Wires & Pliers

Have station, will travel

By Douglas Casamer, W8DMC

Haven't we all given thought to a portable station with honest home QTH capabilities away from home? Of course we have and this is just how Douglas M. Casamer, W8DMC from Michigan has accomplished said task.

Building a HF portable station with sufficient equipment was my objective. I first determined it was to be carried by one person that enclosed the features one normally has at his/her home QTH. This then being a transceiver, adequate power supply, ability to tune various antennas, monitor my SWR/power readings and have a quality light weight station.

Searching for lightweight equipment historically could have been a challenge. However with the recent compact HF transceivers and lightweight power supplies, the solution was at hand. The weight issue was a major concern, along with size. This past Spring while at Dayton, I came across the MFJ Switching Power Supply model 4225MV, which weighed about three pounds. This vs. the average 26 lbs. one normally finds in the Astron RS35M Power Supply I use at the home QTH. Therefore with this lightweight unit my weight problem was resolved. Now to keep within my designed 21" x 22" x 16" wooden cabinet.

Rear view with easy access to all your equipment.

Next I secured some 3/4 x 8' x 16" pine boards, which when cut to size would provide two shelves and the bottom being it's third. Also front closing doors for travel. At the lower rear of this cabinet I installed a 1" x 1" x 20" solid copper bus bar for all the equipment grounding site. This provided a common ground with one feed to the natural grounding earth point. I always take along a 4foot copper clad grounding rod for set up when a natural ground is not found.

On the bottom shelf left I installed the MFJ 4225MV Switching Power Supply. At the right the Yaesu Sp67 speaker, I also bought at Dayton this past year used. The above center shelf is the Yaesu FT840, 16010 meter transceiver. This is a really nice working radio with plenty of features to keep even the best DXer happy. To the right is the matching Yaesu FC10 Auto Tuner for any coax feed line fixed antenna, such as a multi band vertical or lightweight "Butter Fly" beam.

On the top shelf is the Autek Research WM 1 Auto Computing SWR/PWR meter. This is a very accurate meter with large two-inch meters, that is a joy to read in most any condition. To the right I have selected the MFJ Deluxe Versa Tuner II model 949e. A good unit that provides much versatility, as any experienced operator requires, up to 300 watts, for long wires, dipoles and ladder line hook ups etc.

The rear view picture you will see how the copper bus bar is set up to provide grounding. Along the side of the cabinet I placed an "Isobar" AC power line choke and filter, which has four outlets and the one power cord line when AC is available or a portable generator is used. Notice the side heavy duty handles for carrying or as cargo tie down points when securing in a vehicle for travel. The entire station is only 27 lbs., and is easily managed by one person for standalone or table top operation.

The external antennas I have selected for multi-application use is the Mosley 40-10 meter vertical. It's easy to tune, lightweight and very easy to assemble vs. other verticals. Also an off center fed 80-10 meter dipole by Radio Works and the Butter Fly beam, also lightweight and easy to place on any mast that you can turn. These three antennas have provided contacts on six different continents in the field of operation other than 160 meters.

Front view of the completed cabinet with the door open.

The whole station, which includes new and used equipment, was less than $1,325. That's excellent considering its total capabilities. I have enjoyed this portable station on the move in the pickup truck, at the cottage, back yard patio table or even when away on holiday or visiting family and friends.

The time involved to build was just four hours with basic tools and a table saw. I do suggest you secure the equipment with plastic straps you can find at any electrical supply store. Another good idea that I used were [L] brackets secured one or two to each piece of equipment, then the wooden shelf bottom support. When you're finished all equipment is self contained and easily stored away until used again and won't move around.

For those interested in a portable set up this has been a real joy for my many field applications at a low cost and plenty of versatility. Good luck and good building.

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