Field Day 2016 - Yaesu FT-817 QRP HF Portable

Ham Radio Field Day - blazing heat and crazy propagation made for a challenging event. Watch for a special guest appearance by Rick of the Radio Hobbyist KZbin channel. If you haven't seen Rick's channel yet, check it out!
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
If you liked this video, check out "Optimizing the Yaesu FT-817 for Contesting"
• Optimizing the Yaesu F...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@ke0imd770]

Your videos have really inspired me to upgrade my ticket and seek out a patch of land off in the quiet for day-long QRP. Some people enjoy fishing, some people enjoy hiking, my passion is a late-night QRP DX over CW... just me, my radio, and the outdoors with stars above. I'm very glad I've subbed to your channel. 73, KE0IMD.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

And I'm glad you took the time to write your comment. That's a great picture you paint. Thanks for watching and enjoy the outdoors, maybe make a video and share it with us. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@RVRiskyVenture]

Excellent video and presentation, never a dull moment. You are an excellent presenter and your articulation is superb. I just purchased a one year old FT-817ND and can't wait to use it.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hal, you are too kind. Thank you and have fun with your 817ND.

[@BrianDickman]

One of my thoughts as I wrapped up my field day operations was, "I'm looking forward to seeing Tracy's video from the event." Happy to see it show up so fast and thoroughly enjoyed watching. Thanks for the great video as always.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

That's really nice to hear Brian, thank you very much! You're welcome and I hope you have some good memories from your FD 2016 experience.

[@jmcdeal9516]

Tracy. Been following you for a while now. Kite poles are great; got several for my portable set up. Thanks for this video. All the best - 73. Jmc

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for watching, Joe! I really appreciate your support and comments. 73 Tracy

[@rds801]

Thanks for this year's FD video. I made 23 contacts on Saturday using 5 watts. Had lots of fun. could have made more bit had people stopping to chat with me.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching. Glad to hear you enjoyed your QRP event.

[@Radio-Hobbyist]

I had a fabulous time Tracy. Please thank Randy for the eats and general hospitality. Another great video from your channel!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

We're really happy you were able to come by, Rick. I appreciated the demo of the Alpha antenna and the YouKits analyzer. It was a good visit, maybe we can pencil you in for next year's event...

[@yuudai1400]

That looked like some really great operating! You inspire me to use my 817ND to its full extent like this

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Yuuki! Now get out there and have some fun.

[@kenwood8029]

Tracy, Great video. I've been doing Field day portable QRP CW 1B from Ks. for 4 years now and I am having a great time. I am ordering myself a 12m Spiderbeam fiberglass pole for FD 2017 so no more looking for a tree. I use simple HB wire antennas, no frills, I get what I get and still have fun. Looking forward to more from you. Joe KF0XV

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Joe! It's nice that you can get out, have some fun and participate in what I consider to be the most important contest on the calendar. I hope others will get inspired by reading your comment and get themselves out for next year's contest. 73 Tracy VE3TWM.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Joe! It's nice that you can get out, have some fun and participate in what I consider to be the most important contest on the calendar. I hope others will get inspired by reading your comment and get themselves out for next year's contest. 73 Tracy VE3TWM.

[@caulktel]

Hi Tracy, I really enjoy your videos. Just this morning I ordered a FT-817ND and looking forward to more portable ops.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great stuff Joel, thank you for letting me know! Pair that little beast up with a good antenna and you will have a lot of fun.

[@Fishermanfred1]

one of your best videos. I hope to see more on qrp soon.

[@Fishermanfred1]

Hello Tracy. Hope you are getting ready for field day 2017. I bet you will be using the hy end fed antenna and hopefully you FT-817. Please make Loooog videos . Everyone enjoys watching your field day event. No one more that I. Thanks, Fred

[@thameswater2561]

You really make good and interesting films well done Regards from the UK>

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them. Best wishes from Canada.

[@twhite3527]

Outdoors On The Air

[@MoTown44240]

Tracy, band conditions were not much better in NE Ohio transmitting 100 watts. I only work CW and this year I worked 20m with much QSB and many DUPES, and tried 15m and 10m and heard only one weak station on each band. My club, Portage County Amateur Radio Service on KZbin, tried a new location this year so we could utilize the full 1000 foot diameter. I like your videos. 72 de KB8AMZ, Terry.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Terry, thank you very much for relating your Field Day experience. Interesting to hear conditions were the same on the other side of Lake Erie. Must say I am envious of any station that uses a 1000 foot diameter, that must have been a sight to behold. 72 from Tracy VE3TWM.

