EQUIPMENT FOR DXPEDITIONING CHECK-LIST
ALL DXpeditions are different and an Arctic island expedition’s check-list will obviously be different from one to a tropical atoll. Likewise the inventory of equipment of a twoday single-operator DXpedition from a hotel will clearly be very different in both scope and size from that of a one-month operation by a team of 20 on an uninhabited island. A DXpedition entirely under canvas would obviously also require tents and other camping equipment; these items are not considered here, nor - other than for sun protection – are clothes or toiletries. If flying to the DXpedition location you will be limited by weight allowances; a general principle here is that there is no need to take anything that you know you can source locally at the DXpedition location. An obvious example is fuel for generators.
STATION EQUIPMENT
Transceiver(s) + mains and/or DC lead(s)
13.8V / 20A PSU(s)
SWR / power meter
Linear amplifier(s)+RF lead,PTT switching and ALC leads with correct plugs for transceiver(s)
Microphone
Headphones z or combined boom mic headset (e.g. Heil)
Footswitch
Keyer + spare batteries
Winkeyer + USB CAT adapter
Paddle
Laptop + PSU, wi th logging sof tware and datamodes programs pre-loaded
Memory stick for laptop
Logging software on CD and/or floppy (for installing on a borrowed PC if necessary)
Mouse
Mouse pad
Full-size keyboard for PC
PC to radio interface cable
CW interface
Manual ATU (unless all antennas are 50Ω)
2- or 3-way coaxial antenna switch
Band pass f i l ters (e.g. Dunestar or simi lar ) for multi - transmitter environment
Plug adapters for headphones
High power low pass filter (if in built-up area / hotel)
Great Circle map centred on DXpedition location
Propagation predictions
DX Edge grey-line charts
VHF or UHF handhelds for inter-station communications
ANTENNAS ETC
Antennas
Antenna Analyser (e.g. MFJ-259) or Mini-VNA analyser
Roll(s) of antenna wire
Rolls of thin insulated radial wire (use different colours)
Sufficient coax in several lengths, with properly soldered plugs pre-fitted
Spare coax (because you always need more than you think!)
Baluns
Beverage receive antenna wire
Beverage transformer
Beverage terminating resistor
Beverage ground stake
PL-259 to PL-259 patch leads (many!)
Spare PL-259 plugs with reducers
SO-239 to SO-239 back to back ‘barrel’ connectors (many)
SO-239 T-piece for making stubs
50Ω termination
Tie-wraps
Insulating tape
Self-amalgamating tape or Coax Seal
Gaffer or duct tape
Fibre-glass ‘fishing rod’ masts for vertical or inverted-L antennas var lengths from 7m to 18m)
Rope for guying masts
Stakes for guy ropes
Spare Jubilee clips / hose clamps
Balls of thin string or polythene fishing line (Cardolene) for suspending wire antennas
Lead fishing weights (for antenna installation)
Earth rods
Earthing straps and wire
Measuring tape (in imperial and metric units)
ELECTRICAL
Four - or six -way 13A mains distribution board (with sockets suitable for your equipment and plug suitable for DXpedition location)
10m mains extension lead
Multimeter (voltmeter, ohmmeter)
Generator, petrol or diesel (fuel to be sourced locally)
Solar panels (useful in tropical countries with frequent power failures)
Filters (braid-breakers, high-pass ‘TVI’ filters)
Clip-on ferrites
Fuses – mains fuses + spare fuses for equipment
‘Choc block’ terminal strips
230V to 110V transformer
‘Crocodile’ clips
Table lights
Table fans
TOOLS (do not attempt to take on plane carry-on bag)
Soldering iron + solder (lead solder works best)
Small gas soldering iron (can be heated by candle)
Flat head screwdrivers
Cross head screwdrivers
Pliers
Side cutters
Stanley knife (with retractable blade + spare blades)
File (to prepare metal on PL-259 to ease soldering)
Adjustable spanner (shift spanner)
Swiss Army Knife
Crimp tool and crimps
Tool belt / roofer’s belt for antenna work
Catapult (for antenna installation work)
Hammer or mallet (for guy stakes)
DOCUMENTS
Originals and photocopies of:
Passport and visas
Operating and / or landing permission
Flight tickets
Credit cards
DXpedition licence
Home licence
Equipment inventory
Purchase receipts for equipment
ATA Carnet (if used)
Driving licence
Diver’s licence
Insurance policy with good repatriation cover
Operating manuals
Assembly instructions for antennas
Map of DXpedition region
Vaccination certificates
Spare passport photos
Laminated ‘prompt card’ with DXpedition callsign, IOTA reference, CQ & ITU zones, Locator, QSL Manager, licensed frequency bands (if different from home) etc.
Contact list, phone numbers (inc embassy of your country etc)
Paper log books
Paper scrap pads
Pens or pencils
Copies of all important documents on PC
PERSONAL EFFECTS
Medical kit including:
analgesic tablets (Paracetamol / Ibuprofen or similar)
plasters (Band Aids)
antiseptic cream
malaria prophylaxis if in malarial area
Imodium or similar
rehydration salts
Vaseline
vitamin B tablets (repels mosquitoes)
tweezers
seasickness tablets
sunscreen (30 SPF or greater)
Lip balm
Medi-wipes (e.g. for cleaning headphones)
Insect repellent spray or cream
Mosquito net
Camera + spare memory cards, charger
Video camera, charger
Mobile phone with international roaming, charger
Wide-brimmed sun hat or kepi (to avoid sunstroke)
Gardening gloves (for antenna work)
Knee pads (to protect from sharp coral)
Neoprene or reef shoes (to protect from sharp coral)
Personal notebook / diary
Alarm clock or watch, set to UTC
Torch (flashlight) + spare batteries
LED torch on head band + spare batteries
Lighter
Survival blanket (useful in all climates if camping)
C o m p a s s
GPS receiver
Binoculars
Tin opener
Bottle opener
Small gifts for local helpers
Games or guitar for entertainment
Saturday, October 15, 2011
EQUIPMENT FOR DXPEDITIONING CHECK-LIST
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment