HF Mobile

by Les Cobb, W6TEE

(This article ran in Worldradio, August 1998)

In the July issue, Armond, N6WR, suggested he would like to have a column on HF Mobile, so here we are. 

He is right in saying that the improving HF propagation is making mobile operation on these bands even more popular. I don't have the biggest or best mobile installation, nor am I the most active or accomplished mobile operator, but I have been on HF mobile for most of my 46 years as an Amateur Radio operator. I hope this gives me the perspective to share the mobile scene. So let's look at what's going on. 

When I first met Armond (before Worldradio), we both belonged to a mobile club that encouraged local activity on 75 Meters. VHF repeaters have since eliminated most local HF mobile operation.

So what Amateur Radio activities use HF mobile now? In answering this question, we overlap almost every other column in this magazine. Worldradio columns that cover possible HF mobile interests include: Contests, County Hunting, CW, DX, QRP, and Search and Rescue. Another really big area of HF mobile operating is in RVs and daily RV nets on the HF bands. How do you use your HF mobile? If you aren't on yet, how would you use your HF mobile? I would be pleased to hear from everyone out there.

I personally like to have skeds with friends while I am traveling. But people tend to forget and lose track of time. A more reliable contact for the traveler is a daily net. I found one on 20 Meter SSB that has people check in whom I know, and sufficient relay operators to get around skip areas. Now if I could just get them on the air on weekends, too. 

So far I haven't said anything about the technical and equipment side. I assume the really interested reader is up to speed on the mobile literature, such as Don Johnson, W6AAQ's excellent book, "Everything You Forgot to Ask About HF Mobileering." By some remarkable coincidence, this book is available from Worldradio Books. If some hints and kinks, or interesting products come to my attention, I will share them.

Here are some interesting quotes from my e-mailbag, in the order received:

"I really like the mountains around Chester up north of here. I usually spend most of August up there with the trailer parked under a pine tree. Our RV is a Collins 1993 26-foot fifth wheel. I work HF out of it and talk back home for the most part." Herb Puckett, W6HBU (old friend) (01 Feb 98) 

"I don't have a favorite band, and don't check into any nets but lately I've been running 20M SSB during the commute home and will be running 40M CW in the a.m. commute. It's been a blast really, worked five countries in the first week of operation." (Yaesu FT757gxII, Bug-Catcher) Mark Schoonover, KA6WKE (02 Feb 98) 

"I hang out with a group on 3875 here in the eastern half of the U.S., and we get together twice a year for a mobile antenna shootout for 75M and 160M. We get people from all over the country to come by and compete in this fun event!" Floyd Soo, W8RO (10 Feb 98) 

"I am renting a van conversion up in BC and will be roaming around for three weeks up there. Problem is that it's a rental, I won't actually see it til I get there and I want to be on HF during our travels there. I will be taking an ICOM706MK2 and some Hamsticks." (with a 5" magmount) Gary Belcher, KH6GMP (13 Apr 98) 

"I completed installing my HF rig in my van today, all seems to check out OK but haven't made any contacts yet. I have a Kenwood TS-130 and the Hustler antenna. Will try to check into the ... net Monday. This will be my first HF mobile operation in 33 years." Vern McGlynn, W3DLY (old friend) (25 Apr 98) 

"I work mobile CW in my Chevy S-10, using a Kenwood TS-50S and a screwdriver antenna. Lots of fun and keeps the code proficiency up." Ray Tyrrell, N6MY (03 May 98) 

"I am still running my Outbacker and am back on CW/M. I have the 706 out of the car for a quick checkout, and I will be improving my paddle setup. Worked Oman on 17M CW last week and am feeling the fever to enlarge my DX list." Pete Brunelli, N1QDQ (25 May 98) 

I hope the fellows don't mind my sharing their messages, but this is a good reflection of what is going on. 

If this leaves you interested, but still hungry, you are invited to visit the HF mobile web sites that I have linked from my web page at http://home.pacbell.net/lcobb/. Either scroll toward the bottom of my homepage, or click the HF MOBILE icon. There are some fine web pages listed there that show attention and devotion to HF mobile by the Amateur Radio operators that wrote them. There are some good photos, too.

73, Les

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