like to keep it uncluttered.

That said, most of the radios in my collection are ones I genuinely enjoy using. Any one of them could be my only radio, and I’d be happy. So choosing one radio for a vacation should be easy, right?

Not quite.

Almost every time I face this decision—“Which one should I take?”—a couple of radios consistently rise to the top of the list. I’ll share those choices in a moment, but I’d love to hear your thoughts: would you make the same choices, or would you pick something else?

Vacation Parameters

Before diving into my choices, here are a few details about this particular vacation:

  • It’s short—just four nights.
  • I haven’t been to this area in 17 years. (The destination is a surprise for my daughters, so I’m keeping it under wraps for now!)
  • This is a road trip. Since our beloved Subaru is out of commission and not yet replaced, we’ll be taking our Volvo C40, which has much less cargo space.
  • With four people and Hazel (our dog), the trunk/boot will be crammed. I won’t be able to squirrel away extra radios like I’ve been known to do on longer trips.
  • I’ll likely only have time for two POTA activations. The focus of this trip is family time, so any activations will be short.
  • I’ve never visited the POTA sites we’ll likely visit, so I don’t know if wire antennas are allowed or what the conditions will be. One site is a historic/archeological area, so I’ll need a low-impact setup.

The Contenders

Given the tight space and limited time, I’ll only bring one radio. It needs to be versatile enough to handle unknown conditions and compact enough to fit with our packed gear.

The Mountain Toper MTR-3B

It’s hard to beat the MTR-3B for size. This ultra-compact, lightweight, self-contained kit is both impact and waterproof.

However, it lacks an internal ATU, so I’d be limited to wire antennas. Since I won’t have room for my MC-750 vertical, I’d need to rely on finding parks that allow wires in trees. I could call ahead to confirm, but this adds complexity.

The Penntek TR-45L.

The TR-45L is an excellent choice. It has a large internal battery that can easily handle 10 activations, an internal manual ATU, brilliant audio, and it’s nearly self-contained. Add a key and almost any antenna, and you’re good to go.

I’ve even used the AX1 antenna with the TR-45L, for low-impact setups. But like the MTR-3B, it’s CW-only, which eliminates SSB as an option. It’s also a bit larger than my other QRP radios, and I need to prioritize space.

It would also be nice to have a radio small enough to fit on my folding kneeboard.

The Elecraft KX3

The KX3 is an incredibly capable radio. It handles SSB, CW, and even digital modes like PSK-31 and RTTY without extra gear. It has an excellent internal ATU and pairs beautifully with the AX1 or a simple wire antenna. It’s small enough to fit on my folding kneeboard, too.

That said, there’s one radio that offers nearly the same capability as the KX3 but is even smaller and has an internal battery:

The Elecraft KX2

The KX2 is my go-to travel radio. It’s compact, versatile, and so capable it feels like the Swiss Army Knife of QRP radios.

Every time I travel, I try to talk myself out of bringing the KX2 just to mix things up, but it’s hard to argue with its convenience and reliability. For this trip, where time and space are limited, the KX2 is the clear winner.

I’ll pair it with a random wire antenna, the AX1, and a minimalist throw-line kit. This setup will allow me to adapt quickly to park conditions, even if wires aren’t permitted.

What about the KH1, Thomas?

Okay, I may sneak a second radio onto this trip.

The KH1 is so compact it can fit in my Pelican M40 case, which slides under the seat or into the glove compartment.

It’s my EDC radio, and I like having it on hand for impromptu pedestrian-mobile fun or when I want to work a friend who’s activating a park on the other side of the continent. Who knows?

What do you think?

The IC-705 might be a great choice, too. I’ve even paired it with the AX1 using a capacity hat.

While I know I could make any radio in my arsenal work, the KX2 takes the guesswork out of the equation. When time is limited, that means more time on the air!

Would you choose the KX2 for this mini-vacation, or do you think another radio would be better suited for the job? Please comment.

Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, Videos

Testing my MTR-3B field kit before a weekend of SOTA (spoiler: that never happened)

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Two days before Hurricane Helene impacted western North Carolina (Wednesday, September 25, 2024), I stopped by the Blue Ridge Parkway for a quick POTA activation to thoroughly test my MTR-3B self-contained field kit.

This was crucial, as I had plans to conduct multiple SOTA activations during the 2024 W4 SOTA campout in north Georgia the following week. (Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Helene, I had to cancel those plans.)

The importance of a full field trial

This is something I always emphasize during presentations about SOTA, POTA, or traveling with radio: don’t assume your field kit is complete and fully functional—you must test it to know for sure.

A field test confirms two things:

  1. You have everything you need inside your kit to complete an activation.
  2. Everything in the kit actually works.

When preparing for something like a SOTA weekend or a family vacation, I usually deploy each of my field kits either at home or a local park. I power up the radio and make at least one contact, essentially mimicking a real activation. If everything works, I know the kit is good to go!

This simple process is an incredibly effective way to ensure your gear is ready for action.

Blue Ridge Parkway (US-3788)

That Wednesday, I squeezed in the activation between errands in town. The Folk Art Center near Highway 70 in East Asheville is the perfect spot—it’s a quick and easy detour.

Or at least it was before Helene. Now, with two bridges damaged—especially one major bridge on Highway 70—the two-minute detour to the Folk Art Center has turned into a 15-25 minute round trip, depending on traffic. (You never realize how essential bridges are until they’re gone!)

I parked near the picnic area, grabbed my gear, and headed for my usual picnic table setup spot.

Unfortunately, it was absolutely crawling with ants—likely a result of spilled juice or food. I moved to the other picnic table in the same area.

Testing the MTR-3B Kit in Real-Time

In the video, you’ll see me use every piece of gear in the field kit, except for the “bare bones” arborist throw line and weight. Since I had my other Weaver throw line kit with me, I used it to save time. I’d recently tested and re-packed the throw line in the MTR-3B kit, so I already knew it was in working order.

Setup was quick and easy. Once I connected the antenna and powered up the radio, I used my N6ARA Tiny SWR Meter to confirm I had a good match—since the MTR-3B LCD lacks an SWR meter. Fortunately, I had a perfect impedance match.

Time to play radio!

Gear (MTR-3B Self-Contained Field Kit)

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Radio
Watertight Case
Antenna System
Key
Battery
Logging
Audio
  • Sennheiser earbuds with in-line analog volume control (discontinued 1999 model)
Backpack
Camera and Audio Recording

On The Air

I started calling CQ POTA on 20 meters, and within minutes, the contacts started rolling in. Woo-hoo! Continue reading Testing my MTR-3B field kit before a weekend of SOTA (spoiler: that never happened) →

Guest Posts, New Products, News

New Mountain Topper MTR-3B Details

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by Matt (W6CSN)

The Mountaintopper MTR-3B is a popular QRP portable HF transceiver that has a bit of “cult-ish” mystique about it. The radio seems to hit the sweet spot of size, weight, performance and capability desired by so many portable operators.

While I have operated the MTR-4B, and quite like it, I have yet to get my hands on the much vaunted 3B. Hopefully that’s about to change as LNR Precision has released details and pricing for the next iteration of this legendary radio.

LNR website showing the new MTR-3B “Curahee”

You can check the specs for yourself on the LNR Precision web site. What piques my interest is that the band plan adds 15 meters at the expense of 30 meter coverage and the integrated touch keyer eliminates the need to pack a set of paddles.

Things that I am wondering out loud:

  • Does plugging in paddles disable the touch sensors?
  • Can the frequency display be configured to show MHz?
  • What is the receive current draw?
  • How many “R”s in “Curahee”?

Perhaps the announced pre-release of the user manual will answer these questions.

What do you all think of what we’ve seen of this new Mountaintopper so far?

