For most of my early years of my Amateur Radio existence, operators' stations locations were known for their simple, modest and sometimes enormous antenna towers. This was and is basically a good indication that a "Ham Radio" operator resides somewhere near those structures. And if you had the opportunity to visit the radio rooms (Ham Shack) of those operators, some of them may have been in a corner of a room, in a closet, a spandrel, a garage, a shed or look similar to the photo above
In today's world, that is far from the case. Due to HOAs (Home Owner's Associations) and other covenant restrictions, ham operators in their infinite ingenuity, come up of many types of inconspicuous means of assembling antennas to enjoy their hobby.
The minimization of electronics have given Ham Radio operators the ability to communicate "To infinity and Beyond". During my past three years of operating portable, primarily POTA, I've had countless people inquire what I was doing. Most of the POTA sites near my QTH are parks where trying to find a spot which is safe AND a considerable distance away from people is limited.
For me its no big deal. Most of the time people will look, point, observe and casually walk, bicycle ride or run by without saying a word. But then, there are the ones who's curiosity takes the best of them. Doesn't matter the age, nationality, or sex, the sight of someone sitting under a pole with wires going this way and that way, hearing beeps and tones, have to find out what is going on.
Summits on the Air (SOTA), Parks on the Air (POTA) and World Wide Fauna (WWFF) have given ham radio operators a way to bring our equipment out of the dark rooms to the open air. It is exciting times we live in in this world of Amateur Radio. We should take advantage of the minimization of the equipment we have at our disposable and show the world just how GREAT ham radio is not only as a hobby but exposing young and old minds to potentially unimaginable innovations.
As the daylight starts to shorten, the temperatures become more tolerable, it can present the favorable conditions to take our equipment portable to remind the world that, HAM RADIO is still something people do. It doesn't have to be POTA or SOTA but its a good time to experience all Mother Nature has to offer as the season changes.
Here are some who just enjoy operating outdoors.
Portable Amateur Radio
M0KVI Owen
W0ABE "Fin"
KH6WI Eric
VE5REV Jason
KH6RF John
VA7USD Matthew
KO4TJP Jake
W3IPA Tim
Amateurs operating through Satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) can be very simple but for some, but some have a wide array of portable equipment they use for different modes to communicate via satellites and ISS.
Portable Satellite Operation
K9BCM Thomas
VA3VGR Richard
EA2CW / AE2CW - Mikel
K8ZRY Zach
WD9EWK Patrick
KE5NJ Chris
KG4AKV John
SP3RNZ Greg
NC0Q Tim
KB5FHK Thomas
Parks on the Air has taken portable ham radio operating to a different level. Here is just a few of the thousands who choose to spend a lot of their operating time outdoors.
Parks on the Air
AE4JC Matthew
K1STG Fred
KC9BKA Dan
KM6HJC Ben
KN4YZY Corey
N9OHW Michael
KA3DRR Scot
AI5DD Joe
K4WSD / Allen
KB6NU Dan
And then there are the ones who operate Summits on the Air (SOTA). Some might think this is an Extreme Sport but to them, its just another day at the office.
Summits on the Air
KO6BTM Di
EC7ZT Manu
JL1SDA Tetsuya
MM0EFI Fraser
WA7JNJ James
JR8MHA Katsu
N2SRK Dan NA0MT Scott
N6ARA Ara
K4KFO Yusef
You don't have to travel far from the Backroom to the Open Air. A few weeks ago I began a Sunday morning routine of "A Cup of Joe Patio Amateur Radio". It's my quiet time to relax, commune with nature and do some sort of ham radio operating. For me its natural boost to reset for another week.
We've come a long way baby from the days of operating portable in the photo below. Why not grab your gear now at head out for some Ham Radio Portable operating.
"You have to grow with the times or the times will outgrow you."
That is how my Music Director would sign off from his afternoon radio show back in the early 70's when I was Program Director at an AM radio station.
