Nice find. I have the same impression of the bag that comes with it. One day those zippers are gonna give up the ghost. Do the pouches fit in the new bag the same as they do in the HamPack bag? I wanted to hate on those pouches, but they work well with my FT-818 and it's doodads. A bit of a tight fit with the chunky rails I have on it, but it fits.
They should! It’s about the same size main compartment. I did try it with one of the alexloop pouches and it fit well. It’s pretty hard to find backpacks with a full open main compartment that aren’t massive travel bags. I really like this one so far.
@@w4arb I looked for a long time for one for either an 818 or 857. It seems simple, but very few open all the way. That one Gigaparts makes/sells does, but it's huge and doesn't look well suited for carrying very far. Now that I think of it, I wonder if a tailor could swap out the zipper for something better.
I’m sure a tailor could. Also there are some camera backpacks that I found that would theoretically work. But this one works well for what I wanted, plus lots of molle to attach exterior pouches and whips to for extra gear 😅
There are some good instructions out there on building your own mag loop. After seeing how this one does, I wonder how hard it would be one for 80m, which is notoriously noisy.
Aaron is fixing to join a swat team in the bushes with his CW keyer now providing HF coverage with his highspeed low drag backpack and qrp gear😂 Hope your doing well 73, kq4hcu
@w4arb I wasn't aware some folks that do pota and sota also participate in trail running races and do the CW at the same time. That sounds intriguing, but i wouldn't try running up a trail after knee surgery lol
Arron I see you have both the Chelegance JPC12 and MC-750.Which one do you think is better and why.Also how do you think the Gabil GRA-7350 compares.I know the Gabil has a smaller footprint.No one better to ask then someone who has experience with them.
Great question! Sorry in advance for the long answer 😂 First, the JPC-12 vs. the MC-750. The JPC-12 is cheaper, covers 40-6, and works quite well. I’d give 3/5 for build quality. The base unit likes to come apart and is held together by plastic friction sleeves. The whip is a bit flimsy. The included radials love to tangle once you separate them. It’s a loaded vertical on 20/30/40 but it performs well for a loaded vertical and is a nice package. It’s also cheaper. The MC-750, I give a 5/5 build quality. All parts of it are very solid and I’d compare to Chameleon quality. On 40 it’s a loaded vertical, but it’s physically longer so performs better than the JPC-12. On 30, it’s similar to the JPC-12 since the coil is a fixed length and the whip is made to about 9ft. On 20 and up, it’s a full size 1/4 wave vertical and performs like a full size antenna! Both come with nice cases and all the parts needed to get on the air. Now the Gabil, it’s like a tune-able hamstick that breaks down to less a foot. GREAT antenna for carrying on a plane or as a spare antenna. It’s not as good performance as either Chelegance antennas, but man it packs up tiny! Raising it 3-4 feet off the ground with 1/4 wave radials really lets it shine. Hope that helps!!
Thanks so much for the answer to my guestions.You have helped me make my decision which to buy.I would love to get the Alex loop but the $600.00 is a little harder to deal with.I love how easy it sets up and you seem to have very little trouble making contacts.I thought the case it came with looked nice and also has pouches for storing other items.l guess you found the quality of material yo be lacking.Also thanks for putting links to most of the gear you are using.I like your videos and look forward to seeing more.Thanks again for the rapid reply.I know it takes much of your time making replies to your viewers.
Any time! I enjoy talking to folks. That’s the main reason I do my channel. The Alex Loop is certainly expensive, no argument there. Truth be told, if I had to pick just one portable antenna, it would be the MC-750. It performs great, tunes easy, and handles 100W no problem too. 73!
Tnx Aaron. I just ordered the pack. A nice step up from the one that comes w/ the Alex Loop
Very nice! I have been impressed with it. It’s about the same size overall, but has more useful space.
Still playing with my putikeg mini CW trainer 🤣 i so look forward trying to get onto your log, and make my first ten at a park in Tuscaloosa county.
I look forward to it too, Keep up the practice and hope to hear you on the air soon!
Nice find. I have the same impression of the bag that comes with it. One day those zippers are gonna give up the ghost. Do the pouches fit in the new bag the same as they do in the HamPack bag? I wanted to hate on those pouches, but they work well with my FT-818 and it's doodads. A bit of a tight fit with the chunky rails I have on it, but it fits.
They should! It’s about the same size main compartment. I did try it with one of the alexloop pouches and it fit well. It’s pretty hard to find backpacks with a full open main compartment that aren’t massive travel bags. I really like this one so far.
