The 5H1WX Tanzania DXpedition by OK2WX is scheduled to run from September 18 to October 6 from Mafia Island (IOTA-AF-054) on 80-10M in CW, SSB, and Digital modes. Mafia Island, known as Chole Shamba in Swahili, is the third largest in Tanzania’s ocean territory (152 square miles) and has a population of more than 66,000.
Before we discuss some of the Tanzania QSL cards from the DX Engineering team, let’s take a closer look at this unique East African nation—one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas on the planet.
At 365,756 square miles in area, Tanzania is larger than Texas (261,914 square miles) but smaller than Alaska (570,641 square miles), ranking it as the 13th largest African nation and the 30th largest in the world. Per one source, its population of over 67.4 million ranks it as the 23rd most populated country in the world, sandwiched between South Africa and Thailand. It stands as the fifth most-populated African country behind Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Its population density of 180 inhabitants per square mile places it at 147th among nations of the world. The highly biodiverse country contains one-fifth of the species of African warm-blooded animals, including the world’s largest population of lions.
More than 100 languages are spoken in the heavily agriculturally based country, which is dependent on harvesting maize, cassava, beans, bananas, rice, and other crops. Travel and tourism also contribute a healthy portion to the country’s economy. While the country has no official language, 10% of Tanzanians speak its national language of Swahili as a first language and 90% speak it as a second language. Its name is a combination of the two states that merged to form the country in 1964: Tanganyika and Zanzibar (see QSL cards).
The active hams at DX Engineering have had great success contacting Tanzania over the years (a good reason to contact them for help with your gear if you’d like to do the same). Here are a few of the QSL cards from their collections.
Mark, W8BBQ, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, made contact with 5H1Z in January 2011 on 20M SSB. The DXpedition was from Zanzibar Island (IOTA AF-032).
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Tom, KB8UUZ, DX Engineering technical writer, reached 5H8TL from Tabora, Tanzania, the capital of the country’s Tabora region (population 227,000). With its streets lined with mango trees and markets brimming with local produce, Tabora is known as the Fruit Capital of Western Tanzania.
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George, K3GP, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, reached 5I3A from Yambe Island in July 2000 and 5H1HS from Zanzibar in 2009. Yambe Island is a protected, uninhabited island east of the city of Tanga in Tanzania. It is the largest island in the Tanga Region and home to medieval Swahili ruins—hidden in its forests—that have yet to be excavated.
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Dave, K8DV, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, reached 5H3RK in November 2008 on 30M CW.
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Both Dave, N8NB, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, and Tom, KB8UUZ, made contact with 5H3EE from Dar es Salaam (the name comes from the Arabic for “Abode of Peace”). It is Tanzania’s largest city (population 7.4 million) and financial center, the sixth-largest city in Africa, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
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Wayne, K8FF, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, produced this vintage card from 5H3JR when Tanzania was known as Tanganyika.
Editor’s Note: Every month, DX Engineering features QSL cards from our team members’ personal collections. To highlight upcoming DXpeditions, we’ll be displaying a few of our favorite cards along with details about what it took to make these contacts. We’re excited to share some of the special cards pulled from the thousands we’ve received over the years. We look forward to seeing your cards as well!
This is the first of a two-part article about RF when you are operating “in the field,” meaning away from a fixed station.
For example, when you are operating a portable station for Parks On The Air (POTA), that’s considered “in the field” whether you are in an actual field or a parking lot or not even outside. Field Day certainly qualifies in most cases.
Because these are temporary situations, you have to apply a different set of techniques to get everything working and keep it working.
“RF Management”–What Does That Mean?
In both parts of this article, I’ll consider the RF to be from your transmitted signal. There is certainly RF floating around from other signals, and some might be very strong, but let’s deal with your transmitted signal here.
What does the “management” part mean, though?
I have been using the term to include all of the various techniques that are used to keep our RF where it belongs and out of where it doesn’t belong. That includes configuring your station so that it performs correctly when you are transmitting. So, we are going “manage” how your station performs when the strong RF is present.
As you’ll see, that covers a surprisingly wide range of concerns.
Where Is the RF?
Better to ask, Where isn’t the RF? That is really a better question than the first part.
We tend to think of our station as “over here” and the antenna radiating RF as “over there,” so the RF just flies away in the direction of other stations. Well, not quite. You, the operator, and your station are very, very close to where that strong RF is launched, at least electrically.
Let’s ask a question: What is the wavelength of a 40 meter signal?
Not a trick question! It’s about 40 meters, which is about 132 feet. More specifically, a 7.15 MHz signal has a wavelength of about 42 meters, which is about 137 feet.
Note that only two of the HF bands contain the wavelength by which they’re known: 160 meters at 1.875 MHz and 80 meters at 3.75 MHz.
If your 40 meter antenna is closer to you than about 1/2 wavelength, or 60-something feet, you’re right in the near field of the antenna! It takes another 100 feet or more to get you out of the strong RF field.
The resulting strength of your signal is going to be STRONG!
In your station, fixed or portable, everything acts as an antenna! (Graphic from Grounding & Bonding for the Radio Amateur, 2nd Edition, courtesy of the ARRL)
As a result, RF is going to be picked up by just about every bit of conductive material within 100 feet or more of the antenna. Pro tip—you are conductive as well.
Everything in your station—everything—is going to have RF voltage and RF current on it. Unless you are operating in a metal shipping container, you might as well figure out how to deal with RF.
Let’s start with your station equipment.
RF and the Equipment Table—Bonding
Take a look at your typical portable setup. There will be a radio, power supply, maybe an antenna tuner, a laptop or tablet for logging and digital modes, headphones or other audio gear, and a gadget or two. All of these are connected together with short antennas…er…wires and cables.
If you just throw everything on the table and hook it all up, there are lots of paths for RF to follow. Some might be low impedance so the RF current is high, and some might be high impedance so the RF voltage is high. The end of any unconnected wire or cable will be a high impedance point and that’s where you get an “RF burn”—on microphones, keys, and isolated metal boxes. You never forget an RF burn on your lips from touching a “hot” metal microphone!
These aren’t particularly hazardous, but they are obnoxious!
Even more obnoxious is equipment misbehaving when you press the key or mike switch. Maybe an automatic tuner decides to suddenly re-tune, a computer keyboard freezes up, or a radio changes a setting. This is caused by RF current getting into (or out of) something it shouldn’t. And what causes RF current to flow? RF voltage! More specifically, a difference of RF voltage between pieces of equipment.
If you can minimize the difference in voltage between pieces of equipment, you will also minimize RF current flowing between them along connecting cables.
That’s what bonding does for you.
If you look up “bonding” in an electrical dictionary, you’ll find that it is “a connection between two points to keep them at the same potential or voltage.” That’s all—no fancy implications or calculations. You just want to keep everything on the equipment table at the same voltage, and you do that by bonding them together with heavy wires or straps. The wires and straps should be short so they don’t have an appreciable impedance of their own.
In a portable setup, the easiest way to bond everything is to connect all of the equipment directly together. Have an assortment of jumper wires (#12-16 is good) or straps (flat tinned braid works well) that connect to screws on the metal enclosures. Powerpole connectors on the wires allow the equipment to be bonded however you arrange it. I recommend using green wire insulation and connector bodies, signifying a ground connection.
Another option is to put some aluminum foil under all the equipment and connect the enclosures to it with heavy test clip leads (#18 or heavier). The metal surface helps equalize voltage.
This is a great addition to any go-kit and has saved Field Day for me more than once.
The foil weighs hardly anything, so you can even use it for Summits On The Air (SOTA) stations carried in your pack. When you’re done, wad it up and recycle it. The foil surface should be big enough to cover a strip under all your equipment. I find a three-to-four-foot strip is more than adequate.
RF and the Station Wiring
What about all those cables connecting everything together? There are three basic techniques that will reduce or eliminate most RF problems:
Use the shortest cables you can. One-foot USB and audio cables are available.
Coil up excess cable in a figure-8 to minimize its inductance and the RF voltage it will pick up.
Use shielded cables for everything and avoid plastic, unshielded boxes for equipment enclosures.
Have Type/Mix 31 (preferred) or 43 ferrite clamp-on cores available.
What is a figure-8 winding? This is a handy technique for all kinds of cable, including coax feed lines, power cables, and extension cords. The basic idea is illustrated in the last half of this YouTube video on cable winding for video work. If you practice these techniques, you’ll avoid creating a spiral twist that creates kinks. For small cables, you can wind the figure-8, then fold the two halves together. Winding half the turns in opposite directions causes a magnetic field to create equal-but-opposite voltages in the coil, minimizing RF pickup.
If you use the aluminum foil approach or have a metal table, lay the cables, including the excess length all coiled up, on the foil. That minimizes the length of cable exposed to the RF fields.
If you do need the ferrite cores, place them on the affected cable as close to the equipment experiencing interference as possible. Wind several turns of the cable onto the core before snapping it shut. Be sure both surfaces of the core are flat against each other. This creates an impedance that blocks the RF current where it is getting into the equipment.
If you’re not sure what mix makes up a “mystery core,” it’s worth buying a half dozen, then labeling or color coding them as in this photo of a ferrite core kit. The toroids can be used to wind multiple turns of coax and power cords. Snap-ons can be labeled with a permanent marker or colored tape.
(Image/DX Engineering)
A combination approach that accomplishes bonding and keeps all of your equipment together is a portable rack. These have metal shelves and rails with an overall plastic enclosure. They’re usually available as portable audio equipment racks.
You can install all of your portable equipment more or less permanently in one of these racks. This lets you bond everything, use short cables, and debug all of the wiring so that when you take the rack of gear to the field, you know it will work with a minimum amount of setup.
True, a rack is heavier and not suitable for backpacking, but for many portable vehicle-based scenarios, it will be just fine.
These photos are from my Field Day operation in 2023 showing an IC-7000 and an FT-7900 in a standard portable audio rack. All of the equipment is bonded to the metal rack shelf. The operating table is my great-Aunt Ruth’s!
Despite your best efforts—and every field setup is different—you may find that transmitting on a particular band “lights up” the station equipment (or the operator). You might see RF interference to equipment, or a “hot spot” may cause a tingle (or more!) on some frequencies.
In this case, use a 1/4-wavelength piece of wire (calculate as 470/f in MHz–length is not critical) attached to the affected equipment on one end with an alligator clip and left open on the other. Insulate the open end.
This detuning wire will create a low-impedance point, lowering RF voltage where the wire is attached. The open end may have high voltages on it, so insulate it and don’t put it where you might touch it or step on it with bare feet! (Don’t ask me how I learned this…) Have one detuning wire for each band you plan on using.
RF on the Antenna System
Other than on the antennas themselves, as discussed earlier, RF is going to be picked up by every conductor in your station, including by the antenna feed lines as common-mode current. This is a particular challenge in mobile operation since the vehicle body is part of the antenna. The RF picked up by the feed line will flow into your station and cause problems unless you take steps to block it:
Use a common-mode choke (ferrite or wound-coax) where the feed line attaches to station equipment.
Add one or more chokes along the feed line between the station and antenna. If you are using an end-fed half-wave (EFHW) antenna, a choke at the impedance transformer may affect the antenna’s SWR. Check the antenna manual for guidance.
If you are using a vertical antenna, such as a whip with a base-loading coil close to the ground, place some chicken wire or hardware cloth under the antenna to act as a ground plane. Route the feed line underneath it to maximize the shielding effect.
If your antenna is mounted on a vehicle, bond the antenna mount to the body with a heavy wire as close to the mount as possible. This helps keep the feed line from becoming part of the antenna.
In a vehicle, operate with the doors closed to keep RF on the outer surfaces. A ferrite choke where a feed line enters the vehicle is also helpful.
Finally, what about a ground connection to the Earth itself?
Generally, you don’t need one! Most generators do not require a ground rod or connection—check the manual.
A vertical antenna will require radials or a ground screen as in item three above but does not need a direct connection to the soil. Horizontally polarized antennas like dipoles, most EFHWs, and double-whips will be de-tuned by a ground connection. In many public places, it is not allowed to drive stakes or rods into the ground.
What about lightning protection?
In a portable or mobile setup, the best advice during storms is to lower the antennas to the ground, disconnect the feed line and secure it at least six feet from the station. There is little you can do to protect your equipment from a lightning strike in the field. Take shelter yourself! If you’re in a vehicle and lightning is striking nearby, close the doors and try not to touch any metal until the storm passes.
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This article touched on some of the important aspects of dealing with the strong RF you’ll encounter when operating a portable station. In the next article, I’ll discuss some concerns for RF safety in these setups, an often-overlooked aspect of setting up away from home.
So you’re building a small dual-band Yagi and the instructions tell you to split the coax at the feedpoint. Stop right there. DX Engineering’s Michael Murphy, KI8R, shows you a better solution in the video below from DX Engineering’s YouTube channel.
Using a DX Engineering Flanged Feedpoint Connector and compatible hardware mounted to the boom will save you troubles down the road by keeping your coax connector water-tight. Plus, KI8R shares tips on how to seal all your antenna connectors to keep your coax free from damaging moisture using 3M Temflex 2155 Rubber Splicing Tape and 3M Scotch Super 33 Plus Vinyl Electrical Tape.
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More About DX Engineering Flanged Feedpoint Connectors
These handy parts provide a direct transition from the coaxial cable to feedpoint for Yagi, loop-fed arrays, rotatable dipoles, and other antennas that do not have a coaxial connector.
The worry of failed weatherproofing at the end of a stripped coax is eliminated for the 50-ohm beam or loop antenna feedpoint with stud terminals. Flanged feedpoint connectors allow direct connection of a PL-259 or N male terminated coaxial cable.
Choose from three versions of DX Engineering Flanged Feedpoint Connectors:
Silver-soldered solid tinned-copper 12 AWG wire leads to the silver-plated connector, which is epoxy potted into a plastic housing for a weather-sealed direct feedpoint connection
Color-coded heat shrink (red is center; black is shield)
DX Engineering Flanged Feedpoint Connectors are also ideal for phased antenna pairs or multiples, on which a coaxial cable ferrite RF bead choke is desired at the feedpoint in place of a traditional balun. DX Engineering’s 40-bead DXE-FBC Ferrite Bead Choke Kit (below) fits on 0.405-inch diameter coax cable, like RG-213U and RG-8U, prior to connector installation.
For the 50-ohm beam or loop antenna feedpoint with stud terminals, we recommend using a combination of the DXE-FFPC-SO239 Flanged Feedpoint Connector, DXE-FFPM Mounting Bracket, and DXE-FBC Ferrite Bead Choke Kit.
Let’s start with a story about how NOT to strip wires. Back in the day, I worked with a fellow who had the unique talent of stripping wires with his teeth!
Well, just two of his teeth, actually.
It seems that at some point in his youth, he chipped the adjacent corners of his two front teeth just a little bit. The size of that little gap was just right for hookup wire, telephone wire, and all sorts of other wires. He would put the wire between his teeth, bite down just a little, and pull. Voila! Wire stripped and insulation spit out.
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!
Lucky for us, there are many great and inexpensive tools for getting insulation off of wires. You might only need to do that occasionally or you might need to strip dozens of wire ends. Whatever your need, there is a tool for you.
Let’s start with the most common and inexpensive manual stripper.
Basic Wire Strippers
My first order of business is to warn you about the too-cheap, no-name combo tools. While it might be nice to have one of those in the glove compartment for emergencies, they really aren’t quality workbench and toolbox tools. Good tools will last and last while doing the job right, so spend the extra few bucks on a “real” wire stripper from a solid tool company. If you need to spend a few bucks to qualify for free shipping, you could do a lot worse than to buy a good spare stripper.
Below is the Klein 1010, a basic wire stripper from Klein Tools, a well-known and trusted name in the electrical industry. As you can see, it not only strips and cuts wires from 10-22 AWG but crimps terminals, cuts small screws, bends wire, and has small plier jaws.
This is a low-maintenance tool. Keep it clean and free of rust and it will be your toolbox buddy forever.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Once I discovered it, I’ve used the small-screw cutter many times, making a short screw that was just right for the job. The important thing is to insert the screw so that after it’s been cut, you use the threaded part of the cutter to clean and re-align any distorted threads as you removed the screw. And sometimes, the little studs that are left can be used to join nuts or spacers.
You can tell I never throw anything away!
If you do a lot of home AC wiring, you can also find heavier strippers designed for the Romex-style cable and wire sizes you’ll encounter in those jobs. These will do a better job than the small strippers for electronic and radio work. They are also a little easier on your hands for the harder squeezing and pulling necessary for that type of work.
