First time in the field with QCX20 mini

[Kd5txx]

Went on a camp out this weekend and decided to try this new to me rig.  Used my PAR EF 10/20/40m antenna.  Hung it about 20 feet up a tree, sloped down to me.  There was obviously some contest going on, so I decided to jump in.  Worked The Netherlands and Italy with this little rig from Kentucky.  Netherlands was over 4000 miles and Italy was close to 5000.  Also had a chance to chase some parks.  I'm impressed.  I also took my MTR3b and used it on 40 for a few contacts.  I like the volume control on the QCX.  Filtering is really good too.  These things are a steal for the price.  All said it was a great QRP weekend.

 

[Ham4CW]

Used my PAR EF 10/20/40m antenna...

Worked The Netherlands and Italy with this little rig from Kentucky.  Netherlands was over 4000 miles and Italy was close to 5000...

I also took my MTR3b and used it on 40 for a few contacts.  I like the volume control on the QCX...

I've read lots of reports from different folks about using PAR Endfedz antenna, and every one is glowing! They certainly seem to have used the correct amount of 'RF magic' in the matching transformer! bd

The MTR-3b, always a puzzle as to why they decided not to fit a volume control (surely one of the top essential controls on a rig?). When I first had mine I tried it with a set of headphones but it soon became annoying when tuning through a band and found myself facing whisper quiet stations one second and then real 'boomers' the next.

I also had a try with an external active speaker with built in volume control. It was OK for setting the level once a station was found I fancied listening to, but while tuning up and down a band it was a bit cumbersome dealing with the rig AND the separate speaker volume control (much easier when they are both on the same unit).

I guess it's one of those things that you get used to when more time is spent using a unit. A lot of rigs have 'quirks' of one kind or another. ;D

73, Mark...