Posted: 4/18/2012 6:52:14 AM EDT
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I'm heading out for Four Peaks to do some portable ops. It will take me a few hours to get there and set up. I'll call CQ ARFCOM on the 20m guard channel (14.067.5 +1500) and maybe 40m (7.112 +1500) so listen up for me. I should be operating by 18:00Z or so.
Pics later this evening. 
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I was about 1/2 hour late getting to my destination and on the air. I wasn't out to make a bunch of contacts, just a relaxing day near Four Peaks.
I met this guy on the way up. He was not too happy about having to move off the road. 
It wasn't a rattler, and I wasn't going to get close enough to identify it. He was every bit of 5 feet long. Here is my favorite spot in this area. 
Operating position. 
Elevation is about 6000ft and has a great path to the north east. Just as I was booting up the laptop, aa777888 started transmitting but I missed his call. We made contact a little while later, my only contact of the day. I tried my little vertical on 10m phone for a bit, but no replies. 
Can't wait to do it again! |
. Very cool.
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Have you considered something like this?
The FXTenna (TM) Portable Antenna |
Good to know I wasn't in any danger Meplat lol. That FXTenna is almost what I have now. My ideal portable would be the 30ft telescoping fiberglass mast with a SGC 239 coupler at the base. String out some radials and BAM! On the air!. Not too many tall trees down on the desert floor. I have to go up to 5000ft plus before there are any trees to speak of and the mast would work anywhere, trees or no trees. I suppose I could try to load up a Saguaro cactus.
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A loop antenna would be another alternative.
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/antennatalk6.php |
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Quoted: Good to know I wasn't in any danger Meplat lol. That FXTenna is almost what I have now. My ideal portable would be the 30ft telescoping fiberglass mast with a SGC 239 coupler at the base. String out some radials and BAM! On the air!. Not too many tall trees down on the desert floor. I have to go up to 5000ft plus before there are any trees to speak of and the mast would work anywhere, trees or no trees. I suppose I could try to load up a Saguaro cactus. An SG-239 opens up all kinds of antenna options. Very nice units and they'll outperform most other types of tunners....hands down. With a loop, ladder line fed dipole or inverted V....you don't even need radials. |
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Looks like a great way to spend the day.
Usnerdoc is a ham that has some good stuff on portable communications. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsrgGy_JhpY |
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Quoted:
Good to know I wasn't in any danger Meplat lol. That FXTenna is almost what I have now. My ideal portable would be the 30ft telescoping fiberglass mast with a SGC 239 coupler at the base. String out some radials and BAM! On the air!. Not too many tall trees down on the desert floor. I have to go up to 5000ft plus before there are any trees to speak of and the mast would work anywhere, trees or no trees. I suppose I could try to load up a Saguaro cactus. I probably caught some of your broadcast yesterday on VHF 147.240. Caught the tail end of what sounded like a field day in the Bradshaws. (Edit; Derp, misread 20M as 2m. I couldnt have heard you with what little I have!) |
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Meh, I built one already. It doesn't come close in performance to a dipole or inverted vee. I want something that will go down to at least 40m and 80m coverage would be ideal. The SGC239 has been rolling around in my head for months now..I think I'll have to unload some unused equipment to buy one. |
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Quoted:
Meh, I built one already. It doesn't come close in performance to a dipole or inverted vee. I want something that will go down to at least 40m and 80m coverage would be ideal.
What did you use for the loop conductor (I hope it wasn't wire)? I used RG-213 for the main and "sniffer" loops. I mean, it does OK, for it's small size, but when I do portable ops, size matters.  I have practically unlimited room to string up whatever I want but it's tough trying to find support structures down here on the desert floor.
A simple vertical (somewhat self supporting) would be ideal. And oh yes gcw, condition one or go home...and get your Glock.. 
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