[@vener6]

Nice video, Thanks for sharing your field day experience.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@davejones6313]

Always fascinating to see portable QRP, I wonder how much better you could have scored using CW, and did that 12 AH battery see you thru the day, or did you need to replace it, enjoyed your video very much.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Dave, thank you for your comment! - While I do not operate CW, I've heard it said that 5 watts CW is the practical equivalent of 100 watts SSB. You could reasonably expect to make 2 or 3 times as many contacts with CW using the same rig and antenna. - The battery I was using was actually 7 amp hours. 2 of them took me all the way through to late morning Sunday (note I shut down around 11:00 p.m. Saturday night and resumed around 7:00 a.m Sunday morning). There was still quite a bit of juice left in the second battery when I pulled the plug.

[@davejones6313]

Thank you fellow Ham for your detailed info, much appreciated, good luck and many enjoyable QRP times for you.

[@andrewevanoff1192]

The "Alpha-EZ antenna" is marginally better than a dummy load. Both exhibit good SWR but both radiate very little. It's theoretically impossible to create an antenna in that configuration, that would be resonant on all bands, unless there is an active antenna tuner at the base (not in the EZ antenna). You are A LOT better with a simple dipole or even the end-fed dipole.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Andrew, thank you for your comment. I must say I am in general agreement with your estimation. My experience with compact antennas has taught me there is no substitute for a full sized efficient antenna up as high as you can get it, especially when operating QRP.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

I really liked the video. Running QRP in a field day is certainly a challenge. You did great! What did you cook on that inviting fire in the background?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

If I recall correctly, the only thing cooked on that fire was S'mores!😀

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Always nice.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Always a nice thing to have when camping!

[@KX4UL]

Enjoyed this video with the FT-817!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you!

[@N4TCM]

Been wanting to do portable with an 817. About the same setup I'm thinking about except with hamsticks in dipole config. Have a good location nearby on Camp Creek Bald mountain at 4500 ft. Our local machines are there. Camp Creek Bald is near Greeneville Tn. 73' N4TCM ex KD4RNC since 1992

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your plan. Sounds like fun! I've tried hamstick dipoles in the past, but I've had MUCH more success with half wave wire antennas up high and in the clear. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@ssbfmcw]

Well done Tracy. We (KN5TX) found similar propagation from NTX with rapid QSB using our 3 100 watt transmitters. Exchanges had to be quick to be successful. Could you draw any conclusions between vertical versus horizontal antenna in those conditions?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Bill, thank you for watching! To be honest, I used the EZ antenna for the first half hour without making a single contact. I switched over to the HyEndFed for the remainder of the contest. The way conditions were, I reasoned the HyEndFed gave me the best chance of making contacts. This should not be construed as a criticism of the EZ Military antenna. With 100 watts I might have done much better with the Alpha system.

[@santossalinas7209]

What battery are you using, the one on your table? How long does it last?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

12 amp hour SLA. Good for about 10-12 hours with the 817 in contest conditions.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

I have seen ez antennas on the net qrp no stations worked over and over i put a 50 ohm dl got out 100 watts used output was abt 5 watts and great match so u think kg6mn

[@dattadeogaonkar4096]

Informative. I am VU2DSI. Just I have FT 818 ND & buddipole antenna. Going try from hilltop & WFF activity.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Good luck!

[@J_David_Worthington_III]

Hello Tracey: Another great video! Is the log form that you used in the video something that you made up or is it something that I can download somewhere on the net?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hello David, thank you! I created an Excel spreadsheet fashioned after an old school log book page. Nothing fancy about my station :)

[@davidwilliamson2115]

For that very reason. you should use extenton cords to connect teh power to the radio

[@davidm1635]

Do you still like the ft-891 (I have an IC-7200 but it's 12.1 lbs so it's not really portable) ?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

HI David, I have actually used a 891 so cannot speak to it. It's smaller and lighter than the 7200 but the current drain on receive is almost the same so I can't consider it for portable operations. That's exactly why I have an FT-817 and an 897. Both of those draw less than half the current the 7200 and 991 do.

[@BennyCFD]

Nice video....What was that antenna analyzer you were using.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you Benny! The antenna analyzer is made by YouKits.

[@h.sapienstechnologicus8865]

$560 for 5w and limited Tx on VHF?

[@danielbrinnemancom]

Does your FT-817 have any filters installed?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

No sir.