I never would have imagined in 1956 when I was introduced to Amateur Radio that one day as I left a doctor's appointment in 2024, I could carry a Ham Radio station in a small backpack and ride my bicycle less than a mile to a Parks on the Air site and communicate to other operators around the world. The only way I would have believed that back in 1956; is if I were sitting with Marty McFly in a Delorean and a plutonium-powered nuclear fission reactor with a Flex Capacitor traveling ay 88 MPH and set the date for March 14, 2024.
March 14, 2024
You might wonder as why I mentioned my introduction to Ham Radio in 1956 and FT8 today. Well, in the early 1950's I remember Ice Boxes, not refrigerators. Ice Boxes. Several times a week The Ice Man riding in his mule drawn cart would stop by my neighbor and drop off a large cube of ice for their Ice Box to keep their perishables fresh. It wasn't too long in the mid 1950's my neighbor purchased a refrigerator made at GE's Louisville's Appliance Park.
In the 1950's this "OLD FART" remembers when telephones looked like this.
I even remember my phone number fro m the 50's, SPring7-8292. There was no such time as an AREA CODE. You had to dial "0" in order to make a Long Distance Call. There was such a time as a "Collect Call" and Person-to-Person Call". Also you could have a lowered monthly phone bill if you SHARED a phone line with another customer. These were know as PARTY LINES. Sometimes you might pick up the phone to place a cold and the other customer would be using it and you could listen to their conversation (NO PRIVACY). You had to wait until they finished to make you call. It wasn't until the early 60's, my parents changed over the more modern rotary phone, the mid 60's for the Princess and Trimline phones, mid 70's for the Push Button style phone and in the 1980's I found out my parents were sill leasing phones from AT&T. They were not pleased, I re-wired the three story home and installed cordless phone system throughout their house and cancelled their phone lease agreement with AT&T.
And finally I remember in early July of 1962 while spending my usual summer at my grandparents; my cousin and I sat in front of a Black and White TV and watched the launch of Telstar 1 Communications Satellite and a couple of weeks later watch the first international satellite TV "LIVE" broadcast between the U.S. and Europe with Walter Cronkite, Chet Huntley and Howard Smith U.S. newscasters.
I do understand how some have a LOVE / HATE relationship with NEW technology and how it might infringe on them personally and individually. I guess you could blame a lot of this NEW technology on the Industrial Revolution. Maybe that's something to look at in a future blog. However when it comes to Amateur Radio I think I read somewhere about CONTINUATION and EXTENSION of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the ADVENCEMENT of the radio art. Oh Yes, that's from FCC Rules and Regulations:
PART 97—AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
Subpart A—General Provisions
§97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
My fellow FT8, CW, SSB, POTA colleague Robbie W1RCP goes a little more in depth in his YouTube Video: "Why the HATE for FT8?"
I remember the years I would lug my Ten Tec Omni along with a manual tuner along with a heavy marine battery and throw a wire into a tree for some portable operating in a park. Today in 2024, I'm unwilling to go back in time on Marty McFLy's Delorean and operate in that manner
NOW, I can pack my entire digital station (QRP Labs QDX, Tufteln Linked EFHW antenna, battery, SotaBeams 10m Travel Mast, Bluetooth Keyboard, GPS Dongle USB cable and Panasonic FZ-G1 Toughpad into a standard school backpack and off I go to a POTA site which is less than a mile from my doctor's office.
For me the successful launch and operation of Telestar 1 in 1962 was an event more far reaching than Sputnik. As a pre-teen, I felt I understood the role satellites would have on communications in the future. I now can say my understanding was minuscule. I could never imagine in 1956 or 1962 the HUGE role technology plays in our everyday lives.
I can see how some may depict FT8 as pictured in the image below.
