West Allis Radio Amateur Club
Pat Hoppe
WW9R
Typical HF Operation
Fixed Antennas
Typical HF Operation
Fixed Antennas Big Radios
Mobile HF Operation
Mobile HF Operation
What kind of antenna would I use? Where would I put the radio? How much does it cost? Will anyone hear me? What mode would I use? Is it difficult to do?
Mobile HF Operation
My station design parameters:
• Easy to use (eyes on the rode!)
• Minimal footprint (wife friendly)
• Reasonable cost $$$
• CW
Mobile HF Operation
Ease of Use• Minimal radio interaction
• Good receiver
• Buttons not menus
• Big VFO
• “Set-it and Forget it”
Mobile HF Operation
Minimal Footprint• Control Head
• Clean Mounting System• Lido Mount
Mobile HF Operation
Minimal Footprint• Single Antenna for HF
& VHF/UHF• Yaesu ATAS 120
6 – 40 mtrs, VHF/UHF
• Easy “Tune” feature
Mobile HF CW
Modified Diamond K400 mount
Mobile HF Operation
Reasonable Cost• Yaesu FT-857D $729.00
• Yaesu ATAS 120 $299.00
• Lido Mount $ 24.99
• Diamond Ant. Mount $ 73.99
• Coax extension cable $ 16.99
• Comet Duplexer $ 74.99
• Total Cost $1,218.96
Mobile HF Operation
A BIG signal from a little station?
Mobile HF Operation
A BIG signal from a little station?
CW
Mobile HF CW
With CW, you will put out a Big signal with very little power.
Mobile HF CW
But will anyone hear me?
Mobile HF CW
17 Meters2/16/ 2016 20:27zDriving through Muskego
Mobile HF CW
E73W 20 mtrs Bosnia 6Y5WJ 30 mtrs Bahamas EA8/DL4MO 20 mtrs Canary Is. DR0Z 20 mtrs Germany EH3CT 20 mtrs Spain ZL1BYZ 20 mtrs New Zealand WD5LZC 40 mtrs Kentucky
Mobile HF CW
Reality Check – How do you copy CW while driving?
Mobile HF CW
If you can copy without writing things down (head copy), you can do this.
Mobile HF CW
Get on the air and operate. Listen to a mp3 player while doing other
activities MorseGen converts txt files to cw CW Freak
Mobile HF CW
Besides, copying the code isn’t the problem.
Mobile HF CW
The key to operating mobile CW is the location of the “key” (or paddles).
Mobile HF CW
Mobile HF CW
Mobile HF CW
Start out by operating at home until you can copy the code in your head.
Listen to CD’s or an MP3 player in the car.
Install your radio and just listen. Listen some more… Look for me on the bottom end of 20…
CW Resources
FISTS• www.fists.org
CWops• http://www.cwops.org
Contesting Resources
Society of Midwest Contesters• www.w9smc.com