The pocket-friendly Squirt ES4 is a nice variation in the Leatherman line of multi-tools. Widely available used and occasionally new or in similar models, it includes a dandy little combination of wire stripper/cutter/needle-nosed pliers.
Folded up, the tool is less than two inches long. You’ll forget you’re carrying it, which is a bad thing if you try to take it through airport security! I’ve had to give up a couple of these that way, which is probably why they’re available used! Larger Leatherman multi-tools are also available with wire strippers.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Using manual strippers is pretty straightforward: insert the wire into the appropriate hole, squeeze, and pull. But there are a few fine points:
Be sure to use the right size hole, otherwise you’ll nick solid wire (leading it to break when bent) or cut off strands of stranded wire.
Using a too-large hole means you’ll get a ragged edge on the insulation and often pull the wire out of a multi-conductor cable.
Don’t rock the stripper back and forth because that will nick the wire. If you have to do this to get the insulation off, either you’ve used the wrong hole or the jaws are dull and the tool should be replaced.
Pull the wire straight through the stripper and don’t bend it, causing nicks and cutting strands.
If you find the stripping force pulling one wire out of a multi-conductor cable, use needle-nosed pliers to hold the wire while it’s being stripped.
Using a diagonal wire cutter as a stripper is a skill many of us old-timers have developed. Like my friend with the chipped teeth, there is a knack to doing it without damaging the wire. A gentle squeeze will put a nick in the insulation which will then break and slide off the wire. This will only work reliably on insulation that breaks cleanly and won’t leave a clean edge on the insulation.
Automatic Strippers
Sometimes you’ll find yourself faced with having to strip many wires for a big wiring job or preparing multi-conductor cable for a rotator or control circuit. If you are installing crimp terminals or connector pins, you need to strip all of the wires consistently and with the right length of exposed wire. This is where a self-adjusting wire stripper comes in very handy.
Properly set, these strippers will make a consistent, clean strip over and over. That results in higher quality work with better reliability.
Another item in the Klein Tools catalog, the Klein 11061 is a typical example of these tools. They don’t have all of the accessory features of the 1010 but make short and consistent (there’s that word again) work of stripping a lot of wires. After you insert the wire between the jaws, squeeze the handles—the jaws clamp the wire, and the blades come together to cut and pull off the insulation.
The Performance Tool W200 is a variation of the automatic strippers. It has jaws to hold the wire and a pair of cutting blades that come together and pull off the insulation. The sequence is completely automatic and the design of these tools to make this sequence happen is pretty nifty.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Pistol-grip adjustable automatic strippers are also available, such as the Tool Aid 19100. The wire is inserted in the end of the jaws until it contacts the adjustable stop. Squeeze the jaws and the tool does the rest. This tool is intended for smaller gauge wire from 12 to 22 AWG.
I’ve used all of the different types of strippers and each has their appropriate role. I carry a manual and an automatic stripper in my tool kit. These are also fairly inexpensive and worth adding to your tool roster. You might also enjoy Adam Savage demonstrating how these work in this entertaining video.
Stripping Enameled Wire
So far, we’ve focused on wire with plastic insulation, and that is most of the jobs you’ll encounter. However, if you wind toroids or impedance transformers or baluns, it’s common to use enameled wire which is harder to strip. You want to avoid nicking the wire with a cutter or knife—it will break from mechanical or thermal flexing—so a different technique is required.
A convenient method for occasional use is to use sandpaper or emery boards. A small strip of sandpaper held between your fingers to squeeze the wire is an easy skill to learn. Squeeze the wire, rotate it, and pull it in and out of the sandpaper. This scrapes off the enamel without damaging the wire underneath.
If you have a big project with a lot of inductors or transformers, you can save yourself a lot of work (and sore hands) by using a power tool to scrape off the enamel. The Abisofix tool shown in the photo and this video will do the job on a wide range of wire sizes from 12 to 24 AWG. For very fine wires, the manual method is best for the home builder.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Removing Heavy Insulation
A situation you’ll encounter frequently is removing the outer insulation from multi-conductor cables like rotator control or networking cable. If you don’t have a special cable stripper, you’ll have to use a knife or razor blade to remove the insulation. Be sure to use a SHARP, new blade for a utility or craft knife. A dull blade will make this job hard to do well.
Score the insulation—cut the insulation but not all the way through. You can hold the cable in one hand and cut with the other, but an easier and more controlled way is to place the cable on a work surface and roll it under the blade.
Do not cut into any of the inner conductors. It’s best to cut too shallowly at first, then go deeper as needed.
Bend the insulation back and forth so that it breaks along the score. You may need to touch up the scoring in spots.
Twist the insulation off in the same direction that the individual strands twist.
If you are working with coaxial cable, use a stripping tool for coax if possible. Those tools are well-covered in other On All Bands articles and videos.
However, sometimes you have to strip coax manually. First, when removing the outer insulation, be extra careful not to cut through the fine strands of shield braid. Take your time and work through the outer insulation. Use your sharpest wire cutters when removing the braid. Then repeat the score-and-bend technique to loosen the center insulation.
It’s often hard to pull off coax’s solid center insulation without pulling it partially out of the braid. You can use manual wire strippers to hold the remaining insulation while pulling off the unwanted part. Carefully close the strippers on the center conductor using a stripper hole one or two wire sizes larger than the conductor so it doesn’t nick the coax conductor. Then slowly pull off the center insulation, remembering to twist the insulation in the same direction as the strands of wire.
Use the Right Tool
Just to repeat the message, use the right tool for the job and learn how to use it properly. So many problems in the ham station trace back to connectors and wires breaking or pulling loose. By doing it right the first time, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and keep ham radio fun. No matter what the type of wire or cable, there has probably been a special tool designed for it.
Many are quite inexpensive—don’t you have a birthday coming up?
It’s hard to keep up with all the new amateur radio gear you’ll find at DX Engineering! The latest products from leading manufacturers are being added weekly to the 30,000-plus ham radio items—from more than 175 top amateur radio providers—available at DXEngineering.com.
OnAllBands is dedicated to making sure you’re not missing out on that station addition that will improve your contesting scores, help you work more DX, upgrade your emergency preparedness, and enhance your 0verall enjoyment of the world’s greatest hobby.
DX Engineering has you covered with a bunch of new products you’ll want to add to your amateur radio must-have list, from premade coax assemblies to a new Icom handheld receiver. DX Engineering’s Michael Murphy, KI8R, highlights a few of the latest offerings in the video below.
Like what you see? Click on the links below for all the details.
DX Engineering Sponsors September 2024 Activation of Pitcairn Island
Pitcairn Island QRV in September, 2024
One of the world’s most intriguing locations is scheduled to be on the air from September 5-15 thanks to the VP6WR DXpedition by Bill Rothwell, G0VDE. The 80-10M operation will be, per his website, on “SSB, FT8, and some RTTY” from the small volcanic island—the least populous national jurisdiction (less than 50 people) in the world and the spot where, in 1790, mutineers from the H.M.S. Bounty settled after famously burning the ship.
G0VDE will follow up the Pitcairn Island DXpedition with an operation from Mangareva as FO/G0VDE (Gambier, IOTA OC-63) from September 17-21. Look for updated details at the VP6WR website.
Hustler 4BTV 4-Band HF Vertical Antenna and DXE Installation Guide Package: The package comes with the real-world-proven Hustler 40/20/15/10M trap vertical antenna plus the essential 60-page instruction manual, which includes details on achieving maximum performance through installing a complete radial system, plus many more tips on turning this vertical into a DXing powerhouse.
The avid DXers at DX Engineering have made several contacts with operators on Pitcairn Island, as well as Ducie Island (one of the uninhabited coral atolls of the Pitcairn Islands), over the years. Here are a few of the QSL cards from their collections.
Tom, KB8UUZ, DX Engineering technical writer, reached the 2019 VP6R Pitcairn Island DXpeditionon 20/17/15M SSB. The VP6R DXpedition team battled muddy trails, challenging propagation, lightning, gale force winds, torrential rains, and even feral cats pouncing on keyboards to log more than 82,000 QSOs during their successful stay on this much-coveted DXCC entity in the South Pacific.
