Ham radio licensees listen up!

[TrickyT]

I was originally thinking about HF while on the go, but honestly don't know how practical that would be. If stopped for the night, I know there are many low cost home-brew antennas I could easily build and string to a tree or some similar mount.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

So you going vanity on us, Andy? Otherwise I though you needed an extra class in order to request a new call sign.


--tom

Got my new call sign--KI6MIE. I am hoping to get a call sign with fewer letters. I probably will get a vanity sign at some point, just so it's easier to say and remember.

 

[alvarorb]

MIE?
Missing in Expedition???

Alvaro

 

[BC_FJC]

I was originally thinking about HF while on the go, but honestly don't know how practical that would be. If stopped for the night, I know there are many low cost home-brew antennas I could easily build and string to a tree or some similar mount.

I am just about finished collecting all the pieces to assemble my portable HF station. I can't see a need to have HF on the road as of today and think that most of the HF antennas are way too fragile to survive use on the trail.

I'm playing around with a few antenna ideas for portable operations, but a long wire sounds like it will make it into the kit but I am also looking for an antenna solution with a smaller footprint that can be deployed in a few minutes (Screwdriver/Dipole)

 

[FJ40_owner]

I am just about finished collecting all the pieces to assemble my portable HF station. I can't see a need to have HF on the road as of today and think that most of the HF antennas are way too fragile to survive use on the trail.

I'm playing around with a few antenna ideas for portable operations, but a long wire sounds like it will make it into the kit but I am also looking for an antenna solution with a smaller footprint that can be deployed in a few minutes (Screwdriver/Dipole)

I run the Hustler Kilowatt resonators just fine. The are band specific and not very broadbanded but I only run 10, 40 and 75.

In camp I run an all band dipole fed with 300 Ohm ladder line (TV wire). I have literally worked the world from the Sierra (Not Plural)

One thing to remember about all these new HF radios is they make alot of heat and draw gobs of current and do NOT like to operate below 12 volts. All well and good you say but a little ragchewing in the cold and your battery may go flat. In my case the Microprocessor in my rig simply shuts down.

You may need 2 batteries or need to run the vehicle.

In any case HF portable or mobile is a blast

JB

 

[siglo]

I've just finished doing most of what I want to do for my mobile HF rig. IC-7000, Ah-4 and Ah-2B whip antenna. The whip performance might not be as great as other antennas (screwdrivers, etc.) but it is more durable. I've hit a couple of trees around the city with moderate speed and so far it managed to survive. I bent it and hook it to my roof rack for parking etc. I still need to do some bonding to get a better ground. I knew I'd face some RF problems because I used a long wire between the antenna coupler/tuner and the whip. I'll try to install the tuner outside the vehicle next to the antenna when I have time. I've worked many DX stations with decent reports. I believe once I polish this setup a bit as planned I'll get even better report.

73

 

[JamesR]

I know I am not alone in the opinion that some form of reliable communications is as an essential component of outfitting as any other that we discuss here. Amateur radio is not the only, nor best choice for everyone, but does have a lot of features to offer that many are not even aware of.

Over the course of the past several years, I have kept a list of the licensed hams that hang out on Mud, as well as a few other Cruiser heads that are not active here... but I know the list is incomplete (there are 20~25 that I know of). Now > 50 - Jun 06... and NOW over 100 - 31 Dec 06

So here is your chance to identify yourself all in one place!

The idea behind this is partially just curiosity - to see how many of us there are here - but also to have a contact list so we can bounce ideas around to better understand and improve communications installations & mods for wheeling safety, expeditioning, and of course for general communications (and, of course, the fun of it ). And, as a point of reference for others who want to get more info or get licensed.

So, all of you licensed hams... post up! If for some reason you do not want to go public with your call sign, please PM me with the info so I can keep you in the loop (in confidence). If you have HF capability, please say so - there is the possibility we might be able to get an informal gathering together from time to time.

Thanks to all! Ron - K6RG

PS: If it's not apparent by your sig, ID your truck (most often used w/radios).

I'm JamesR (James Reeves - KF4AQO EXtra in Watkinsville, GA)
I just joined a week or so ago. I'm building my son's, Josh, FJ.
Josh was KIA in Baghdad a couple of weeks ago. The day after his son was born actually.

 

[Beowulf]

I'm JamesR (James Reeves - KF4AQO EXtra in Watkinsville, GA)
I just joined a week or so ago. I'm building my son's, Josh, FJ.
Josh was KIA in Baghdad a couple of weeks ago. The day after his son was born actually.

James,
I am deeply saddened to hear this. I have sons; the youngest is 15 and I cannot imagine the heartache this must be for you and your family.
-B-

 

[DEEPAIR210]

More of us than you think ...... me? KC9LRE new Tech this Feb, have 70c & 2m in the cruiser, use it often on local repeaters and comes in handy on Scout campouts for weather reports. Will work when cell phones and CB wont! We let all the boys talk on the way back from camp, me as a controll operator. Now we have to draw straws to ride.

 

[Azrocks]

KE7PMI
I have an old Alinco DJ580T HT and am installing a FT8900 for mobile use. Ham radio pushes all my nerd buttons! I'm all about preparedness and another communications option fits the bill perfectly.

 

[canadianmedic2]

Owen
Coquitlam BC
VE7EHS
2m and 70cm Icom 208H mobile
88HJ61VX

 

[Angel?]

Radio : Kenwood TM-D710A
Bands: 2m / 70cm
APRS Voice Alert 144.39 PL 100

 

[Turkeypen]

Newbie to Ham

License: KJ4AOK
Location: Weaverville NC
Cruisers: Yep. Pres. of Upstate Cruisers
Radio: In the market as part of my light expedition build of my 62.

 

[Beowulf]

License: KJ4AOK

Great one, you lucky dog.

-B-

 

[Turkeypen]

Thanks Beowulf!

That's what members of my local Ham club said last night during check in! Speaking of luck Beowulf, watch out for dragons, OK?

Ordered my Yaesu 7800 today and need to figure out the best antenna for a 62 with ARB bumber. (Building for light East Coast trail riding, so lots of limbs and branches, but still want to mount on front bumper)

 

[Beowulf]

Before you get locked in to the bumper location take a look at the several K400 installs on the rear hatch. I think most pictures show it on 80-Series but it should work great on your 60-Series. There is a small Comet dual-band antenna (SBB1 ? ? ) that is flexible and a couple of us use it for trails when trees are an issue.

Let us know if you cannot find the threads and someone will help.
-B-

 

[Turkeypen]

Will do!

Thanks! All advice happily received!

 

[alvarorb]

Turkeypen,

Here's my lipmount install.

On tight trails, I use Commet's SBB1. For more open trails, I have a bigger antenna with more gain.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[e9999]

TP, check my numbers for SWR on the bumper...

 

[TrickyT]

Before you get locked in to the bumper location take a look at the several K400 installs on the rear hatch. I think most pictures show it on 80-Series but it should work great on your 60-Series. There is a small Comet dual-band antenna (SBB1 ? ? ) that is flexible and a couple of us use it for trails when trees are an issue.

Let us know if you cannot find the threads and someone will help.
-B-

I have a K400 with Comet SBB1 on my FJ62 rear hatch and it works great. The K400 is a strong mount, and the SBB1 is short, reasonably flexible, and can take a lot of abuse. I also tried to make a 5/8 wave antenna (forget the brand) work on my ARB front bumper, but could not get it to tune worth a damn using a MFJ-259B analyzer.