One of my other hobbies besides radio is camping. But iv'e never done any radio work whilst camping, So i decided to pack the yaesu FT-817 and head out into the wilderness for a two day solo camping trip, I used a 66ft EFHW Antenna hooked up to my homebrew EFHW Tuner / SWR Bridge with a 16ft counterpoise wire. The radiating element was about 16ft above ground on a telescopic fishing pole tied to a fence post. My power supply was a 12v 7ah motorcycle battery which lasted me for almost the entire trip,
The RX was sheer bliss, Very very quiet noise floor. On a clear frequency the radio sounded like there was no antenna connected. Thats how quiet the noise floor was, Pre-amp switched on RF Gain up full. Can't use the pre-amp at home due to QRM. Considering the end fed was only 16ft high and i was in a valley RX Signals were booming in, Australia & japan 5-9.
I managed a lot of contacts into europe running mostly 2.5 watts on 20m which was open 24/7. Only managed some inter G contacts on 40m. Very pleased with my homebrew end fed tuner it supassed my expectations.
More info on the tuner below
viewtopic.php?p=553713#p553713
Really enjoyed going portable and can't wait to do it again.
But oh the noise floor was
Buick Mackane's Wilderness DX Adventure
- Buick Mackane
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Buick Mackane's Wilderness DX Adventure
I Am the great cornholio are you threatening me ?
- Auldgeek
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Re: Buick Mackane's Wilderness DX Adventure
Excellent. Anyone claiming that Amateur radio is boring needs to change their hobby!
Well done Jason. The combination of your antenna, location and noise floor all worked in your favour.
Well done Jason. The combination of your antenna, location and noise floor all worked in your favour.
Auldgeek - Drew
Winner of IBTL Autumn 23 Edition
I've changed radios so many times, I've forgotten what I have
Winner of IBTL Autumn 23 Edition
I've changed radios so many times, I've forgotten what I have