(Image/DX Engineering)(Image/DX Engineering)
As the card shows on the front, VP6R received strong support from DX Engineering, which supplied the operating team with a range of DX Engineering branded equipment:
Also going along for the trip to Pitcairn Island was DX Engineering’s custom-designed 90-foot top-loaded 160M vertical antenna, featuring heavy-duty hinged pivot base (a “work of art,” according to VP6R’s Nodir, EY8MM) with custom base insulators to accommodate a 40-foot falling derrick made with three-inch diameter pipe. Originally built to handle the high winds of Bouvet Island, the antenna’s modular design allowed it to be easily downsized if weather conditions made it difficult to install at full size on the island. The crew sent us this photo of the antenna poised against a starlit sky.
(Image/The VP6WR DXpedition)
Mark, W8BBQ, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, did some serious band-filling during the five-operator VP6T Pitcairn Island DXpedition in January 2012. He made contact on 80M, 40M, 30M, 17M, 12M, and 10M CW, and 20M, 17M, 15M, 12M, and 10M SSB.
Organized by Jacques F6BEE, the VP6T DXpedition made 56,300 QSOs in 11 days.
(Image/DX Engineering)
George, K3GP, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, received three different QSL cards from the January 2008 VP6PR DXpedition, each one featuring a different photo from Pitcairn Island. Dave, N8NB, DX Engineering technical support specialist, reached VP6PR on 17M RTTY.
George, K3GP, joined thousands of DXers around the world by earning this QSL card—actually, a 32-page booklet—from the 2008 DX Engineering-sponsored VP6DX Ducie Island DXpedition. The VP6DX crew logged a whopping 183,584 QSOs.
Editor’s Note: Every month, DX Engineering features QSL cards from our team members’ personal collections. To highlight upcoming DXpeditions, we’ll be displaying a few of our favorite cards along with details about what it took to make these contacts. We’re excited to share some of the special cards pulled from the thousands we’ve received over the years. We look forward to seeing your cards as well!
What’s not to love about vertical antennas like the Cushcraft HV-4E?
Vertical antennas offer an omnidirectional signal pattern, take up very little space, and are easy to install. They do not necessarily require support structures such as trees and buildings, but it’s a good idea to guy them to prevent wind damage. Functionally, they have a low angle of radiation, which is favorable to DX. Evidence suggests that vertically polarized antennas are better for short-range (ground wave) communications.
The Cushcraft HV-4E arrived in a relatively small box, barely 38 inches long and weighing about five pounds. My UPS guy looked happier than usual, given that he’d lugged some huge boxes to the porch on past trips.
Editor’s note: MFJ, a longtime manufacturer of ham radio products, ceased production in May 2024. DX Engineering still has many MFJ products in stock, including the HV-4E and other Cushcraft and Hy-Gain items, as well as MFJ branded devices.
What Is It?
Cushcraft’s HV-4E Vertical Antennais an economical, 19-foot low-profile antenna designed to improve operating efficiency and bandwidth on 40M.
On 40M, the antenna is a center-loaded vertical. On 20-10M, it’s a top-loaded vertical. The power rating of this antenna varies from band to band with a minimum 1 kW SSB, 400W CW/digital.
(Image/Cushcraft)
The HV-4E uses parallel end resonators for automatic band-switching instead of series traps. According to Cushcraft, the high-Q top-loading resonators deliver less loss and higher gain on 20, 15, and 10 meters. Center loading on 40 meters improves efficiency and lowers the center of gravity, making the HV-4E easier to handle and increasing its survivability in strong winds.
Optional accessories include a tilt mount that lets you lower the antenna to a convenient height for tuning and maintenance.
Of course, you’ll need radials—a minimum of four for portable operation and eight or more for a permanent installation. MFJ 1932 Ground Radial Kits have two sets of four radials with ring connectors, or you can make your own.
The MFJ 1901 Portable Ground-Coupled Antenna Base is a handy mounting plate for Field Day or POTA activations.
It’s Always Something
As some early reviews mentioned, the antenna has an issue with the coil assembly.
It looks fine at first glance, but there’s a hidden problem. The coil lug connections were soldered right over the unprepared enameled wire already inserted into the lug. Given the size of the coil wire, the end should have been sanded with fine-grit sandpaper and tinned lightly with solder before it was inserted into the lug.
To be safe, you should redo all eight connections.
Construction
Other than correcting glitches, the assembly took little time and was fairly easy to accomplish with the included directions. It’s primarily small hardware installation and assembling the aluminum tubing. Plan on about two hours in addition to the coil repair.
When choosing a location, mount the antenna in a clear location above or away from buildings, towers, feedlines, utility wires, and other antennas. Always mount this antenna so that it is out of the reach of adults and children.
You’ll need some type of support on each end of the antenna while you build it. A pair of sawhorses works well, keeping everything within reach and making spoke installation much easier. Assembly can easily be done by one person. But when the antenna is ready to be mounted or moved, it’s a good idea to get some help to avoid possible damage to the antenna.
Tuning the antenna will take time—more than you might expect. Be sure your radials are in place before you begin. After the initial build, this antenna’s normal resonant frequency is at or below the bottom of each amateur band. Checking the results can be done with an SWR meter, but an antenna analyzer or Vector Network Analyzers (VNA) will make tracking changes much easier. Stand about 10-20 feet away from the antenna so your body will not detune it.
You adjust tuning by changing the length of the top section starting with 40 meters, then 20, 15, and 10. To raise the resonant frequency, you must trim a small amount off the inside end of the capacitance spokes. This requires temporarily dropping the antenna down to a level where you can pull, trim, and reinstall the spokes. The optional tilt base makes this job much easier.
Refer to the chart for initial antenna measurements and approximate the amount of spoke to be trimmed for each band in the instruction manual—it’s a good starting point. I found the information fairly accurate, and it may save you some time and additional trimming.
Getting on the Air
The first install was on a 10-foot pole in the backyard with two elevated 1/4 wave radials per band.
However, I found the antenna behaved better at ground level with eight radials I made to the MFJ 1932 kit specs. The antenna and radials were attached using the supplied U-bolts to the top of a three-foot piece of steel mast, driven into the ground. Eighty feet of RG-8X 50-ohm coaxial cable connected the HV-4E to a Yaesu FT-710 HF/50 MHz Base/Portable Transceiver in the shack.
I tuned the antenna for lowest SWR mid-band on 40-10, yielding readings of 1.3:1 or less. An unexpected bonus was that it was also resonant on 11 meters. Dust off your old CB radio and give it a try.
While on the air, I made several Kansas QSO Party contacts. I also snagged the Z36T DXpedition in North Macedonia. Not bad for a 19-foot antenna at ground level.
Impressions
Four bands, compact antenna, surprisingly good performance—it brings to mind one of the classics, Hustler’s 4BTV. Interestingly, if you look at the HV-4E page on the MFJ website, the ad compares these two antennas. I won’t discuss the merits of traps vs. parallel resonators or center loading. You can decide for yourself.
At one-third the weight of the 4BTV, the Cushcraft HV-4E is a great choice for a vacation home and could be used for POTA/BOTA activations with careful handling. You can reduce the length to about seven feet by loosening the aluminum elements and sliding them out for transport without disturbing the coils. But realize that with the lighter weight, metal parts aren’t as robust as those found on other Cushcraft verticals.
I was pleased with the on-air performance of this vertical antenna. It’s small, lightweight, easy to assemble, and effective at what it was designed to do.
It should also blend well with foliage when antennas need to be heard on the air, not seen.
Now that 13 Colonies is over, many hams will shift gears to go full throttle for an operating event that, in the words of songwriter Bobby Troup, will let you “get your kicks” on a bygone and beloved highway that still inspires worshippers of the open road.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, Route 66 on the Air is a nostalgic blast from the past for operators who will once again attempt to reach special stations along the historic highway, which covered 2,448 miles from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA. Opened in 1926 and fully paved in 1938, the route was known for its offbeat roadside attractions, thrilling landscapes, and legions of drivers who traveled its skid-marked path in search of America—or perhaps the perfect cheeseburger and milkshake.
Route 66 was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985.
Troup’s popular 1946 rhythm and blues song, recorded by the likes of Nat King Cole and the Rolling Stones, mentions a travelog of stops along the route, including Oklahoma City, OK; Amarillo, TX; Flagstaff, AZ; Kingman, AZ; Barstow, CA; and San Bernardino, CA—all cities that will be represented by local clubs during the Route 66 on the Air event, which runs from September 7-15, 2024.
