What is a "Radio Camp"? Put simply, a Radio Camp is a rapidly deployable temporary setup established for the primary purpose of operating ham radio outdoors. It is not quite the same as a traditional vacation or RV camp. A Radio Camp might be setup for a very short period (e.g. for the duration of … Continue reading How to Prep for Radio Camp
Category: Miscellaneous topics
A Very Versatile Unun for Field Operations
Whenever I venture out into the Big Blue Sky Shack - which is often (even in winter) - my entire station has to fit into a backpack. Radio, Bioenno LFP battery, paddles, headphones, logbook, pencils, lapdesk, antennas, stool and all the other bits and pieces necessary to operate out in the bush. Everything has to … Continue reading A Very Versatile Unun for Field Operations
Ham Radio – it’s a dirty business
I could have given this post a title such as "How I Became Dependent on Alcohol" but enough of the linguistic deception. Some of my recent experiences with operating in the field have convinced me to spend more time maintaining my equipment. Oh, and yes, alcohol does enter into it. It started back in the … Continue reading Ham Radio – it’s a dirty business
Is a 20m Antenna also Resonant at 2.4GHz?
In a previous post I wrote that I would be adding SSB and Data capabilities to my recently constructed plastic "ammo case" go-box for operations out in the Big Blue Sky Shack. Those modifications were completed much more quickly than I had anticipated. I am primarily a CW operator and have no immediate intention to … Continue reading Is a 20m Antenna also Resonant at 2.4GHz?
A DIY Antenna Launcher – for pennies
There are countless methods of launching a wire antenna into a tree that have been written about online. For example a PVC pipe air pressure machine. Sounds downright dangerous to me. Maybe they work just fine, but what if one of the joints isn't glued properly and the darned thing explodes in your face? Besides, … Continue reading A DIY Antenna Launcher – for pennies
A New FT-891 Ammo Case Go-Box for POTA
My inner voice recently told me to stop building, re-building, re-engineering and modifying my outdoor operations kit and just go get on the air with it. I told my inner voice to hush-up; I need to do this. Each iteration of my design feels like the ultimate build - until it has been out to … Continue reading A New FT-891 Ammo Case Go-Box for POTA
How to Self-Spot Off-Grid for SOTA/POTA Using HF
FT8 - the Marmite Mode Over in the UK grocery stores sell a product called "Marmite". It is a dark, sticky, yeast-based product with a very strong flavor. Aussies have a similar product called "Vegemite". These products are either loved or hated; so when the adjective "Marmite" is attached to something it means people are … Continue reading How to Self-Spot Off-Grid for SOTA/POTA Using HF
Can Just 1 Radial Really Be Better than 8, or More?
If you follow the advice often repeated on Internet forums you will learn that to make a vertical antenna as efficient as possible you will need as many radials as possible. After all, the AM broadcasters can't be wrong - they use hundreds of radials at the base of their towers. That advice may be … Continue reading Can Just 1 Radial Really Be Better than 8, or More?
9:1, 4:1, 1:1 or None:None?
When using a Random Wire antenna (also known as an End-Fed Random Wire - EFRW), the impedance at the feed end of the wire is usually higher than 50 ohms. In order to maintain a good match with a transceiver some form of impedance transformation is required to minimize SWR losses in the antenna system. … Continue reading 9:1, 4:1, 1:1 or None:None?
A 200ft Wire Antenna Up Zero Feet – How Does it Perform?
One of my local stores was offering 100ft reels of 16ga insulated wire on sale for a good price. I have bought this wire before and was very pleased with its flexibility - an important factor for field portable use where the antenna is subjected to constant winding and unwinding. The wire extends 200ft across … Continue reading A 200ft Wire Antenna Up Zero Feet – How Does it Perform?
Ham Radio Outside the Box 