72 de W6CSN

Everyday Carry, Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios

KH1 to the Rescue! A postcard field report from Pisgah National Forest.

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On Friday afternoon (August 16, 2024), after dropping off one daughter at her volunteer job and the other at Shakespeare class, my wife and I had about 90 minutes of free time before the next scheduled activity.

We opted to visit the Sycamore Flats Picnic Area in Pisgah National Forest (US-4510) so that I could fit in a POTA activation while my wife caught up on a project she’d been working on.

The picnic area was bustling with activity–the busiest I’d seen it in a while. No doubt, everyone was out enjoying the beautiful weather and the last hurrah before many local kids head back to school. Nevertheless, we found a nice picnic table to set up and play radio.

I did not have all of my camera gear with me, so opted not to film this activation with my phone.

Since there’d be no video, it meant that I could operate with earphones and a minimal amount of extra gear. It’s nice to do this every so often!

On the way out the door, earlier that day, I grabbed my Mountain Topper MTR-3B field kit. The goal was to put it on the air since it had been a few months since I last used it. I like rotating out radios regularly so I don’t forget nuances of operating them while in the field.

The previous day, I also charged the two Li-Ion rechargeable batteries [affiliate link] that are stored in the MTR-3B Pelican case. At least I thought I charged them!

When I checked the batteries, they were both completely dead. Turns out, the USB charging station I’d connected them to the previous day was not plugged into an AC outlet. Doh!

This presented a little problem because the only other battery I had in my GR1 rucksack was a 3Ah LiFePo4 battery which likely pushed about 13.2VDC. The MTR-3B doesn’t care for voltages much higher than 12VDC–at least, if you are higher than 12V, you need to make darn sure you’ve got a great SWR match.

I was a bit bummed because I hadn’t packed a backup radio in the GR1 and I wasn’t driving the Subaru which has a Venus SW3B headrest field kit.

Hang on…

Then it hit me…I’ve got my EDC (Everyday Carry) radio with me: the Elecraft KH1! Woo hoo!

I went back to the car and grabbed my Trakke EDC bag.

Then pulled out the KH1 packed in my Tufteln-modified Pelican Micro M40 watertight case.

It is such a luxury to have a small, lightweight, and versatile radio always at the ready in the backpack I carry with me everywhere.

Since I’d already deployed my K6ARK 40 meter counterpoise-less end-fed half-wave [affiliate link], this was the antenna I connected to the KH1.

I also grabbed the Bamakey TP-III from my GR1 pack and the 3×5 Rite in the Rain Pad and Zebra mechanical pencil [again, affiliate links] from the MTR-3B kit (don’t worry, I returned these to their respective kits post-activation!).

I had announced this activation on the POTA website, so hypothetically, the RBN should auto-spot me.

I turned on the KH1, moved to the 20 meter band, and was tuning around looking for a clear frequency when I heard a station calling CQ POTA. Continue reading KH1 to the Rescue! A postcard field report from Pisgah National Forest. →

Field Radio Kits, Grab And Go, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, SOTA

Deep Dive: My Mountain Topper MTR-3B Watertight SOTA Field Kit

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Last week, in response to a reader’s question here on QRPer.com, I was reminded that I hadn’t yet made a video specifically about my Mountain Topper MTR-3B SOTA field kit.

Yesterday, I made a short video (see below) where I show what I pack in my MTR-3B field kit and why I choose to house it in a Pelican 1060 case.

First, let’s look at a list of the gear, then I’ll talk about what went into my choices, and I’ll link to the video.

Gear:

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Self-Contained Watertight Field Kit:

Optional Gear for SOTA/POTA:

Design Choices

Here’s the philosophy behind my design choices in this kit:

Pelican 1060 Case

I chose to house this field kit in a Pelican 1060 Micro Case even though, at one pound, it weighs more than the typical pouch I also use for small field radios. The Pelican, however, protects the entire radio kit as it’s fully watertight and crush-proof. If I trip while fording a creek or fall and land on my pack, the Mountain Topper will be safe. Yes, there’s a mass/weight cost, but I feel it’s very minimal for the protection it offers.