@@w4arb I looked for a long time for one for either an 818 or 857. It seems simple, but very few open all the way. That one Gigaparts makes/sells does, but it's huge and doesn't look well suited for carrying very far. Now that I think of it, I wonder if a tailor could swap out the zipper for something better.
I’m sure a tailor could. Also there are some camera backpacks that I found that would theoretically work. But this one works well for what I wanted, plus lots of molle to attach exterior pouches and whips to for extra gear 😅
There are some good instructions out there on building your own mag loop. After seeing how this one does, I wonder how hard it would be one for 80m, which is notoriously noisy.
As far as I’ve seen, it’s not too hard to build 80m and even 160m mag loops. I intend to find out!
That would be sweat if you diy a mag loop, cause id get inspired to make one myself.
I am planning to!
Thanks for sharin Aaron - 73 dit dit
Thanks for watching my friend! dit dit
@@w4arb always
Where did you get that nest looking patch with your call sign and name Aaron? Looks cool.
I ordered it from an Etsy shop, here’s the link: www.etsy.com/listing/1682076473/
@@w4arb Thanks Aaron. Enjoy your videos! W4LOO
Nice early Christmas present! de N2VQD 73s
Agreed! & 73
Aaron is fixing to join a swat team in the bushes with his CW keyer now providing HF coverage with his highspeed low drag backpack and qrp gear😂
Hope your doing well
73, kq4hcu
Haha! Man, that sounds stressful 😂😂 I’ll stick with morsing for fun. Hope you’re doing well too man! 73
@w4arb I wasn't aware some folks that do pota and sota also participate in trail running races and do the CW at the same time. That sounds intriguing, but i wouldn't try running up a trail after knee surgery lol
33 - still shorts weather for this Wisconsin boy.
Hah!! I believe it. My southern blood gets cold easy 😂
What’s you CW tone setting? Sounds much better than 700hz default tone
It’s at 600hz, that’s the tone I always like. 700 is too harsh to my ears haha
Arron I see you have both the Chelegance JPC12 and MC-750.Which one do you think is better and why.Also how do you think the Gabil GRA-7350 compares.I know the Gabil has a smaller footprint.No one better to ask then someone who has experience with them.
Great question! Sorry in advance for the long answer 😂
First, the JPC-12 vs. the MC-750.
The JPC-12 is cheaper, covers 40-6, and works quite well. I’d give 3/5 for build quality. The base unit likes to come apart and is held together by plastic friction sleeves. The whip is a bit flimsy. The included radials love to tangle once you separate them. It’s a loaded vertical on 20/30/40 but it performs well for a loaded vertical and is a nice package. It’s also cheaper.
The MC-750, I give a 5/5 build quality. All parts of it are very solid and I’d compare to Chameleon quality. On 40 it’s a loaded vertical, but it’s physically longer so performs better than the JPC-12. On 30, it’s similar to the JPC-12 since the coil is a fixed length and the whip is made to about 9ft. On 20 and up, it’s a full size 1/4 wave vertical and performs like a full size antenna!
Both come with nice cases and all the parts needed to get on the air.
Now the Gabil, it’s like a tune-able hamstick that breaks down to less a foot. GREAT antenna for carrying on a plane or as a spare antenna. It’s not as good performance as either Chelegance antennas, but man it packs up tiny! Raising it 3-4 feet off the ground with 1/4 wave radials really lets it shine.
Hope that helps!!
Thanks so much for the answer to my guestions.You have helped me make my decision which to buy.I would love to get the Alex loop but the $600.00 is a little harder to deal with.I love how easy it sets up and you seem to have very little trouble making contacts.I thought the case it came with looked nice and also has pouches for storing other items.l guess you found the quality of material yo be lacking.Also thanks for putting links to most of the gear you are using.I like your videos and look forward to seeing more.Thanks again for the rapid reply.I know it takes much of your time making replies to your viewers.
Any time! I enjoy talking to folks. That’s the main reason I do my channel. The Alex Loop is certainly expensive, no argument there. Truth be told, if I had to pick just one portable antenna, it would be the MC-750. It performs great, tunes easy, and handles 100W no problem too. 73!
I have to ask. Why a loop for backpacking. Seems heavy?
I don’t hike distances for my portable operating. I just like backpacks and loops are a nice balance of performance vs. ease of setup
Good morning from Japan DE JF1QFH
Thank you & 73!