HF/RF Clipper

Ordered an HF/RF Clipper for my QRP set from OM Joachim (DF4ZS) and it arrived yesterday. More information on the HF/RF Clipper can be found in the following website:

http://jwm.de/afu/index0.htm

Decided that I should do the dissect on my MH-31 last night, couldn't wait really but there was a setback, I couldn't really understand the instructions on modifying the tone switch, but after confirming with OM Joachim, I went ahead with installing the Clipper into the mic. Here is what we should do on the tone switch, shift the two wires to the left, and the wires from the tantalum cap goes to the free right most pin.

Here is the module, installed inside the MH-31 replacing the condenser mic element.

Have not really go into field testing yet, will do so when I've got free time today or probably during field day. Did a comparison with another stock MH-31 mic, it does put a lot of punch.

Going QRP - Do more with less!

I've been thinking of going QRP for quite sometime and I believe I've enough courage to go for it now. Someone advertised on local ham FB group, selling his barely used 4 months old Yaesu FT-817ND and I grabbed this opportunity to get the unit. Haven't really go out and set this up but I'll do this in near future. One thing though, when using the stock vhf/uhf antenna that comes in the box, the set produces white noise, around S6-7. I need to put high squelch on vhf/uhf just to remove the white noise. Have no idea why it is acting that way. Anyway, vhf/uhf is not my main target when getting the set. I'm eyeing for contacts on HF, I've bought a portable Buddistick HF vertical antenna when I was first licensed in 2007 and yet to fully use it .. probably this is the right time to test the antenna.

As of now, my QRP setup consists of the following:

1. Yaesu FT-817ND

2. Buddipole's Buddistick Deluxe vertical antenna / G5RV Jr. as backup 

3. External Pb battery - GP 12V 7.2Ah
4. LDG Z-11PRO II (ordered, waiting for delivery - hopefully within this week)

BTW, I remembered that someone gave a BHi DSP module back in 2008. I'm going to install it into the FT-817ND when I've Weerut's time to work on it. My hands are no longer good in soldering little stuff, might as well ask for help before it becomes "tikus membaiki labu".

Found old, no longer used LowePro camera bag, nice go kit bag for rig, ATU and battery.

Only thing now .. time to go for QRP-pedition .. Pantai Jeram anyone? :)

--

Latest update, Rut had time to help me out with installing the bhi DSP & putting a battery holder into the LDG.

--
Next will be the HF/RF clipper, still waiting for it in the post :)
--
Update again: My first QRP contact was with 9V1RN/Nan on 29th Dec, 2012. TQ Nan for the contact, 55/59. He was on Buddistick too working from his apartment and I'm from my hotel room.