Counterpoise-less End-Fed Half-Wave

When I build the K6ARK EFHW antenna kit for my MTR-3B, I chose to make it without a counterpoise. Even though the antenna would be more efficient with a dedicated counterpoise and less prone to the effects of body capacitance, I feel like the benefits of this design outweigh the compromises. For one thing, leaving off the counterpoise saves space inside the Pelican case. In addition, by designing the antenna to attach directly to the MTR-3B’s BNC port, there’s no need to include a feedline, thus saving quite a bit of space.

So far, I’ve been very impressed with how forgiving this antenna has been and, most importantly, with how well it has performed.

N6ARA SWR Meter

I include the N6ARA MiniSWR  in my field kit to give me some peace of mind if my antenna deployment is compromised (for example, if the trees on a summit are too small, etc.). Since my MTR-3B version has no built-in SWR metering, I feel this is a meaningful addition tot he kit.

Throw Line and Weight

At least 90% of the summits and parks I activate here in western North Carolina have trees. To me, no field kit is truly sufficient unless I include a throw line and weight. I find that the Marlow KF1050 Excel 2mm Throwline is small, lightweight, and effective—-25 meters is enough to deploy any wire antenna I’d carry on a SOTA activation.

Many SOTA ops use a small sack that they place stones in to act as a throw weight for their line. This is very clever because you don’t have to pack in that extra 8 ounces on the roundtrip hike. Still, I like the convenience of a throw weight that’s designed to glide through tree branches with ease–especially if the tree is dense. If I were to do a multi-day SOTA backpacking trip, I’d probably use an empty throw sack instead of a dedicated weight.

Rechargeable 9 Volt Battery Packs

I love these 9V rechargeable batteries. It’s hard to believe that the MTR-3B can complete 2-3 typically SOTA activations on one charge! Then again, the MTR-3B uses something like 18ma in receive? That’s crazy low current consumption. These batteries are super lightweight and the particular brand I use has never produced any RFI (I’ve read that some others can). What’s best is that I can recharge these easy via a USB-C cable.

The MTR-3B will operate on nine volts, which yields three watts of output power.

Helinox Chair and Kneeboard

Yes, these are luxury items. I know many SOTA ops who are quite happy to sit on the ground and balance their radio on their leg. Perhaps it’s my age, but I don’t like doing this anymore because my legs tend to fall asleep and I lose feeling in them if not careful.

My Helinox Zero chair weighs 1 lbs 2 oz (509 g). I feel like it’s weight and mass well-spent. Since I record activation videos, the chair also gives me a much better position for my camera angle (bonus!).

My Tufteln/N0RNM kneeboard is an essential part of my SOTA kit. I never leave without it. The chair and kneeboard combo gives me the flexibility to set up anywhere, anytime. I love it.

Video

Here’s a video showing the breakdown of my Mountain Topper MTR-3B SOTA field kit:

Click here to view on YouTube.

Thank you!

 

Thank you for reading my field kit post and watching the video! I hope you enjoyed it.

As always, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.

If you’d like to see loads more field kits, check out our field radio kit gallery!

Thanks for spending part of your day with me!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)

New Products, News, QRP Radios

Did you know there’s a new MTR-3B in the works–?

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A reader reached out to me this morning asking about the Mountain Topper MTR-3B. It reminded me of a teaser LnR Precision posted earlier this month in an MTR-4B update on their website. Here’s what they said:

Update: 4/1/23: We do not have MTR4 V2.3 available for purchase now but will be releasing more for purchase on May 1, 2024.

Apologies on the delay but we needed more time to get parts that are in short supply and fabricate. This will be the only and last offering of the MTR4b V2.3 radios as we are shifting focus on a redesigned and re-engineered version of the popular MTR3B!