[@philipchandler330]

Great video, did you use an external speaker with 817 D?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Philip! In my estimation there is no need for an external speaker when using the FT-817. If you have not heard the audio of an 817 in person, you'll be impressed with the volume and clarity of the built-in speaker.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks nice video 73 from kb2uew

[@ed-jf3xh]

Guess I've been out of touch with the HF scene longer than I realized. Is it normal, these days, to end a QSO without signing off?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Ed, thank you for your comment. Contests are a bit of a different environment than regular QSO'ing as you might know. When I am searching and pouncing as I do, the other station usually moves on very quickly after each contact, not giving me the opportunity to close in a traditional fashion. This is not taken as an offense, it's just part of the contest experience. In addition, sometimes when editing the videos, I will edit out my closing transmission to keep the video tight. Hope this answers your question!

[@ed-jf3xh]

Thanks for the reply, Mate. Cheers...

[@tlcoucke]

Looked like you had fun. I would recommend foot switches and headset mics. Then you have hands free to log.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Tim, thank you for watching. While headset mics are great, they make for lousy KZbin videos :) so I'll be sticking with the hand mic.

[@johnkesby]

it's propagation man! another entertaining vid tks t

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, John!

[@ales311able]

Moc dobré vybavení

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Děkuji!

[@byd3k157]

Hi, Will you be using the 817 this year? 73s kb2icn

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Yes, absolutely. I hope to have the station set up in time on Friday to operate during QRP Night. Hope to catch you on the air! 73 VE3TWM.

[@RobBob555]

strange question.. no it can only be used on leap years ..

[@ricardogobbi1108]

Congratulations! I loved your station! PU2WCC

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Ricardo!

[@xavierathorne]

At $299 it's way overpriced for a balun and a tent pole. No thanks, I can DIM for under $50.

[@mk1tina]

So Tracy, I see the ft817 keeps delivering the goods.. How do u cope without any rain to shout over ;-p .. 73 2e0vov

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

It was quite an adjustment to be sure. The 817 handled the transition better than I did :) 73 VE3TWM. Folks, be sure to subscribe to Mark's channel "mk1tina".

[@mk1tina]

+Outdoors On The Air thanks Tracy. Conditions have been bad here this year, its a struggle to work good DX. I'm hoping to make more video's soon, probably a late night DX session to you guys as its the only real DX available. 73s my friend.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I hear you regarding the conditions. It would be interesting to try to set up a sked for both of us to work each other QRP and film it from both ends. It would take a bit of planning, though, especially with conditions as they have been. 73!

[@mk1tina]

+Outdoors On The Air Tracy u r on my friend. I have got a DSLR camera I can record with at this end for such a special event. I think conditions will hold us back for a while, but we will manage it when the bands pick up especially on 17m. Add me on fb for instant messaging if u like. User name "witsend"

[@KuriosPC]

What bands were you using?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

40, 20, 15 and 10.

[@KuriosPC]

Thanks a lot. I enjoy your vids!

[@redneckoutdoors5214]

How can this radio talk so far on just five Watts

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Ham radio hidden secret: the power isn't in the rig, it's in the antenna.

[@st8kout961]

The bands were terrible leading up to Field Day, then suddenly opened up on Saturday, at least for awhile. Come Monday I could not hear anyone.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I sometimes wonder if dead bands are forced into activity for large contests by the sheer will of the participants.

[@st8kout961]

Of course, I imagine everyone was burnt out afterwards, probably staying up all day and night.

[@txfotog]

Thanks for the great video! Enjoy your channel and will subscribe to the Radio Hobbyist now! 73! WA5AZQ Michael

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Michael!

[@stvkomer]

what causes that? "its propagation man"

[@Shoey00124]

Nice hat! Oskee wee wee!! - VE7KPM

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks, Mike! Are you a Cats fan?

[@1cbres]

Why do people say "Please copy"?"

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your question. "Please copy" is just one of those quick verbal communication tools that people use every day in non-radio speech. These phrases tell the brain to get ready to receive the important information that follows. While not 100% efficient in a Field Day contact, many operators expect to hear it and confusion can result if not said.

[@RobBob555]

dont see much point in contesting.. rather have a god ragchew. handy for testing i guess

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

Iuse a streight connector my radio for 18 years and its the only thing that has no worrn out hi hi i use a inverted veeeeee get rid of the alfa essy

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, Jerome.

[@RobBob555]

lol look at that SLAP.. go lipo or lifepo mate

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment.

[@davidwilliamson2115]

this operator that cant copy the callsign pissed Outdoors on the Air off

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

It only looked that way. On that particular occasion I was dealing with a pretty bad headache and my tone was one of personal discomfort and not aimed at anyone else.