VE6AB Mobile Ops
Down Range
Early morning finds me about 80 kilometers east of Calgary and just off of highway 564.
In the photo I am set up with my log-periodic mounted on the Max-Gain Systems push-up mast mounted on my mobile.
The LPDA (log-periodic dipole array) is a tribander that I built to cover the bands of 2 meters, 1 1/4 meters, and 3/4 meters.
On this morning, I am operating my Yaesu FT-897D on 2 meter SSB on the frequency of 144.200 MHz, I could have set it on the console where my radio-stack is located, however with such a beautiful morning for the middle of November, it was more fun to operate outside of my mobile, with my FT-897D sitting on the cargo bay of my Av.
The 10-80 meter gearmotor antenna mounted on the back of my mobile is connected to my Kenwood TS-480HX mounted in the radio stack of my mobile. Unfortunately the TS-480HX is not an all-mode radio with 2 meter capability, so thus the reason for operating 2 meter SSB with the FT-897D.
Recently I mentioned the fact that I installed a wireless remote control device on my gearmotor antenna, and I am very pleased with how well it allows for positioning the coil of the gearmotor antenna in the position required for the band I'm working. Its as simple as pressing the up or down button on the keyfob remote transmitter, and once the band of choice is reached, its a simple matter to bump the motor for final tuning.
Earlier I made a contact with Al VE6AN in Gibbons Alberta, located north of Edmonton at a distance of approximately 350 kilometers on the LPDA, and then I turned and pointed the LPDA to the southwest, and working Stephane VE6NR located in Calgary.
In this photo, I have lowered the LPDA, as I didn't need the height to work Stephane at a distance of approximately 80 kilometers between his location and mine.
If you expand the photo further, you can see the Alberta Rockies on the western horizon, a distance of approximately 200 kilometers from my location.
Click on the photo for a closer look.....
I recorded an audio file of my contact with Stephane VE6NR, and you can follow the link to hear the audio recorded during this contact.....
https://soundcloud.com/user-8677165/amateur-radio-contact
Maximizing the output power of your portable rig.....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/VE6AB-Technical/i-jWzxrLj
