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Portable Communications - Off the deep end

bendts

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

Some of the HAM's here may have seen some of these videos by OH8STN. He used to live in San Diego I believe and now lives in Finland. He has put out a bunch of very informative videos on Low Power Portable Communications. This may be old news to some or totally new to others - And for those on the HAM Fence, these may push you over (one way or the other) when you see the low power HAM Digital capabilities vs GMRS / CB.

While many talk of radios to be used while traveling on the road or trail - you can also have some comms, contacts & fun while sitting still. And with and HF radio and Winmor/Winlink Software you can send emails to anyone in the world to update them if needed - as in "We're doing fine" or "Come get my butt".

This may intrigue the gadget nerds out there who are looking for a new fix...

His main page -

Recent post from QRZ.com -

Bunch of Winlink Videos:
 

clmautz

Rank II
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

I have my tech license (KN4BLI) and a few 2m/70cm radios, a few ht and a few mountable radios I inherited. It's a rabbit hole, though, but it's fun! I need to mount a permanent antenna, route my wiring, and decide on a location for the mounted radio. So far I've just used a ht with various degrees of success (need to play with antennas more). It's an art and a science!

I also have a ht cb, as I don't want to mount something I'll never use and waste the space. If I do end up using it (never so far), I'll get a good wired base station.

Thanks for the link!
 

Downs

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

I keep a FT90R in my solar generator case and a roll up antenna I toss up in a tree. Right now I'm throwing together a lightweight 10 foot or so antenna mast to post up out of my front receiver hitch.
 

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

I have my tech license (KN4BLI) and a few 2m/70cm radios, a few ht and a few mountable radios I inherited. It's a rabbit hole, though, but it's fun! I need to mount a permanent antenna, route my wiring, and decide on a location for the mounted radio. So far I've just used a ht with various degrees of success (need to play with antennas more). It's an art and a science!

I also have a ht cb, as I don't want to mount something I'll never use and waste the space. If I do end up using it (never so far), I'll get a good wired base station.

Thanks for the link!
Was playing with HTs, internal and external antennas the other week. Was amazed at how much better performance the cheap mag mount antenna sloppily placed on the Jeep had vs a decent comet whip antenna attached directly.
 
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