[TenTec] SCOUT packaging for the field

[ARDUJENSKI at aol.com]

I would be interested in all the Scout users that take the Scout for field 
events (including field day) that have nice packages for the radio, battery, 
antenna,  and accessories. I contacted folks like COMMUNICATION-OUTFITTERS
 <A HREF="http://www.communication-outfitters.com/">Click here: Communication-Outfitters</A> 
or maybe even these folks
<A HREF="http://www.powerportstore.com/mobile%20packs%20main%20ham.htm">Click here: Mobile Packs</A>
 to see if they have, or can make a pack for the SCOUT/Z-11 
tuner/battery/accessories. If I hear anything I will be glad to share with 
y'all.

A couple of you shared some special boxes you had build to house the SCOUT 
and they sure were neat. Got me scratching away on paper

Here is a site with some ideas too:
 <A HREF="http://www.hfpack.com/">Click here: HFpack.com, The HF Portable Group.</A>


For the battery I caluculated for a weekend the following battery size at 
full power)
600 ma receive and 10 amp transmit so used a duty cycle of 75 percent receive 
and 25 percent transmit for 20 hours. That would be (0.75x0.6)+(0.25x10)x20 
hours= about 14Ah so two 7.5 Ah in series or a 15Ah+ battery would do the 
trick. Running QRP is about half that. Please correct me if I am wrong but 
looking for a ballpark number.

I am sorry if this is a bit too basic for some of you folks--excue my babling

ANTENNA: I have been testing out the St. Louis Loop which is a 100ft sloping 
DELTA LOOP fed in the apex with 300 ohm line.The loop is made out of two 
strands of computer ribbon cable to keep it light and flexible and portable.  
The apex is supported about 20ft up. Good for 40-10m wih good lobe patterns 
and good gain. the original design used a 20ft fishing pole like the SD-20 
fish pole but a local ham got me interested in these windsock poles which are 
very rigid and collapses to about 47 inches and weighs 3 lbs
 <A HREF="http://www.tmastco.com/TelepolePage.htm">Click here: TelePole</A> 

I got a bag of CHEM STICK lights that were outdated chemical lights for life 
jackets from a local servicing company. These make great lights to work by at 
night

I am slowly converting over all the radios to ANDERSON POWER POLE CONNECTORS.

I am anxious to hear about your SCOUT SETUPS........I really enjoy seeing 
nice neat station set ups both in the field and the shack

I am still trying to com up with a unique module storage container. I think 
all-in-all I am looking for a nice MANPACK for the SCOUT set up. Lets hear 
form you fellas with a lot more ideas than me

Alan KB7MBI in Woodinville, WA
FISTS 5702  Proud member of ARRL
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