It is our hope to have these out in Fall of 2024 if possible, but no guarantees.

I’m very excited about this news! I own two MTR-3Bs and absolutely love this model. When I checked in with LnR a couple of years ago, they said they had no plans to produce the MTR-3B again. They must have noticed the strong customer demand.

I assume the new model might incorporate some of the upgrades found on the MTR-4B, like an SWR and Power Output meter and a more accessible sidetone control. We’ll have to wait and see!

LnR is a small “mom-and-pop” company, so we’ll need to be patient as they introduce the new MTR-3B. I’m sure they’ll struggle to keep up with demand. I, for one, am eager to see this super-compact transceiver back on the market.

Field Radio Kits, Portable, QRP, QRP Radios

Field Radio Kit Gallery: N7KOM’s Pocket HF Go Kit

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I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it or held it – just how small this kit is. Tim (N7KOM) and I met up in December 2023 when I was on a trip in the Pacific Northwest and he and I stopped for a lunchtime activation.

Tim’s ENTIRE kit for mountain-top activating less his mast and the 9V battery seen in the background. It’s a stark comparison to my KX3 Go-Kit.

His kit is super light and small. I’ll let Tim take up the description from here:

A Pocket HF Go Kit.

by Tim (N7KOM)

There are few pleasures in life more satisfying than making QSOs on a thin wire tuned for a half wave.

One of my favorite radios is the classic MTR3B. At 9.8cm x 6.5cm x 2.4cm it is truly a pocket radio. Everything I need to get on the air fits into an Amazon external Harddrive case. Here’s a breakdown with weight measurements:

  • MTR-3B – 126 g
  • 9V Li-Poly USB-C rechargeable battery + power plug – 29 g
  • K6ARK 3D printed paddle and 3.5mm cable – 22 g
  • Earbuds + external volume control knob – 26 g
  • Trapped EFHW on an RCA connector (matching the radio’s connector) tuned for 20m/30m/40m. 28-32 ga wire on a 3d printed winder. – 42 g
N7KOM’s ultra-lightweight HF Kit

As is, it weighs a total of 323 grams or 0.7 lbs. Add in a lightweight 9 foot mast from ali-express and I have everything I need to make contacts. I could even string the wire on some bushes or the ground if I was really in a pinch.

Other notes

I could reduce the weight and packability further by using shorter cables on the earbuds/volume control as well as the paddle cable.

The antenna winder is a K6ARK 3D printed winder printed at around 70% size.

A 41 g external speaker may also be added to the kit, but it does not fit in the HDD case and must be carried separately.

Here is a video tour of the kit on YouTube:

So there you have it folks -323g of portable HF kit everything included! Check out Tim’s YouTube page or his Microlight QRP Traps on Etsy for your next QRP outing.

Tim’s field kit is now featured on our Field Kit Gallery page. If you would like to share your field kit with the QRPer community, read this post. 

[Please note that Amazon affiliate links support QRPer.com at no cost to you. Thank you!]

Comparisons, News, Portable, QRP, QRP Radios, Videos

Video: Comparing the Elecraft KH1 with Mountain Topper Series QRP Transceivers

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A couple weeks ago, I posted a video where I compared the Elecraft KH1 and KX2;I mentioned that it was the most requested comparison I’d received after I started taking the Elecraft KH1 to the field.

The second most requested KH1 comparison focused on various Mountain Topper series models: the MTR-3B, MTR-4B and MTR-5B.

That’s what we’ll take a look at in the comparison video below!

Basic KH1 ($550)

So when folks have asked me how the KH1 compares with a Mountain Topper, I think of the basic KH1 ($550 US) package, not the ($1100 US) “Edgewood” package like I have.

Why?

Without the Edgewood package, the KH1 lacks the internal ATU, coils for the whip antenna, internal battery, internal battery charger, logging tray, whip antenna, counterpoise, case, and attachable paddles.

