For my SOTA activities, I assembled the following equipment:

– FT-817ND with no internal battery
– 2x LiPo battery 3S (11.1V / 5500Ah)
– LiPo Battery Control
– Step-up converter
– Buddipole (mini)
– Antenna Tuner (PI network, homebrew)
– SWR / power meter (youkits)
– Fox circuit (homebrew)
– Long wire for 10m and 15m
– Antenna Analyzer (mini)
– Fiberglass mast (10m)

The important thing is: little space and low weight. Because you have to carry everything up the mountain.

FT-817ND

The TRX consumes little power at max. 5 watts. the RX 300 mA and 2.5 A. TX max 5 watts suffice in good conditions and a well-tuned antenna. The original internal battery (1700 Ah) has too little power. I have assembled my own battery with 3000 Ah. Even this is not enough and the FT-817 automatically reduces the power. That’s why I’ve decided to LiPo S3.

Step-up converter

In connection to me a step-up converter constantly bring this 13.8 V. This I can set in Step-Up. Also, the step-up has an adjustable phase shift. Thus, no interference in the FT-817 are formed. Do not use a cheap step-up from China !! The LiPo holds by more than 3 hours (SSB).

Buddipol

For me the best way to go QRV. normally you need no antenna tuner. However, it may be that you due to the installation height and the environmental influences no SWR of 1: 1 will receive. Then you adjust the telescopic antennas or work with an antenna tuner.

Fox circuit – Longwire

as a backup I have always with you a long wire and a fox circle. the long wire for 15m (21.000 MHz) has a length of 6,79m and 10m (28.000 MHz) 5,09m

Antenna Tuner (PI network, homebrew) – more Info here

Antenna Analyzer – to bring to me the quickest and easiest way to resonant antenna