It’s also the most widely used VHFīand no matter what license class. The 2 meter band at 144-148 MHz is usually theįirst one that Techs use to get on the air.
Giving additional options for portable operation. 6 meters andĪbove include privileges for Tech, General, and Extra licensees in all modes, Inverter generators, such as the Generac GP2200i, are a good choice if you’ll be operating in a fixed location outdoors.Ĭord/power strip. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) offer the best balance between capacity and weight, making them a favorite choice for portable radio applications. If you’re off the grid, batteries and solar chargers can keep you active. The Alinco DM-430 and MFJ 4230MV provide 30 amp ratings, plenty to run your radio and accessories. If you have access to standard 120VAC power-an RV park or hotel, for example-a mini 13.8VDC power supply is a good choice. The power sources you use will depend on the portable location and the availability of AC power. Transceivers generally use 12-13.8VDC for their operation. Need and make sure your equipment works properly. DoĪ dry run of your portable station setup to be sure you pack everything you Headphones/earbuds, power cables, coaxial adapters, short coax jumpers, etc. That has some room for accessories like microphones, lightweight Pack your radio in a padded hard or soft case, one These would be a better fit for more permanent installations like an RV or trailer. In the compact but not backpack/carry-on friendly category are the Kenwood TS-480, Icom 7300, Icom 7100 and Yaesu 991A. The Yaesu 100W models mentioned in the last section will add some extra punch to your signal, but will require a heavier-duty power supply.
QRP models like the Icom IC-705, MFJ 9400 series and FT-818D pack a lot of features into a small, light package. Think lightweight and compact when considering a transceiver. The SOTABeams Tactical Telescoping Fiberglass Mast has a collapsed length of about 23 inches, perfect for fitting in a backpack or suitcase. Also, consider bringing a compact fiberglass pole to support a wire antenna. They’re efficient for their size, good for QRP operation in limited spaces, and include a variable capacitor and tuning indicator.īring enough feedline to connect the antenna to your radio. One other choice that fits these specifications is a magnetic loop, such as the AlexLoop HamPack Portable Antenna System. It’s likely that an external tuner won’t be necessary. Of course, there’s the option of building your own single-band dipole, a simple project done with wire cut to resonance, a center, and two end insulators.Īll of these antennas are either resonant, easily tuned manually, or adjusted by the radio. Another alternative is the off-center fed dipole (OCF), such as the Buckmaster OCF 40. The lightweight SOTABeams Band Hopper dipole also covers multiple bands-band selection is done with alligator clip jumpers. Par EndFedzare half-wave end-fed (EFHW) antennas that don’t require a counterpoise and are available in single or multiband versions. They’re backpack friendly and are a simple solution that plays well for portable operation. Wire dipoles and end-fed antennas are also widely used and don’t require a counterpoise. Mobile “sticks” such as MFJ’s Monoband Mobile HamTenna Whips can be paired with a mounting bracket to construct a compact vertical or horizontal dipole. Tuning is controlled from the radio with the push of a button. The Yaesu ATAS-120A autotune screwdriver antenna is a perfect match for their portable/mobile radios, including the FT-818, FT-857D, and the FT-891. Comet HFJ-350 series “Toy Box” and MFJ 2286 portable telescopic antennas are typical examples of compact, lightweight antennas that you can stow in your luggage or backpack. Vertical antennas, which usually have a small footprint, need a counterpoise or radials. However, space limitations may limit your The usual rules apply: higher is better, bigger It can make the difference betweenĮstablishing contacts-or not. Should be one of your first considerations. AntennaĪs with all portable operations, the antenna Which you can easily tap for power, and most have generators. Your radio gear to make a rolling ham shack. If you own an RV or trailer, so much the better-install Today’s smaller transceivers and accessories allow you to operate from anywhere, whether it’s a cabin at the lake, a weekend at Uncle Joe’s, hiking, or a hotel room.