If you're one of those who operated WSJT-x in auto-sequence, then I will agree it is like "Watching Paint Dry". There are times when I feel like Luke Skywalker telling R2D2 I'm taking over control of my X-wing Starfighter. I'll move out of Auto-sequence often to complete a QSO especially since I operate a lot of QRP. I try to use the same sense of operating like I SSB and CW. I'll move slightly off frequency to bee better heard, I'll move away for a few minutes to let the pileup subside, definitely find a clear frequency to transmit and move if necessary, send an occasional personal 73, tune up on an open frequency and send QRT when finished.
Living in an apartment has its limitations as far as what type of antenna I can use along with high local noise levels.. Because of that, (and before I discovered POTA) FT8 was my primary mode of operation. In 2019 when band conditions were not all that GREAT as compared to now, I was able to enjoy our hobby immensely. Was it a mode I had been accustomed to? No! But it did allow me to operate.
For me, FT8 open the door to another avenue of Amateur Radio. As a result I've delved a little deeper in Weak Signal Propagation. I'm amazed how far a WSPR signal can reach with only 200 mW.
So HATE FT8 if you like. Like Telstar of 1962 , You never know what path FT8 (WSPR) may launch humans to in the next century. Here's an example of what might be in store for WSPR. Read on .....
In May 2021, aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey suggested examining historical WSPR data as a way to define the flight path of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 on 8 March 2014.[7] In November 2021, Godfrey stated his belief that his analysis indicates the aircraft flew in circles for around 22 minutes in an area 150 nautical miles (280 km; 170 mi) from the coast of Sumatra before vanishing, later proposing a search area centered around 33.177°S 95.3°E.[8][9][10][11]
As of March 2024, the validity of Godfrey's claim is yet to be established.[12] On 6 March 2024 the BBC documentary Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt for MH370 examined Godfrey's claim and reported that scientists at the University of Liverpool were undertaking an analytical study of the possibility of using WSPR technology to locate the missing aircraft. The University stated they would release their results within 6 months
My Parks on the Air Activities - NOT about "The Numbers"
Parks on the Air has never been about numbers for me. I became aware of Parks on the Air (POTA) in June 2021. This was during the height of the COVID pandemic. At that time I was recovering from surgery and treatment for liver failure and treatment for Bladder cancer. My body's ability to fight any type of infection was basically non-existent, so social distancing was a MUST for me. I was not going to totally isolate myself from the world by staying indoors, knowing how vital exercise, fresh air and mental stimulus was vital to my recovery. Parks on the Air has been the BEST medicine for me over the last 3 years. I've been able to combine bicycling with my Ham Radio activities as part of my health treatment plan. What a great combination.
Lewis & Clark National Historical Trail Along the banks of the Ohio River at Waterfront Park Louisville, KY. USA
POTA is not about the numbers for me. Oh, I've had a few failed POTA activations over the years; but it is no big deal. WHY? Because I've been able to meet so many people; in part due to my ham radio POTA activities. I've met current and former teachers, current and retired nurses, doctors and other medical professionals, current and former military personnel, a retired Federal Judge, Boy and Girl Scout leaders along with kids from Scout Troops, inquisitive children, Nature and Wildlife conservationists and park staff, countless animals, dogs, cats, minks, river otters, deer, snakes, frogs, coyotes, giraffes, hawks, ducks, turtles, wild turkeys, aircraft pilots, other hams who've been inactive, numerous sunrises and sunsets, operating at night, and more than anything; thousands of other hams who've I been able to contact and some who've visited; like Ed / W4EMB, Marcos / K8ARE and Doug / N6UA.
Recently, I had one of several QSOs with a man I like to call "The POTA LEGEND", Bob Voss / N4CD.
During Hamvention 2022, Charlie "Red" / NJ7V got a chance to talk with Bob who at that time was one of the activation leaders for Parks on the Air (2022) Below is a link to that interview;
When I have contacts like those with Bob and other operators who I regularly communicate with and those operators who are NEW to CW pedaling along at 10 WPM, I get excited as that little kid who was introduced to the hobby in the mid 50's.
One of my other cherished Parks on the Air activations came about amazingly unexpected when I was calling CQ and got HUGE greeting from an associate of a park visitor.