Find the complete list of 23 special event stations and rules at the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (San Bernardino), W6JBT, website. Per the website, the event was started by the Northern Arizona DX Association and taken over a couple of years later by the Citrus Belt club.
Sound like fun?
Get your station ready for future events like Route 66 on the Air at DXEngineering.com, where you’ll find transceivers, antennas, and everything you need to reach stations from California to Illinois and beyond.
With many solid options available, choosing your first amateur radio handheld transceiver (HT) can be a challenge. DX Engineering’s Michael Murphy, KI8R, breaks down the questions you need to consider when searching for the handheld that’s right for you, from how much you’re willing to spend to how many bands you require. He also discusses HT accessories, radio programming software, and the importance of researching what others say about HTs on the market.
Watch the video and then click on the links below to begin your search for the perfect handheld transceiver at DXEngineering.com.
As of this posting, there’s still time to make contact with the CY9C DXpedition from St. Paul Island. The team is scheduled to operate continually until the evening of Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity to put this three-mile-long, rarely visited island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada—the 50th Most Wanted DXCC Entity per Clublog—in your logbook before the operation from the Northeast Island site goes QRT.
CY9C has been on the air since August 25.
On Monday, September 2, the team’s website reported that CY9C had recorded more than 81,000 QSOs, noting that there will be more SSB activity moving forward.
DX Engineering is a major sponsor of CY9C, having provided equipment including:
Watch Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO, interview members of the CY9C team (“a bunch of MacGyvers” who have been re-engineering equipment in the ham radio spirit, according to Craig, K9CT) from the wind-swept island.
The interview was held Friday, August 30, 2024.
OnAllBands will be posting a complete wrap-up of CY9C in the days ahead.
There’s a lot to do on the air in September, 2024!
It’s a great month to sharpen your skills for some of the upcoming major events on the amateur radio calendar. We’ve listed a few highlights below, including the ARRL EME and VHF contests, a premier RTTY event, a couple of excellent park activation opportunities, and a bevy of State QSO Parties that let you operate from your home, as a fixed portable station, or as a “rover” operating from multiple counties in your vehicle.
RJ Bragg, WY7AA, took his Rovermobile (a 1972 Chevy El Camino) to the line of Platte and Goshen counties in Wyoming for the 7-Land QSO Party in May 2018. A bit of military surplus mast, dipoles for 20 and 40 meters, and an Icom 7000 were all he used to make 540 SSB contacts and hand out two juicy counties. (Image/RJ Bragg, WY7AA)
Here’s a rundown of September’s QSO Parties (note: Tennessee’s party ran prior to this posting):
Texas: September 21, 1400Z to September 22, 0200Z, and September 22, 1400Z to 2000Z
Iowa: September 21, 1400Z to September 22, 0200Z
New Jersey: September 21, 1400Z to September 22, 0159Z
New Hampshire: September 21, 1600Z to September 22, 0400Z and September 22, 1200Z to 2200Z
Washington State Salmon Run: September 21, 1600Z to September 22, 0700Z, and September 22, 1600Z to 2400Z (find more details on the Salmon Run official website)
Maine: September 28, 1200Z to September 29, 1200Z
Read more about State QSO Parties in these excellent OnAllBands articles:
You’ll find everything you need at DXEngineering.com to get maximum fun out of State QSO Parties, including transceivers, antennas, CW keys and paddles, and more.
Check Out These Other September 2024 Events:
NRAU (Nordic Radio Amateur Union) 10M Activity Contest: September 5, 1700Z to 1800Z (CW); 1800Z to 1900Z (SSB); 1900Z to 2000Z (FM); and 2000Z to 2100Z (Digital). Here’s a great chance to take advantage of 10M openings compliments of Solar Cycle 25. Looking for gear to maximize your 10M capabilities? Click to read about some of these 10M antenna upgrades available at DXEngineering.com.
Ohio State Parks on the Air: September 7, 1400 UTC to 2200 UTC (10 am to 6 pm Eastern Time). With DX Engineering proudly rooted in the Buckeye State, this annual event is near and dear to our ham radio hearts. Tom, KB8UUZ, DX Engineering technical writer, is a member of the contest committee for this 17th edition of this outdoor operating event that highlights Ohio’s beauty and diversity.
If you’ve never activated a park, here’s an OnAllBandsPOTA article on what you’ll need for successful portable operations, including these suggested items:
Yaesu FT-891 HF/50 MHz All Mode Mobile Transceiver
Also, don’t miss the flora, fauna, frequencies, and fun of Wisconsin Parks on the Air, September 21, 1600Z to 2300Z (11 am to 6 pm local/CDT), sponsored by the Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club, W9ZL.
IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB: September 7, 1300Z to September 8, 1259Z. This annual event presents an excellent opportunity for clubs to test their low-power portable operating capabilities; experiment with design, construction, and deployment of antennas; and use alternate means of power.
All Asian DX Contest, Phone: September 7, 0000Z to September 8, 2400Z. Sponsored by the Japan Amateur Radio League, this annual event is for both Asian and non-Asian stations making SSB QSOs on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.
WAE DX Contest, SSB: September 14, 0000Z to September 15, 2359Z. The German Amateur Radio Club (DARC) invites amateur operators worldwide to participate in this Worked All Europe contest. The RTTY portion of the contest is scheduled for November 9-10. Read complete rules here.
ARRL September VHF Contest: September 14, 1800Z to September 16, 0300Z. Amateurs in the U.S. and Canada will be trying to work stations in as many 2 degree x 1 degree Maidenhead grid squares as possible using authorized frequencies above 50 MHz. Stations outside the U.S. and Canada may only work stations in the U.S. and Canada. All legal modes are permitted, including CW, SSB, FT8, MSK144, FM-Only, PSK31, FSK441, and JT65.
QRP Afield: September 21, 1500Z to 2100Z: Hosted by the QRP Club of New England, this low-power event rewards operators based on power levels and location (e.g., 10 points per contact for QRP operation from a field or mobile location).
ARRL EME Contest: September 21, 0000Z to September 22, 2359Z. The object of this annual event is to work as many amateur stations as possible via the earth-moon-earth path on any authorized amateur frequency above 50 MHz. Effective in 2024, the contest exchange is now a station’s four-digit Maidenhead grid square locator. September 21-22 is designated for 2.3 GHz and up. October 19-20 and November 16-17 are for 50 to 1296 MHz.
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest: September 21, 0900Z to September 23, 0759Z. North American amateurs will attempt to contact as many stations in as many different locations as possible in North America on bands from 10 GHz (3-centimeter) through Light. Amateurs are encouraged to operate from more than one location during this event. Contesters may enter in either “10 GHz Only” or “10 GHz and Up” categories.
For those interested in 10 GHz operation, you’ll find the Icom IC-905 VHF/UHF/SHF All Mode Base/Portable Transceiver at DXEngineering.com. The rig boasts operating capability up to 10 GHz with the optional CX-10G Transverter (sold separately).
CQ World Wide DX Contest, RTTY, September 28, 0000Z to September 29, 2359Z. This annual event attracts more than 15,000 RTTY enthusiasts from around the world.
4th Annual Masonic Lodges on the Air, September 28, 1400Z to 2200Z. “The idea for the Masonic Lodges on the Air Contest grew out of the realization that many Freemasons have a love for Amateur Radio,” the event’s official website reads. The idea is to see how many Masonic Lodges you can contact in a day on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters SSB. You do not need to be a Mason to participate, but organizers ask that you get permission from your local lodge to contest from their property.
AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party: September 28, 2000Z to September 29, 2400Z. Sponsored by the Antique Wireless Association, this event is designed to “promote and encourage the use of amplitude modulation on the amateur radio bands” and to “enjoy the friendly atmosphere and pleasant audio quality of AM communication,” per the AWA website. Participants will try to make contacts using the amplitude modulation mode on 160, 75, 40, 20, and 10 meters. From its website, the vision of the AWA is to “preserve and share the history of technology used to communicate and entertain from the first telegram to today’s wireless text messaging.”
One of the great things about ham radio is the amazing variety of items that can be purchased to add more enjoyment to the world’s best hobby. Case in point: Today’s featured video on some of the latest products available at DXEngineering.com.
