KB7INO's Portable HF Station Page

My Mobile and Portable HF Radios are :

Radio
 Bands
 Modes Comments
Yaesu FT-817
 HF
6 meter
2 meters
70 centimeters
 All Mode
 Used for Camping and outings
Used for my "Upstairs Shack"
Tokyo High Power TH-HL50B
  - Amplifer
 80-10
6 meter		 All Mode Used for higher power.
Since it only puts out 50 Watts I can still use the LDG Z11
To use on 60 meters, set the band switch to 40 meters.



My Mobile and Portable HF Antennas are :

Antenna
 Bands
LDG Z-11 Auto Tuner
  - This tuner is an integral part of my portable HF antennas
  - with this tuner I just use simple end fed wires
  - with this tuner, dipole length isn't an issue
    - even if you tune an antenna properly, once it changes location,
       the resonant frequency changes
  - Check out my review on www.eham.net
 HF
102" whip
  - mounted on back of van on a bicycle mount
  - or I also have an antenna hitch mount that comes up 3'
  - used for camping trips, not every day
 40-10 meters
  - I use it mostly on :
    - HF Pack - 17
    - HF Pack - 20
80 meters
  - it does load up, but probably not very efficient
102" whip + MO-1 + Spring and 2 quick disconnects
  - 167' total (or 13' 11" total)

 Good for quick set-up intead of the antenna below
Can be used mobile for greater efficiency on lower bands.
16' vertical antenna with 3 x 16' radials
  - I raise it with a Black Widow 20' Fishing Pole
  - The radial are kept in place with screwdrivers in the ground
     - Screwdrivers are better than tent pegs because :
        - Don't need a mallet/hammer
        - has a handle to easily pull out
  - I use a a c-clamp a flat piece of wood to mount to a park table
 I made this for HF Pack
Specifically for 20 and 17 meters

It should load up from 10 to 40
33 foot wire
 - banana jack on end
 40 meter
  - fed with a counterpoise
20 meters
  - end fed
17 meters
  - 5/8 wave
110 foot wire
  - Actually is a 100 foot stainless steel measuring tape
  - Easy to wind up and store when in the field
  - 10 feet of wire with a banana jack attached to end
     - I can tie off the wire off secure the antenna
 80 meter
  - 3/8 wave
60 meters
40 meter
66 foot dipole
 - fed with 20 feet of twin lead
 - fed the 10 feet of co-ax
80 - 17 meter




Lessons learned about portable HF antenna

1 - Have an easy, antenna raising system.

I use a Black Widow 20' Fishing Pole to raise my vertical antenna and the 33' end fed.

My mounting system for a day at the park consists of :

My mounting system for camping consists of :

2 -  Make "easy" contacts

Many times ( at least for me ) camping is not just to do ham-radio, it is time spend with the family.
Usually I just want to make a contact just to say I've done it.
( I realize that Field Day and contesting events don't fall into this category ;)

So I decided that I would call CQ on places where I know a contact will most likely be made :

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