I've come to understand that with my Parks on the Air activities in an urban setting, I never know what to expect.
Here's a short slideshow of some of the things I've experienced during my Parks on the Air activities. After watching; you may have a better understanding why for me, "Its NOT about the NUMBERS"
What a day! A once in a lifetime experience. Although the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve POTA site in Louisville, KY. USA is about 40 miles south of a totally region, I was able to experience 99.3 % of totality. Health concerns prevented me from traveling those 40 miles to an area of complete totality but what I did experience was equally awe striking.
For months I had planned to operate at a Parks on the Air site during the eclipse. My plan was to operate QRP with my Yaesu FT-817 C, SSB and FT8 using my Signalink and Panasonic FZ-G1 Toughpad and my Buddipole Deluxe Antenna System. I wanted to see if the eclipse would have any effect operating QRP. The FT-817 gave me several band options and the Buddipole Antenna in dipole configuration would be easily tunable on all bands 40 - 10 meters. I've compiled enough data and spent enough time with my Buddipole Antenna System all I need is a tape measure to tune it on all bands. With a tape measure I can usually get it resonant to 1:15:1 by adjusting the whips as I have pre-set the coils taps for 40 - 10 meters.
However, when I woke up on Eclipse day, Monday April 8, 2024, I had an epiphany. Why limit myself to the FT817. Why not operate three stations simultaneously. I had the rigs, had the power (batteries) and the antennas. What a neat plan!
So here's was the setup:
Yaesu FT-817 QRP for SSB, CW optional 2 meters
12V 3Ah Bioenno Battery
Buddipole Deluxe Antenna in Dipole Configuration
QRP Labs 20 meter QRP QCX mini for WSPR
9v 200mAh Battery
Tufteln 20 Meter vertical
QRP Labs 80 - 20 Meter QDX Digital for FT8
12V 3Ah TalentCell Battery
QRP 40 - 10 Meter EFHW
Panasonic FZ-G1 Toughpad with GPS Dongle
I loaded up my Touring bike and headed to my usual POTA site Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve US-7956 Louisville, KY, USA to setup and start my Solar Eclipse 2024 experience.
SURLY Long Haul Trucker Bicycle
I quickly setup my Buddipole in a diople configuration with the other antennas attached to the top of my Buddipolle mast in an area where I wouldn't be an obstacle to others who would take advantage of the beautiful weather to observe the 99.3% of the eclipse totality over the Louisville, KY. USA area. The setup was very quick as you can view below.
After the raising the Buddipole in a diploe configuration with the Tufteln vertical and QRP EFHW attached o the top of te mast, I checked the SWR with my Nano VNA and found it to be 1.15:1 for the entire CW portion of 20 meters.
Because everything was within arms reach, even though they were on the ground, for a short time I was able to operate all stations simultaneously. The QCX Mini was automatically running in WSPR mode, the QDX was running by itself. All I needed to do was make a quick click to log a QSO and with the attachedpilot kneeboard and using my CW Morse SP4 paddle, Morse Code operation was Eezy Peezy.
I had all of my antennas set up in an orientation along the U.S. path of the eclipse., I wanted to see if the eclipse was going to have any effects with transmitting and / or receiving.
My 20 meter QCX Mini WSPR using 9V 200 mW received well all along the U.S. path of the eclipse with receptions reports in the U.S., eastern Canada, Central America and Europe.
The BIG surprise for me came with the operation of the QDX on 20 meters with 5 watts. I was amazed at the WSJT-X waterfall. It was lite up like a Christmas tree. I knew my little QRP signal did not stand a chance as it was difficult to find an area to squeeze into to transmit. There were countless stations calling "CQ POTA" and "CQ SEQP" (CQ Solar Eclipse QSO Party) However, I was able to sneak in a couple of FT8 QSOs (N0RC/KS) & W9NG/MS) Plus, I had one incomplete QSO with VU3EFG/India. It was nice to see all of the FT8 activity.