For more than two decades, the hams at DX Engineering have invested a great deal of time and brainpower toward enhancing the performance of Hustler BTV Series 4-, 5-, and 6-Band Vertical Antennas. This commitment has resulted in a slew of complementary DX Engineering-produced Hustler antenna products coupled with smart advice about installing ground radials for optimal results.
This combination of add-ons and operational wisdom continues to result in spectacular results for hams around the world. Here’s just one of many favorable opinions:
Five Stars (4BTV 4-Band HF Vertical Antenna): This antenna performs above and beyond what I expected! I hadn’t made any DX contacts in a very long time on the voice portion of the HF bands. After installing this per instructions and laying down 24 ground radials of various lengths due to confined space I easily made a contact into Germany through a pileup first try! Got a good 5-7 report with great audio! I also added the 17M add-on kit which performs flawlessly! Best antenna I have purchased!! Highly recommend this antenna if you are limited on space!
OnAllBands plans to cover all of the above in later posts, but first we’re checking out customer reviews of Hustler BTV Series add-on kits. In part one of this series, we explored the 17M add-on kit.
The 80M add-on is tunable for operating across a small segment of the 75/80m band with an SWR of 1.5:1 or less. Larger frequency excursions are easily made by lowering the antenna and adjusting the length of the top rod. A DX Engineering DXE-TB-3P Tilt Base Antenna Mounting System (sold separately) makes this a simple job. A good SWR meter or antenna analyzer will allow you to check the overall performance of the antenna while making final adjustments.
(Image/DX Engineering)
The DX Engineering 80M add-on kit requires no disassembly of your existing antenna. Simply add one of these kits to the top of the existing installation, make some minimal tuning adjustments, and enjoy getting on the air with an additional band. These kits come complete with Hustler RM75/80 resonator with large corona ball whip; Allen wrench for the two Allen set screws on the 80M resonator; and three-bladed spider assembly(above).
What Does the Customer Say About the 80M Add-On Kit?
Five Stars: Excellent! Simple to install and tune. Best reports ever with locals. Then worked Puerto Rico first night.
James, DX Engineering Customer
***
Five Stars: Easy to install and tune. And nice to get all the needed parts in one kit with good instructions.
Aaron, DX Engineering Customer
***
Five Stars: Easy to install, especially if you have the Omni-Tilt base on your 4BTV. Tuning was simple, took about three tries to get it centered on the frequency I wanted using the MFJ-223 analyzer. Performance with 32 radials is not bad. Expect about 45-50KHZ of usable 2:1 SWR bandwidth.
Samuel, DX Engineering Customer
***
Arrived quickly, well packed. 80M resonator and whip in one box, three-leg spider in second box shipped separately. Easy to install on my 5+ year old 4BTV. Required a bit of retuning the vertical, mostly 40M (top section was shortened a bit). SWR about 1.5:1 80-40-20M and 1.2:1 15-10M with my 36 radials. Have had a few 80M QRP QSOs so far. Signal reports about one S unit weaker than my full length 80M dipole—not bad for a shortened radiator. QRO probably better.
Paul, DX Engineering Customer
This is the BTV installation from Paul’s review above. (Image/DX Engineering)
The historic Rig in a Box N5J DXpedition from the Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge is in the books. Jarvis was the 18th Most Wanted DXCC Entity per Clublog when the activation was fully underway on August 9, 2024.
Thanks to countless hours of planning, technical advancements in the hobby, amazingly skilled offshore and worldwide remote operators, sponsors including DX Engineering, and an active community of DXers, the #18 ranking will certainly take a precipitous fall when the next most-wanted list is released.
N5J marked the first activation of Jarvis Island (a dual entity with Palmyra Island) since the April 1990 AH3C/KH5J DXpedition, which logged 55,000 QSOs over ten days. The only other time Jarvis has been QRV was AD1S/KH5 in November 1983—the first time this 1.7-square-mile coral island in the South Pacific was on the air.
Along with remote CW and FT8 stations, the N5J at-island operating team of Don Greenbaum, N1DG; Mike Snow, KN4EEI; Tomi Pekarik, HA7RY; Rig in a Box innovator George Wallner, AA7JV; and Adrian Ciuperca, KO8SCA recorded more than 100,000 QSOs on 160-6M in SSB, CW, and FT8 after 11 days of operation. Additionally, 3,000 operators qualified for an N5J special award by making FT8, CW, and SSB contacts and logging QSOs on five bands.
As noted by Ann Fried on the N5J Facebook page, “All the hard work and planning did a great service to hams worldwide.”
Pierre Leroy wrote, “Keep on doing good work. Conditions are not easy but ATNO from ON6PL.”
“Thanks to the whole team for outstanding work,” wrote Tor Langvand. “Challenging propagation from time to time. Nevertheless, >100K QSOs in the book is fantastic. Great job, all.”
Gerry Hull, W1VE, posted on the N5J Facebook page the day the DXpedition went QRT, “The Magnet team is busy taking down everything and preparing for the trip back to American Samoa. They are the real heroes who powered this operation! As the Team Lead for the CW Remote Crew, I couldn’t be happier about the outcome. As an advocate of remote DXing and contesting, I’m extremely pleased how everything worked.”
From the N5J website, the team wrote, “Thank you for all the QSOs. It was a blast.”
(Image/N5J Jarvis Island)
The Impact of RIB Operations
The Rig in a Box concept, which allows self-contained amateur radio stations to be placed on land while operators work remotely, is proving to be a game-changer for DXpeditioners as well as hams trying to check off the remaining rare entities on their DXCC scorecard.
George, AA7JV, member of the offshore crew of the N5J DXpedition, sets up a Rig in a Box station on Jarvis Island. AA7JV and the rest of the local team conducted the DXpedition from the MV Magnet, a vessel that was just offshore of Jarvis Island. (Image/N5J Jarvis Island)
RIB-centered ventures dramatically increase the chances that decision-makers governing wildlife protected areas will grant permission for these operations. RIB DXpeditions ensure that boots will only be on land to set up, tear down, and maintain the RIB stations, reducing environmental impact and eliminating a stumbling block that has kept many entities off the air for decades.
(Image/N5J Jarvis Island)
Get up close and personal with the N5J team in this video featuring DX Engineering CEO Tim Duffy, K3LR, interviewing operators aboard the MV Magnet on August 9, 2024.
“In addition to us being here there are three Fish and Wildlife scientists that are currently on the island,” explained George, AA7JV, in the video. “They’re conducting research and working on the island. This is really the result of Don (N1DG) having worked with the Fish and Wildlife Service to convince them that amateur radio can be not just a user but a partner. And as a partner we can contribute to their efforts, and in return for that, they let us operate from these very highly protected reserves where normally they do not let anybody.”
DX Engineering Equipment on Jarvis Island
In DX Engineering’s ongoing mission to stand beside hams who are putting rare DXCC entities on the air, the company contributed a range of gear to complement the RIB setups:
The teams at DX Engineering and OnAllBands salute everyone involved in making the N5J DXpedition to Jarvis Island possible. Look for posts about more DX Engineering-sponsored DXpeditions in the days ahead.
There is no shortage of thoughts on what’s the ideal rig for making more QSOs when operating away from the home station, especially with the soaring popularity of POTA, SOTA, IOTA, BOTA, and other opportunities to have fun away from the shack.
Truth is, with so many excellent transceiver options, there’s no right answer. And if someone suggests that their answer is definitive, we suggest the following all-encompassing rebuttal courtesy of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski: “Well, that’s like your opinion, man.”
If you’re new to ham radio or looking to upgrade your portable operating prowess, we’ve put together an informal, completely unscientific breakdown of what transceivers were used during Field Day 2024. The following is based on responses to a question posed on the DX Engineering Facebook page: “What radio did you use during Field Day?”
(Image/DX Engineering)
Like we’ve said many times before on OnAllBands, it never hurts to hear what others have to say about what works best for them. And keep in mind that the chosen radios were deployed to match a range of environments and goals—as well as price ranges.
Bottom line: Not everyone operates on Field Day the same way.
The rigs used on Field Day ranged from out-of-production radios to the latest SDR models from all popular manufacturers.
Based on more than 120 responses, the usual transceiver suspects led the pack of the most-used rigs for Field Day 2024: Icom IC-7300 HF Plus 50 MHz Transceiver
The above represents only a small portion of the diverse selection of radios put through their paces during Field Day 2024. Here some of the other Icom transceivers—many of which are no longer produced—that got a workout the weekend of June 22-23:
After seeing much success the first few years, Youth On The Air (YOTA) Camp in the Americas returned this past summer to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Approximately 30 campers from six different countries, ranging from 15 to 25 years old, attended.
