Building the ultimate “no kit”

So this topic has been kicked around so much that I've tried to avoid it entirely.

Not because it's a taboo topic or the grand old debate about whether it is radio or not, but instead, it’s the “pink elephant” in the room. The Go-boxes I’ve seen make me think that the builder “threw the kitchen sink at it.” Trying to consider how to cram it into a pelican box—making it too complex and unwieldy in the field. I love a well-laid-out configuration, but do you need to pack four different antennas for the activation?

So, let us take a different slant, shall we?

Instead of setting out the goal to build an “ultimate go-box,” consider making for a purpose. Design modular “puzzle” components that are the “must haves” into small clear mesh bags. Build “home base” stations for charging and storage for your grab bags and use Lists.

Have laminated lists of what constitutes an HF activation, a VHF/Satellite outing, SOTA, or a drive-up POTA.

Then use a color-coded system to grab the necessary items quickly, throw them into a pack, and off you go.

Take this card system and test it out, see what is missing from each of these “trial runs” and revise and update.

I encourage you to give this a try and report back on your experience. As Ted Lasso always says “stay curious…”