There was lots of activity for SSB on 20, 17 and 15 meters. Lots of QRO stations. Called "CQ" for several minutes but again my QRP signal could not break through crowded band conditions. Additionally, I work SSB so little, some may have thought someone else was using my callsign. "hi hi"
Most of my operating was CW. Most of my time was spent on 20 meters with a few 15 meter contacts and several "CQ" calls on 17, 12, 10 meters. There was plenty of hunters taking advantage of modest 20 meter band conditions. I was appreciative of the amount of new to me HUNTERS like a DX from F4ILH- Jean Baptiste and equally thankful for some of my familiar Hunters. W2AEQ - Alan / K9IS - Steve / VE1CNS-Bryne / AA0IW - David and1st time hunter for me AE6Z - C.W.
The highlight of this day's Parks on the Air activation was a CW QSO with N5KT - Gerald as the eclipse passed over him in Texas and 8 minutes later with W0YEM - Nick, as the eclipse passed over me in Kentucky. USA. EPIC!
There was enough activity to keep me busy for many hours but I spent a lot of time communing with others around me and partaking of this epoch celestial moment in time.
April 8, 2024 will be one of those Parks on the Air activations I'll never forget
For the past few weeks I've been using my Buddipole Deluxe Antenna system in several different configurations for my Parks on the Air activations. Nothing special but the antenna has been sitting in the corner for too many months collecting dust. I've had a lot of success using using my Buddipole antenna during recent QRP use. It brought to mind something I was told and has been ingrained in my ham radio DNA for over 60 years. For ham radio operating your money is better spent on an effective antenna system than your radio. Whether you make it, bake it, print it, or buy it; spend the money first on that antenna system.
My ham radio antenna redux journey started something like this. In March 1983 when I took my Novice test to get re-licensed, I had moved back in with my aging parents to care for them. I had already purchased my rig (Ten-Tec Century 21) and antenna (Butternut HF6V). As I look back, purchasing that antenna at THAT time was not one of my best ham radio operating decisions. I wish I had done what I did when I was first licensed in 1963 and built my own antenna. (The mind of a child can be so innocent and yet plausible.) There was nothing wrong with that Butternut antenna. It is a great antenna.
However, their house was two stories with an attic (Total height was almost 40' high)with a metal roof and a small backyard 30 x 12, surrounded by similar dwellings and power/telephone lines surrounding the property. Considering safety and operating efficiency, It took me almost 2 years to mount the Butternut to optimum (though compromised) operating position. The Butternut antenna was mounted with metal pipes attached to side of house that place the base of antenna 10 feet above roof with several wires running from base to metal roof to act as a counterpoise. I worked the world on CW with that Century 21 & Butternut HF6V setup.
The point for me, was my excitement to get on the air as quickly as possible. I wished I would have invested more time in preparing and evaluating my antenna setup before purchasing the Butternut.
As we approach warmer temperatures with better weather here in the U.S., what better time to invest in some antenna system evaluating, antenna repairing and building. There's no time like the present to do some antenna work and take advantage of the benefits of this enhancedsolar cycle as it will come and go before you know it. You'll want to be assured your antenna will give you its best not only during these intensified solar conditions but during solar minimum as well.
If any of you follow me on Social Media, you may have noticed I do most of my Parks on the Air activations via bicycle. You also may have seen I have a lot of cycling jerseys. I like to say, I have as many ham radio antennas as I do cycling jerseys.
I have made quite a lot of antennas over the years. Some good and some I try to forget. Some Mono, some dual band, J-Pole, Moxon-Turnstile, Yagi, Egg Beaters, Flower Pot antenna, linked dipole for QRP and QRO, some EFHW for QRO and QRP, some vertical, some random wire for QRP and QRO, Delta Loop and antennas for satellite use.