Throughout the week, campers took part in sessions on satellite operating, high altitude ballooning, CW, soldering/kit building, POTA, and more—all led by other young people.
More importantly, the campers (including myself) had the opportunity to meet other young hams and form friendships that will last a lifetime.
(Image/Katie Campbell, KE8LQR)
Every YOTA camp is full of new adventures, and this year was no different.
We started planning for this year’s camp as soon as last year’s event in Ottawa ended, since planning an event through emails and Zoom meetings can be a little tedious. We started looking at details like what we would do during this year’s camp, where we’d host specific sessions on and off campus, and what sessions to have. Then we started creating the schedule.
By November 2023, we’d started writing press releases and posting information about camp to our social media to build excitement and spread the word about where and when it would be. We also started looking for young people to lead sessions, particularly returning campers from the previous years.
As we got closer to camp, we had Zoom meetings about once a month to discuss important issues and things that came up while we were emailing back and forth. It seemed like everything was straightened out and ready to go, but Murphy decided that would be the perfect time to remind us of his law:
Anything that can go wrong…will!
We arrived in Halifax the Friday before camp started and encountered a “small” problem. The pallets with nearly all of the supplies for camp were stuck at customs in Massachusetts, and the office would be closing in about half an hour.
We racked our brains for a solution and made a few phone calls.
Eventually, we connected with The Ham Radio Guy, Marvin, W0MET, who offered to drop everything, pick up the pallets, and even drive them to Maine to meet us at a halfway point so we could pick them up.
Very early the next morning, Julie Rapp and Colleen, KB8VAQ, started the 15-hour drive to Maine from Halifax while the rest of us stayed back and started setting up what we could. Finally, while we were at dinner, we got the message that Colleen and Julie had gotten through customs, crossed the border with the pallets, and would get back at about 2 am Sunday.
We all got up bright and early on Sunday and worked together as fast as we could to unload everything and set it up. We managed to get almost everything straightened out, although there would be a running joke throughout the week whenever we couldn’t find something:
“Where is X?”
“Oh, probably on the pallets!”
Julie Rapp; Colleen, KB8VAQ; and Marvin, W0MET ceremoniously cutting the box of YOTA equipment after finally arriving in Canada! (Image/Katie Campbell, KE8LQR)
With setup complete and all t’s crossed and i’s dotted, camp was a go!
Campers started arriving at noon to get settled into their dorms at Mount Saint Vincent University and meet their roommates until the opening ceremony at five (watch a video of the opening ceremony here).
After the opening ceremony we had a quick tour of the shack and antennas before we could start operating. The next morning, we started the first day of camp with logging and SDR sessions. Then, the ID-52 handheld transceivers that Icom donated for us to use all week were passed out and our Icom rep, Rose, VA3RZZ, led a session about D-STAR.
After lunch, we headed outside for our pico balloon launch, led by Wintta, VA3WGY, and Stefan, VA3STQ.
(Image/Katie Campbell, KE8LQR)
Unfortunately, both balloons hit a storm a few hours later and went down just north of Sable Island.
After launching our balloons, we had sessions about nets and CW, followed by a session where campers and staff could share resources and groups for young hams. We all had dinner and then the final session of the day was “Train the Trainer,” where some of the camp staff explained how to run a YOTA camp, from planning and preparation to actually hosting the event.
Tuesday morning, campers split up into either a kit-building or ARDF session. After that, we had our ARISS contact, led by Ruth, KM4LAO. Tuesday evening, we had dinner in downtown Halifax before going on a tour of the city and the harbor. After the tour, it was back to the university for some operating time or socializing before lights out.
On Wednesday, we got to do some satellite operating before a presentation from Dr. Yaroslav “Yarko” Pustovyi about Maritime Launch Services. After his presentation, it was time to get ready to activate Georges Island the next day. Once we finished up our POTA prep, we had some more time to operate VE1YOTA or socialize.
On Thursday, it was time for POTA! We split up into groups and rotated which location we were operating from or touring. My group started out at the HMCS Sackville, where we got to tour the ship and learn more about its history before getting on the air with the station on board.
After we made some contacts there, it was time to head to Georges Island for POTA. We took a ferry over and got on the air straight away. After some antenna troubleshooting, we finally started making contacts and got a few really large pileups!
After that, my group took the ferry back and got to tour the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and even operate from the station there. Then, it was time to go back to the university for dinner and shack/social time.
On Friday morning we had our closing ceremony (watch here), returned our radios, said our goodbyes, and started making plans to see each other at camp next year!
We’ve already started planning for camp in Denver, Colorado, and hope to see you there!
High school student Katie Campbell, KE8LQR, earned her Amateur Extra license at the age of 11. Among other activities, she teaches youth Morse code through the Long Island CW Club; helps out with her school’s amateur radio club, K8LPS; is a member of YACHT (Young Amateurs Communications Ham Team; was a featured presenter at Contest University 2024; and is on the planning committee and PR team for the YOTA group.
OnAllBands has been taking a close look at products that can help you get more out of your Hustler 4BTV, 5BTV, and 6BTV vertical antennas. We’ve got quite a bit of ground to cover, so we’re starting with the DX Engineering add-on kits that let you easily and effectively expand coverage. Check out this article on the Hustler BTV Series 17M Add-On Kit. Later this month we’ll be exploring what operators say about the 80M add-on kit.
Today, we turn our attention to the latest addition to DX Engineering’s lineup of devices that have turned the Hustler BTV verticals into an affordable and proven DXing juggernaut for hams around the globe, especially those dealing with limited space and HOA restrictions.
Users on eHam.net have called the DXE-AOKC-12M a “great product for the money,” “first-rate made,” “a superior product that performs, “very easy to assemble,” and “a straightforward way to add 12M to the Hustler without it looking like a Rube Goldberg contraption.” Check out all the reviews at eHam.net.
(Image/DX Engineering)
The RF power handling of the DXE-AOKC-12M 12 Meter Add-On Kit is conservatively rated for 1,500 watts PEP SSB, 1,000 watts CW, and 375 watts RTTY and Digital modes (including FT8) at an antenna SWR of 2:1 and below. This rating is for 12 meters only; it does not apply to BTV antenna trap or resonator frequencies where the use of less power is advised.
A Note About Installing Both the 17M & 12M Add-On Kits
The 17M and 12M kits work together because they do not interact with each other. Further, installing them on your BTV antenna will not drastically affect other bands. The 17M and 12M kits match each other, except for the coil on the 17M, and they add negligible wind loading to the antenna. The kits can mount on opposite sides of the Hustler BTV vertical and may be installed at the same time or at different times.
TIP: The use of the OMNI-TILT base is recommended for BTV ground mounting when both 17M and 12M kits are installed.
The 12M add-on kit includes:
Pre-assembled 12M element wire with soldered ring terminals
Four stainless steel band clamps with threaded studs
Upper insulated bracket
Two 14-inch tuning rods
Bottom aluminum stand-off bracket
Spring-loaded end insulator for the 12M element wire, which lets the antenna move naturally
Scotch-Brite® pad for cleaning the 12M element connections to the BTV antenna
Stainless steel hardware
Tuning the 12M Add-On
Installation of the DXE-AOKC-12M can have the effect of narrowing the SWR bandwidth of 20, 15, and 10M—a reasonable tradeoff for adding the extra band. After the 12M kit is installed and tuned, any required shift to the usable SWR frequency ranges on those bands can be accomplished by trap sleeve repositioning on the respective band trap. SWR may be optimized for CW and Digital or SSB segments by careful trap sleeve tuning adjustments.
For more about tuning, assembly instructions, and further details, read the DXE-AOKC-12M manual. Visit DXEngineering.com to order this impressive Hustler upgrade.
It has become apparent over the years that many folks who love everything about ham radio also love their cars, trucks, motorcycles, and ATVs. This is supported by the fact that there are plenty of DX Engineering customers who also do their shopping for suspension systems, exhaust tips, piston sets, and fuel injectors at Summit Racing Equipment. In fact, we’ve lost count of the number of letters we’ve received from those who relish both turning corners and turning knobs.
