Radio

The radio is a Yaesu FT-891. I want 100 watts to make sure I get an activation no matter how bad conditions are, and the 891 is relatively small and lightweight.

• Yaesu FT-891
• Earbuds
• Hand mic
• Power cord

Power

Power is the annoying part when you’re not at home. The 6 Ah LiFePO4 runs the 891 and is allowed by TSA. I’ve got a 12 volt charger for the car and a 120 volt charger for the hotel, plus USB chargers and a battery bank for everything else.

• 6 Ah LiFePO4 battery
• 12V LiFePO4 charger
• 120V LiFePO4 charger
• 12V USB charger
• 120V USB charger
• Battery bank
• USB cords

Vertical

I only carry elements for 20 and 17 meters. I normally operate on 20m, and have 17m available in case there’s a contest clogging up the bands. One mast, dedicated elements, 32 radials.

• 20m & 17m elements (16 AWG)
• 32 radials (22 AWG, 16 feet long)
• BNC To Binding Posts Adapter
• Feedline Choke
• Carbon 6 mast
• Mini tripod, camera rod, and 3/4" PVC to shim the rod in the mast
• 25 ft RG-8X coax, UHF to BNC

Logging and computer

I still take a pad and pens, just in case. The laptop and a Digirig DR-891 are there when I want digital, and a GPS receiver to keep the clock in-sync.

• Pad, pens, pencil
• Laptop
• 120V laptop charger
• Digirig DR-891
• GPS receiver

Chair and table

Working off the ground for more than a few minutes is miserable, so the chair & table come with me.

• Helinox Chair Zero
• Chair Zero pad
• Naceture table

Miscellaneous

And then all the little stuff that isn’t radio but I’d be unhappy without.

• Compactor bag
• Sweat rag
• Aspirin, antacid, salt pills, etc.
• DUDE Wipes
• Headlamp & AA batteries
• Lighter
• Watch, set to UTC
• Readers
• Screwdriver, pliers, and scissors
• Sunglasses
• Hat

I attached a water bottle holder on the GR1, it stays empty until after I get thru TSA.

The bag ends up heavy at 25 lbs., everytime I have tried to reduce gear (table, chair, etc.) I’ve regretted it more than the trouble of lugging it around so it stays.