In short, the basic KH1 is a 5 band CW-only radio, much like Mountain Topper series radios–in fact, a lot like my 5 band Mountain Topper!

This is why, in my video below, I base the comparison on the basic KH1 package which includes the KH1, power cord, USB cable, and manual only.

Video

I should note that this video primarily focuses on making a purchase decision–it’s not a receiver comparison or in-depth reviews:

Click here to view on YouTube.

A few notes…

The video above contains a lot more detail, but at the end of the day, you can’t make a “bad” choice here. All of these are fantastic radios for someone who enjoys ultra-light operating.

The Elecraft KH1 is more a more feature-rich transceiver; it has adjustable filters, attenuation, CW encode/decode, mini pan/scan, general coverage, SWR/power meter, more message memories, internal logging options (soon), user upgradable firmware, an internal speaker, and much, much more. On top of that, the KH1 can be upgraded to become a complete shack-in-a-box radio with internal battery, charger, ATU, attachable whip antenna, and attachable paddles.

That said, even thought the Mountain Topper radios are spartan in terms of features compared with the Elecraft KH1, they get the job done effectively. Their feature set is laser-focused on providing a SOTA activator everything they need in order to complete an activation and not a lot else. They will also operate effectively on the smallest of batteries and consume a mere 20-17 mA in receive–proper battery misers! For more of my thoughts of the Mountain Topper, check out my MTR-4B review and my “Getting To Know You” report on the MTR-3B.

Again, you can’t go wrong with a Mountain Topper or a KH1: they’re both made by fantastic companies and have a loyal customer base for good reasons.

Price

The Elecraft KH1 base model (40, 30, 20, 17, and 15 Meters) is $550, the complete, fully-loaded, “Edgewood” package is $1,100. They are currently on backorder, but Elecraft does note that they intend to start shipping again mid-January 2024. Click here for the latest news about lead times.

The Mountain Topper MTR-4B V2.

The LnR Precision MTR-4B (80, 40, 30, and 20 Meters) is the latest Mountain Topper radio and the current model at time of publishing. You can purchase these new for $369 US. LnR Precision builds roughy 25 per month when they have the parts. You will need to follow LnR closely in order to be updated when a production run is shipping. Each time units are offered, they’re snatched up in a matter of hours. You can find used Mountain Toppers out there, but pricing tends to be within 10-20% of the new price.

Thank you

I hope you enjoyed this little comparison video and that it might help you make a purchase decision.

Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon and the Coffee Fund. While certainly not a requirement as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.

As I mentioned before, the Patreon platform connected to Vimeo make it possible for me to share videos that are not only 100% ad-free, but also downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account also serves as a third backup for my video files.

Thanks for spending part of your day with me!

Cheers & 72,

Thomas (K4SWL)

Field Radio Kits, News, QRP

Field Radio Kit Gallery: Bob’s MTR-3B Bug-Out Go-Kit

4 Comments

Many thanks to Bob (K4RLC) who shares the following article about his portable field radio kit which will be featured on our Field Kit Gallery page. If you would like to share your field kit with the QRPer community, read this post. 

MTR-3B Bug-Out Go-Kit

by Bob (K4RLC)

I wanted to build a lightweight Bug Out Go Kit around the incredible Mountain Topper MTR-3B LCD model.

Bass Pro Shop sold a tackle box that seemed perfectly for this. I took a Bear Grylls Scout Knife and cut/customized the partitions as needed. The Elecraft AX 1 antenna and tripod mount, and a flexible tripod fit perfectly.

Counterpoise consists of three 13 ft BNTECHNO 22 AWG silicon wires, attached with a Mueller 55 alligator clip to the tripod mount.

The CW Morse Outdoor Pocket Paddle (and cable) fit into another section. For audio, use either generic ear buds or the rechargeable cell phone speaker with PChero volume adjustment cable.