For those who don’t already know, Summit Racing has been the parent company of DX Engineering ever since the aftermarket automotive parts giant acquired the ham radio manufacturer in 2000. (Look for much more about DX Engineering’s 25th Anniversary celebration in the months ahead.)
DX Engineering shares headquarters with Summit Racing in Tallmadge, Ohio, near Akron. The updated DX Engineering Amateur Radio Showroom is housed inside the Summit Racing Retail Superstore at the same location. Ham radio gear can also be purchased at the Summit Racing retail store in Sparks, Nevada.
The Summit Racing Retail Superstore in Tallmadge, Ohio. (Image/DX Engineering)The DX Engineering Showroom is housed in the Summit Racing Retail Superstore, allowing shoppers to take care of their automotive and amateur operating needs in one place. (Image/DX Engineering)DX Engineering has held a hamfest and several sales events in the Summit Racing Retail Superstore. (Image/DX Engineering)
Need a transceiver and a transmission? A set of radials for your Hustler BTV vertical antenna and some radials for your 1972 Chevelle? A thrust bearing and a main rod bearing? A brake rotor and a heavy-duty rotator? You’ll uniquely find them all under the same roof.
How cool and convenient is that?
For those who can’t make it to the stores in Ohio and Nevada, both Summit Racing (SummitRacing.com) and DX Engineering (DXEngineering.com) make ordering incredibly fast and easy online. Both companies are widely recognized for providing fast shipping (more about speed below) and the most knowledgeable and responsive customer/technical support in their respective industries.
(Image/N5J Jarvis Island)
Check out the DX Engineering and Summit Racing decals on Jarvis Island in August 2024! In the photo, George Wallner, AA7JV, member of the offshore crew of the N5J Jarvis Island DXpedition, sets up a self-contained Rig in a Box station on one of the rarest DXCC entities on the planet. The DXpedition was sponsored by DX Engineering. Also notice the VP Racing jug, available at Summit Racing, along for the trip.
Hams & Gearheads
At first inspection, automotive enthusiasts and ham radio aficionados may seem to have little in common. But look closer. The hobbies and the people who are passionate about them share a lot more than you might think.
A Need for Speed
Summit Racing is appropriately known as “The World’s Speed Shop®,” the place where you can find millions of go-fast parts to soup up your ride for the street, dirt track, road course, or drag strip.
While transceivers don’t come equipped with a finish-line parachute, speed is still very much a part of the hobby for scores of amateur operators. Many hams were first intrigued by the idea that their transmissions could reach across the globe thanks to radio waves traveling at the speed of light—186,000 miles per second (a tad quicker than your average quarter-mile pass). Elite CW practitioners hone their skills to reach mind-boggling speeds up to 60 WPM. Like a road race, marathon radiosport contests, such as the 24-hour World Radiosport Team Championship, become a test of both operating speed and endurance. Other ham radio activities, such as direction-finding competitions, depend on quick wits and speed when searching for hidden transmitters.
Finally, we know gearheads and hams alike don’t like to wait around their garages and shacks for parts to arrive—so you can expect speedy delivery of what you need—when you need it.
A Need to Build…and Rebuild
Whether completely restoring a classic, modifying a late-model muscle car, or creating a one-of-a-kind rat rod, there is nothing that makes a gearhead happier than wrenching on their latest project—permanently oil-stained fingernails be darned! Hams are no different. While getting on the air may be the ultimate reward, the satisfaction of installing an antenna, adding a new rotator, or building a homebrew amplifier ranks high for the hands-on ham.
Ask a gearhead or a ham how they spent their early years and you’ll hear stories of disassembled vacuum cleaners and radios, spare parts strewn across living rooms, and angry parents (though secretly proud) admonishing them for not asking first. The obsession to find out what makes things tick runs deep in both hobbies.
Ask a certain type of gearhead “How many vehicles are enough?” or a similarly inclined ham “How many radios are enough?” and you’re likely to get a shrug. Why? Because there simply isn’t a way to quantify an answer for those whose thirst for rides and rigs have no boundaries.
As of January of 2024, it was reported that Jay Leno’s vehicle collection consisted of over 180 cars and 160 motorcycles. Jerry Seinfeld’s cache of cars exceeds 150, including more than 40 Porsches. For those less monetarily endowed, it’s still difficult to turn down a project vehicle regardless of condition or space limitations. Same goes for hams who can’t pass by a hamfest flea market without adding another vintage rig to their collections or peruse DXEngineering.com without adding the latest SDR model and companion gear to their shopping cart.
Attend a car show or a day at the track and you’ll discover that competitiveness and camaraderie go hand in hand. Trophies and trips to the winner’s circle are nice, but longtime gearheads will tell you it’s the friendships with other enthusiasts that count most at the end of the day. Need proof? Listen to a couple of strangers become fast friends as they ease into a “bench racing” give-and-take or share stories of the “cars that got away.” Hams have the added benefit of being able to make friends from all parts of the world simply by getting on the air and calling CQ. Goodwill is at the core of what it means to be an amateur operator, whether hanging out with your club on Field Day or rag-chewing with an operator thousands of miles away.
Some Quick Comparisons
Going mobile: The most obvious merging of the two pursuits is equipping your vehicle with a mobile transceiver for fun on the road as well as serious emergency communication.
Endless variety: Both hobbies offer so many avenues of interest that it’s impossible to do it all at once. As the bloggers at OnAllBands have recommended time and again, if you’re starting out in ham radio, it’s best to initially pick one aspect of the hobby rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Passing it on: Like fathers, mothers, grandparents, and uncles who share their passion for car culture with their sons, daughters, grandkids, and nephews, ham families can’t help but pass on their love of all things radio to the next generation of operators.
Grace, K8LG, with father Doug, K8DP, at K3LR operating during the 2023 RSGB IOTA Contest. (Image/DX Engineering)
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We’d love to hear from all the ham/gearheads out there! Tell us about what you think is the crossover appeal of getting on the air and putting power to the pavement.
Also Check Out a Handy Beacon for Home and Road Emergencies
Back in 2022, DX Engineering was excited to add a varied selection of highly respected Eton devices to its lineup of more than 175 manufacturers whose products are available at DXEngineering.com.
As fans of DX Engineering already know, the company carries many items that have applications that stretch outside of amateur radio, including coaxial cable prep tools, soldering equipment, coaxial cable assemblies, equipment cases, and even the DX Engineering ISO-PLUS Ethernet Filter, which has found a legion of enthusiasts in the audiophile community.
While Eton’s high-quality Elite Series shortwave radioscertainly fall under the amateur radio umbrella, the Palo Alto, California-based company also makes gear with a broader appeal to families who want to be ready for unexpected emergencies, or hams who want to be fully equipped at home or during their portable ops. Choose from:
The 7.125-inch-tall unit features durable aluminum construction, foldable reflective tripod legs, a bright one-watt LED spotlight, and three LED flashing beacons that can be easily activated during emergencies by turning its hand crank. Two minutes of cranking typically produces 15 minutes of usable power. With both input and output USB charging, you can even charge your smartphone to make an emergency call or text your family to let them know you are safe. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, carrying pouch, and car power adapter.
The latest addition to the Eton lineup, the Odyssey Multiband Bluetooth Emergency Radio makes a useful companion for outdoor adventures and emergency preparedness needs. It provides AM/FM/Shortwave/Weather band coverage, allowing you to stay connected to broadcasts from around the world and ensuring that you’re never out of touch with the latest news and weather updates. You receive NOAA Weather Alerts to keep you abreast of severe weather conditions in your area.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Multiple power options are available, including its 2000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and high-efficiency solar panel charging that keeps the radio ready when you need it most. You can also use 3 AAA alkaline batteries as a backup power source (not included).
The Eton Odyssey offers versatility with a 5V 1.0A USB output for charging smartphones and other devices. Hand-crank charging yields 10 to 15 minutes of music, weather updates and news, along with one minute of talk time.
The radio features a digital tuner and display for precise station selection and tuning. It also includes Bluetooth connectivity, making it an all-in-one entertainment and communication device. The IPX4 weather-resistant design ensures durability in various conditions, while the bright LED flashlight, LED beacon, and siren provide essential visibility and signaling in emergencies.
Additional features include a DC power input via the included USB-C cable, an AUX-IN jack, headphone jack, alarm clock, and digital clock. The included carabiner allows you to conveniently clip it to your belt or go-bag. For added security, its SOS emergency beacon and siren are invaluable tools for getting help when needed.
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