QRP/QRO 40 meter Mono Band
QRP Tufteln Linked EFHW
QRP 40 - 15 Lijnked Dipole
QRO 60/ 40/ 30 / 20 Linked Dipole
QRP 40 - 10 meter Random Wire
Moxon Turnstile for Sat work
40 - 10 Meter QRP EFHW
Their use depends on some variables in portable use. Terrain, footprint, type and length of mast, availability of trees for deployment (if they can be used) which radio, which bands, mode of operation, band conditions, solar and terrestrial weather, and how I feel, etc.
Some of my most memorable contacts have been made using antenna I've built. For me, there's nothing more satisfying and rewarding than getting that cross continent or QRPp QSO with an antenna built with my own hands.
Besides, wire, coaxial cable, connectors, heat shrink, insulators , etc the most important tool for my antenna building projects is either an Antenna Analyzer or Nano NVA. Hands down it makes antenna building so much easier.
I remember reading something about antennas from renowned ham radio enthusiast Doug DeMaw W1FB (SK) that went something like this .... the most important part of an effective ham station is the antenna system. Expensive transceivers and mediocre antennas do not complement one another if you want to communicate over long distance paths.
I purchased
my Buddipole Deluxe Antenna almost 16 years
ago.This blog is not to endorse or
oppose any aspects of the Buddipole antenna system but simply my experience in
using it.
Over
my many years in ham radio, I’ve owned only three commercial built antennas. At the time I purchased my Buddipole antenna I
owned a SUV and was impressed with its small footprint.I didn’t use my Buddipole that much before
going car-free after three years of it’s purchased. Most of my Buddipole use after going car-free
has been for Field Day.
Field Day 2021
Field Day 2010
When
I discovered Parks on the Air in 2020,it was time to bring my Buddipole into use other than Field Day. For
many of the years of owning my Buddipole, I was never able to get any decent
SWR readings on all bands. Nothing lower than 2.5:1 on any bands 40 – 10 meters in the Dipole configuration.
When I retired in 2016, it gave me more time to enjoy ham radio. During the pandemic shutdown, I took the opportunity to figure out what I was doing wrong or why I couldn't get a decent SWR reading in the Dipole configuration.
I re-read the operating manual,
enlisted help through inquires on social media, joined the Buddipole users
group, purchased a Nano VNA. Still nothing under 2.5:1I was at my wits end. I had invested several
hundred dollars into my entire Buddipole Deluxe Antenna System with all of its
ancillaries and was ready to sell it.
Before getting materials to package my Buddipole to sell, I
re-read (KI6AWK) David Haycock’s “Brief Guide to the Buddipole Antenna System. I
decided to try setting up in a vertical configuration for 40 meters and
trimming some speaker wire for radials and using the Triple Ratio Switch
Balun.I was thrilled to be able to achieve a SWR down to 1.5:1 on 40 meters using the
TRSB with 3 radials, 9.5 foot whip, two standard 22” Antenna arms and the 18’
mast.
Triple Ratio Switch Balun
40 Meter Vertical with Radials
Then I decided to try setting up the antenna in a 20 meter dipole configuration without the TRSB using standard whips and antenna arms. I still could not achieve a SWR lower than 2.5. So
I decided to check the coax I was using which came with my system. I checked
with my Nano VNA and no problems. As I was disconnecting the coax from Nano VNA,
I looked down the barrel of the BNC connector and noticed the center pin of the
coax had disappeared. Further examination showed the center conductor of the
coax had pulled away from the coax braid.No wonder I was getting inconsistent SWR reading with this coax.
After
placing a new BNC connector to the coax, re-setting up Buddipole in a 20 meter
dipole configuration, I got a 1.15:2 SWR reading without connecting it to my Nano
VNA. Deciding not to press my luck, I disassembled my Buddipole for another
day.
Now
that I was able to assemble and get my Buddippole to operate in the manner for
which it was manufactured, I pulled the “For Sale” sign from it. Additionally,
I found another article from (KI6AWR) David Haycock. “More on Buddipole
Tuning”.This article gets a little
more in-depth with how to adjust for the resonant frequency, feed point
impedance and provides a table to easily fine tune the Buddipole in a dipole
configuration. From that day forward, I've never had any issues assembling my Buddipole Antenna System in any configuration from 80 - 2 meters.
