There has been quite a lot of online discussion recently about minimizing ham footprints, reducing environmental impact and showing respect for other public space users. Parks on the Air (POTA) has been indelicately described as a 500 pound gorilla due to its immense and still growing popularity among hams. As that growth continues there is … Continue reading A Most Unusual Vertical Antenna for 20m
Tag: Portable
Building a Manpack – Part 3, the QRO Rig
As in Parts 1 and 2, let me define what I mean by "manpack". My manpack is a manually transportable, rapidly deployable, field expedient complete radio station for operating while pedestrian mobile or pedestrian stationary. Why QRO? I have to admit, I love QRP; I started my HF career as a QRP operator and I … Continue reading Building a Manpack – Part 3, the QRO Rig
Year End Review
I am very pleased to learn that Ham Radio Outside the Box appeared in 2 of the top 10 posts in 2023 on Ham Radio Weekly. The post "A strange but proven antenna" occupied 8th place and "A 200ft wire antenna up zero feet" came in at 4th place. Many thanks to Cale K4HCK who … Continue reading Year End Review
Is Your Rig Rugged Enough for Field Deployment?
The term "field deployment" can be interpreted in many different ways. To some it could be as simple and easy as setting up inside a warm, dry, comfy vehicle - although I'll admit it can get darn cold inside a vehicle in winter at northern latitudes. Up, Up and Away Field deployment can also mean … Continue reading Is Your Rig Rugged Enough for Field Deployment?
New Life for a 15 year-old Hendricks PFR-3 QRP Radio
Desperation often leads to innovation, so they say. My order for a QRP-Labs QMX radio is so far down the waiting list that I won't take delivery for several months yet. Why is it that some QRP radio manufacturers have such long waiting lists for their products? It could be that their products are very … Continue reading New Life for a 15 year-old Hendricks PFR-3 QRP Radio
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
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?
Ditch That Automatic Tuner!
I was on the brink of pulling the trigger on the purchase of a new automatic antenna tuner for my portable rig recently, when something unexpected happened that slammed the brakes on the acquisition. For a few weeks I have been operating my Yaesu FT-891 with an LDG Z-11 automatic antenna tuner, but there are … Continue reading Ditch That Automatic Tuner!
My Custom Portable POTA Pack – does it work?
How many ways can you operate when activating a park for the Parks On The Air (POTA) program? I count 4 ways; I have tried them all but one is my favorite. #1 When I read the accounts of other activators on social media I conclude the most popular way is to operate from inside … Continue reading My Custom Portable POTA Pack – does it work?
Simplest Way to Guy a Telescopic Fiberglass Antenna Pole
There are a lot of YouTube videos showing different ways to support a fiberglass antenna pole, none of which seemed to meet my needs which are fairly basic: rapid deployment, lightweight and uncomplicated. So I devised my own method that I hope you will find interesting. Some hams pound a long piece of angle iron … Continue reading Simplest Way to Guy a Telescopic Fiberglass Antenna Pole
Ham Radio Outside the Box 