For power, rechargeable Li-Ion 9 volt batteries use a USB connection, so no separate charger is needed. I keep this in the car.

It’s a great set up for POTA and lightweight enough to throw into a backpack for the steepest SOTA climb. The MTR-3B, the size of a deck of playing cards and not weighing much more, is an awesome QRP rig that’s still a keeper, if you can find one.

Equipment List:

Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, Videos

Field Report with N5FY: Checking out the new N6ARA MiniSWR (and a sweet 9V battery) at Don Carter State Park!

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I am catching up with field reports and videos from last month and, I must admit, it’s fun reliving these activations.

October was such a busy month, it’s all been a bit of a blur.

Because I have a second Thanksgiving meal to prepare this morning for my wife’s family, I need to keep this report short–which won’t be easy because there’s a lot to unpack here– so we’re going to attempt do another Postcard Field Report!

Postcard Report from Don Carter State Park (K-2171)

I mentioned in a previous post that I participated in the W4 SOTA campout last month. .

Part of the fun  of the campout was hanging with my good friend Joshua (N5FY) whom many of you know from his amazing Tufteln antennas and accessories.

On the morning of Friday, October 13, 2023, Joshua and I activated Rocky Mountain (W4G/NG-011), a beautiful 10 point summit along the Appalachian Trail.

That afternoon, we met with Joshua’s family briefly, then planned to head to a pub in Clayton, Georgia, where a number of the W4 SOTA campers were gathering.

Joshua determined we had just enough time to pop by Don Carter State Park (K-2171) for a quick POTA activation and still make it to Clayton in time. As a bonus, Don Carter SP has a number of covered picnic shelters, making set up in the dry quite easy (it was raining at the time).

For this activation, I used my Mountain Topper MTR-3B field kit that I had used during my SOTA activation on Rocky Mountain. In fact, it was the only radio kit I brought with me for activations that day.

Joshua lent me his Tufteln 40/20 meter linked EFHW antenna (we only used the 20 meter portion of it) and I also got to use a few other accessories that were still very new to me:

N6ARA MiniSWR Meter

One was my friend Ara’s latest creation, the MiniSWR meter. Ara (N6ARA) kindly sent me this production unit to test (at no cost to me) earlier in October.

I was very excited about this particular product because a few of my QRP radios lack a built-in SWR meter (my MTR-3B, MTR-5B, TR-35, and SW-3B to name a few). Ara’s MiniSWR meter is so tiny, it’s easy to carry even in my MTR-3B SOTA kit that’s built into a Pelican 1060 waterproof case. (If you’d like more details, I’ll be adding this MTR-3B kit to the Radio Field Kit Gallery soon).

The MiniSWR in action earlier that day on Rocky Mountain.

As with all of Ara’s products, the MiniSWR works brilliantly, is very affordable, and is available as a kit or pre-assembled. Check it out at N6ARA.com!

Rechargeable 9V Batteries

Another new-to-me product was this USB-C rechargeable 9V battery originally recommended by Adam (K6ARK).

Being honest here: this battery sort of blows my mind!

When paired with super efficient QRP radios like my MTR-3B (which uses something like 18mA in receive), one charge will take me through as many as two or three full SOTA/POTA activations!

These batteries are insanely affordable too. You can buy two for $15 and change at Amazon.

When I purchased these, I also bought two 3S packs in a Prime Day deal. These 9V batteries work so well, though, I’ve yet to add PowerPoles to the new 3S packs. I prefer the size and ease of use of these 9V cells.

Set up

Joshua helped me set up in short order. We deployed the 20M EFHW next to the picnic shelter and Joshua kindly lent me his OSMO 2 Action Camera and Anker SoundCore Mini speaker so I could make a video of this impromptu activation. Continue reading Field Report with N5FY: Checking out the new N6ARA MiniSWR (and a sweet 9V battery) at Don Carter State Park! →