NOTE:
I have found the best way to fully appreciate and use the Buddipole Antenna
System is with the use of an Antenna Analyzer.
This tool is invaluable in fully enjoying the capabilities of the
BUDDIPOLE.
Over
the years I’ve used several different configurations. L-Shape, V-Shape, Dipole,
Vertical, 6 Meter Yagi, and 2 Meter J-Pole.
Buddipole L-configuration
Buddipole V-Configuration
6 Meter Yagi
2 Meter J-Pole
I’ve used my Buddipole Antenna with My QRO rigs:
Ten Tec Delta 580, Yaesu FT-891 and QRP rigs: Yaesu FT-817, QCX 40 & 20
Meter Mini, QDX, HB-1B and Pixie rigs
During my most recent Buddipole antenna Parks
on the Air activation, I used my QRP You Kits HB-1B QRP CW transceiver on 20
meters in a dipole configuration. Below
is a picture of the setup and a QSO map of the QSOs on what turned out to be a
very, very chilly March afternoon with less than optimum band and solar
conditions.
Buddipole POTA activation 3/16/24
HB-1B & Buddipole POTA activation 3/16/24
With the above types of results I’ll be using my
Buddipole Antenna systems quite a bit more
Buddipole:More on tuning KI6AWR
by David Haycock, KI6AWR
Buddipole is an antenna system with many
combinations and ideas to get a signal out in the air
The Buddipole, the Buddistick and the
BuddiHex
The BuddiHex took 10 years of iterations
and design ideas to come to production with its massive wait list
Buddipole offers spare parts and
accessories to make your deployments easier and faster on any ham band
First, READ THE MANUAL, as its not a
traditional dipole but a slightly Offset Center Fed Dipole. This brings the
antenna impedance closer to 50 ohms due to its shorter antenna length. For a
10m dipole it would be deployed like a regular dipole. However, one side will
be a bit longer or shorter and its tap point will be different than the other
side. No need to understand it just follow the instructions and you will be
fine.
Yes, an antenna analyzer like the
Rigexpert 230 Stick will be ideal as is the iPortable meter. I use both
depending on what I am deploying. Its a bit pricey but I have had mine for 10
years and replaced the battery twice. Its an ideal size and does exactly what I
need ….quickly in 3 seconds be able to check the SWR. I just got the RE Stick
and I am excited to try it out at the parks.
Ok always ensure you use the guys on your
tripod ALWAYS as the wind can knock it over
Tip #1 Get longer whips to replace the
standard 5 and half foot ones. Longer whips means more signal on 20m and 40m.
The 9 and half footers are a nice add on to your kit
Advertisement
Tip #2 Get additional arms to increase the
length between the VersaTee and the Coil to increase signal output and allow
the ablity to make a beam
Tip #3 Get the TRSB Triple Ratio Switch
Balun as it will allow its use as a common mode choke to keep RFI out of the
coax but also to work as a transformer to up convert the impedance ratios to
match at 50 ohms. Compromise antennas can be very capacitive (remember the LC
circuits on the ham exam) but the big coils on the Buddipole compensate but the
resonace impedance can be 12.5 ohms so we need to bring it up to 50 ohms using
the 1:4 position. A 9:1 balun takes 450 ohms and drops it to 50 ohms.
Trust me, I tried to play around and make
my own but I did get Alex Biocca’s kit but since I have too many Buddipole kits
I needed another one. I should have gotten two so I can use it with my Super
Antenna MP1 or homebrew whips.
Tip #4 Just get the Deluxe Kit at a Dayton
Special price as the 18 ft mast makes a big difference. Try to get every
antenna up that high as a 1/2 wave above ground is the way to go for best
radiation performance.
