Home Station
In reality, this is a lot neater than it looks 99% of the time. The home station consists of my Elecraft K2. The K2 is the QRP version (15 Watts max output) CW only with the built in auto tuner, noise blanker, and KAF2 audio filter. I have three keying devices that I use, all connected through a homebrewed junction box which sits next to my external speaker. I use either an Elecraft Hex Key, a Vibroplex Original Standard bug that I have restored or a Nye Viking Speed-X straight key. I have a Dell Inspiron laptop that is loaded with Ham Radio Deluxe and right now, that is my logging program of choice. The station antennas are either a Butternut HF9V vertical or an 88' EDZ antenna which is strung up in the backyard. Both are connected to the K2 courtesy of the KAT2 auto tuner which allows me to have both antennas hooked up at the same time. Switching between them is silky smooth via the K2's ANT switch on the front panel. Also in the photo you'll notice a Yaesu 2 Meter radio. The white piece of elbow pipe aims the sound from a Radio Shack amplified speaker directly towards my tired old ears.
The portable station is quite simple, my Elecraft K1 or my recently built PFR3A "trail friendly" radio with a 12V sealed lead acid battery as a power source. The portable antennas of choice right now include a Buddistick or simple wire doublets as well as an EFHW cut for 40 and 20 Meters. All this is carried in a rucksack - a complete portable HF station "in a bag".Portable Station
Everything is carried in plastic containers inside the rucksack to eliminate the possibilities of anything getting damaged, while at the same time keeping everything neat. To the upper left and going counter clockwise is my K1 in its protective container. a slingshot for stringing antenna rope, battery, headphones, Emtech ZM2 tuner, pencils, velcro tape and cable ties, code keys, Swiss army knife and a 4:1 balun, wires and cables and connectors, and finally my Autek antenna analyzer in the middle container. I also carry my solar panel in the rucksack as it makes for a nice sturdy support to help the sack keep it shape.
The PFR3A is kept in the back of my Jeep in a smaller knapsack, along with battery, Baby Black Widow paddles, the power cable and earbuds. The Hamsticks and magmount allow me to "sneak" out from work during lunchtime to do a little QRPing from either the workplace parking lot or a nearby park. With the Hamsticks, setup is super fast (a few minutes, literally) and I can spend most of my allotted hour on the air. It's a nice break, especially when things are getting stressful at work!
If you were to look at my setups, you'll notice that I like to keep things on the simple side. You don't need an elaborate, blown out to the max station in order to have a lot of fun.
