KM4IPF Shows the Template for the HF Go Box that Will be Used for Our Dry Tortugas DXpedition

“KM4IPF, AE4FH, and WX4TV are planning a mini DXpedition to the Dry Tortugas later this year and we are building an HF go box to hold the Yaesu FT-857D radio and other gear that will be used to make HF amateur radio contacts while we are down there. Like the FM satellite go box that we made earlier this year, this one will be housed in a Pelican 1510 case. In this video, Hope (KM4IPF) shows how we plan to lay out the equipment in the Pelican Case. We plan to use a Yaesu FT-857D transceiver with an LDG Z-100 Plus autotuner, Tigertronics SignalLink USB, SDRplay RSP2, Buddipole POWERmini charge controller, and Bioenno Power 30 AH LiFePO4 battery.

We are hoping to be able to use this go box for linear satellites as well as HF, so we included the SDR into the mix. We also hope to be able to do some digital modes as well. This trip to the Dry Tortugas is a test run for an idea that Dad (WX4TV) and some other seasoned hams have to give young hams the experience of going on a

DXpedition without the expense and hazard of going to a remote country. The Dry Tortugas offer primitive camping in a National Park. Campers bring everything in and have to bring everything out, like a DXpedition. Our hope is to inspire the next generation of DXpeditioners. On this trip, we will work out the kinks of getting on the air from the island and working with the NPS officials. We hope to take what we learn from this trip and start bringing two or three young hams to the island for four or five nights at a time. Stay tuned as Hope and her siblings build out this go box over the next couple of weeks. We hope to have it complete in time to display at the Dayton Hamvention.”