You can get the painter pole adapter from
Budd and be all set up with a Big Box store special Painter Pole $40
The Buddipole team is happy yo mix and
match components with other brands as needed as its all about having fun and
making QSO
73s
IPS
Bonus Tip: You will get a Mastwerks
eventually so get it now
See the Dec 2022 QST for my BuddiHex
review
POTA with the BuddiHex is the next level
of operations think being an Extra class or Advanced
A year ago I purchased and built a QCX Mini (40 Meter version) QRP CW transceiver from QRPLabs. My main reason for this purchase was the small nature of the radio. A subsequent added reason was its capacity to operate with 9 volts.
Over the last year I have used this rig several times using a 9 volt / 200 mah battery. Most recently August 26th and 27th, 2023 during a Parks on the Air activation.
On those two days the Terrestrial weather was extremely HOT with daytime high temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. My activations on those two days were at or near sunrise. Even at sunrise it was warm, humid and muggy with sunrise temperatures hovering in the low 80's.
However, the Space weather was working in my favor with the SFI at 139, A index of 6, K index of 2, Sun Spot number of 70, and Solar Winds of 380. The noise of the HF bands was relatively quiet.
My antenna for both days was my 40/20 Meter Linked End Fed Half Wave antenna I constructed from Tufteln. Joshua / N5FY has a nice selection of antenna and other ham radio related accessories. Visit his site here https://www.tufteln.net/
I wanted to get this antenna as close to vertical as possible so I used 150 feet of Weaver Arborist Throw Line and a 14 ounce weight to get it as high as possible into a tree.
Here is how I launched my line into this tree. Its an awkward backward between my legs and over my head throw which works very well for me.
Once my antenna was up well over 50 feet into the tree, I setup as much as possible in the shade and within less than two minutes of calling CQ, I received my first QSO.
My station is so small it fits on a kneeboard from Tufteln which hold my rig, paddle, battery, audio recorder and notepad for logging.
My setup is simple, light and what I consider to be small which can fit in a small backpack. The heaviest item of my setup is the arborist throw line and weight.
Due to the heat, I only operated about an hour on August 26th and 27th. Both days were on 40 meters with 1 watt or less. Here are maps of QSOs for both days.
August 26, 2023
August 27, 2023
All in all it was a fun two days of operating QRPp, 1 watt and less using a 9 Volt battery you'll find in your home smoke detector. And if you do decide to try this type of operation, please DO NOT REMOVE the battery from your smoke detector
Recently I made a Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon post stating I had purchased a new radio after saying I wasn't going to buy another radio. I just couldn't let this radio go to someone else. Before revealing what radio it is let me briefly explain why I purchased this radio.
Many are aware I do all of my Parks on the Air activations via one of my bicycles. But few know that I'm a bicycle tourist and have done some ham radio operating during most of my bicycle tours. For almost 10 years my bike touring rig has been the FT 817, Key, mic, Z817 Auto-tuner, 12V 3A LiFePO battery, 80-10 meter Random Length (9:1) unun, plus throw weight and paracord. Excellent radio for bicycle touring. However, I'm always trying to find ways to cut weight and space while bike touring. Since I'm a diabetic, I generally burn about 3000 daily calories on my multi day bike tours, I eat a lot, a whole lot while riding, so food takes up a lot of space in my panniers. So I decided to create more space for next year's bike tours.
My choice is a YouKits HB-1B (MK3 version) covering 40, 30, 20, 17 and 15 meters.
YouKits HB-1B Transceiver
This super rig along with a 40,30,20,17,and 15 meter linked dipole I'm constructing from 26 AWG HOT PINK wire for dipole with RG174 coax, Weaver Leather Arborist throw line weight and the SP4 POTA/SOTA Mini Morse Code Paddle along with a LiFePo 12v 3 Ah battery will fit very snug in one of my panniers.
So the suspense is over. Happy Holidays and thanks to all of the wonderful people of PARKS on the Air and POTA hunters who make my Ham on a Bike POTA activations possible.
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