VE6AB Portable Ops
Snow Pit Communications
Although comfortably positioned in front of my FT-897D, it was hard to keep my mind on making contacts, what with the stunning location on the shores of upper Kananaskis Lake located in the southern Alberta Rockies.
Still, I managed to do just that, keep my mind on the job at hand, and with 17 meters in good shape, I made numerous contacts over the 3 hours that I operated from this location in the snow.
In fact good conditions on 17 meters prevented me from bothering to move the wander-lead set in the 17 meter tap position on my antenna coil, and maybe try 40 or 60 meters.
The 3 hours that I operated were done with the FT-897D running off of the internal batteries located in the bottom of the transceiver.
After 3 hours of operating with 20 watts out, the voltage meter readout on the display of the FT-897D was still indicating more than 12 volts remaining in the A battery, and I still had the B battery being held in reserves.
I've mentioned before that I also have my 30 caliber power-pack that I also use with the 897, when I need the extra wattage out, as the 897 is rated for 100 watts out on HF when powered by an external power source.
The FT-897D with its rugged military type build, is perfect for operating under conditions such as those that I found on this day while set up for field operations in this pristine snow field bordering Upper Kananaskis Lake .
A closer look and description of the table that the FT-897D is positioned on.....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/VE6AB-Portable-OPS/i-2M6S8zG
Click on the photo for a closer look.....
