PORTABLE OPERATION

I first started trying portable work back in 2012, when I operated portable from Snelling Beach and then Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island (from the comfort of the holiday homes). I used my FT-450, 100W, and my newly acquired Buddipole Deluxe antenna.

In early February 2013 I set up a portable station at Mount Lofty summit (not for SOTA) and ran the Yaesu FT-817nd and my Buddipole.

Following this I ventured up to the nearby Mount Barker summit which is about 2 kms east of my location. Mount Barker summit is about 517 metres above sea level and has a 360 degree panoramic view. It is spectacular up there. I ran my little Yaesu FT-817ND, with just 5 watts, and my Buddipole Deluxe.

Since then I have really been 'bitten by the portable bug' and have undertaken numerous Summits on the Air (SOTA) activations and Park activations for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program, the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award, and the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA).

Eurilla Conservation Park

Some of my portable gear.

Yaesu FT-857d

Yaesu FT-817nd

Elecraft T1 tuner

The Elecraft T1 tuner is a tiny automatic antenna tuner that weighs just 5 ounces.

It can be used with any 0.5 W - 20 W transceiver covering the bands in the 160 - 6 m range.

t1_owners_man_rev_a2.pdf
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t1_data_sheet_np0706_revb.pdf
File Size:	373 kb
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PHSA-12 Deluxe version ground plane antenna

This was my second portable antenna.

Specs are:-

Max power: 100 w
Impedance: 50 Ohms.
Bands: 7-50 mhz (40m-6m).
Set up length: 410 cms.
Retracted length: 34.5 cm
Weight: 1.4 kg.

It is simple to set up and comes in a small fabric carry bag.

Power sources

"A beginners guide to SOTA, VK5 Parks Award, KRMNPA, & WWFF"

In March 2014 I released a document entitled 'A beginners guide to SOTA, VK5 Parks Award, KRMNPA, & WWFF'.

I am in the process of (as of 9th February 2018) updating this publication to incorporate rule changes within the programs, and other developments.

You can download the document below....

a_beginners_guide_to sota_etc_.pdf
File Size:	1540 kb
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Batteries for portable use

batteries_for_portable_use.pdf
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John Moyle Memorial Field Day

The John Moyle Memorial Field Day (JMMFD) is a fantastic way of having a dabble at operating portable. The aim is to encourage and provide familiarisation with portable and field operation, and provide training for emergency situations. The rules are therefore specifically designed and focussed to encourage field operations.

Installing 'peg legs' on Yaesu FT-817nd

Below is a great video from Craig, VK3CRG on portable operation.

This is a video on the setup of the Buddipole Deluxe antenna.

Useful website

Click on the link below to take you to M0MTJ's website.....

Button Text

Field Radio

Field Radio promotes friendship within the international Amateur Radio community through the cooperative exchange of knowledge and experiences of portable operations in the field.

My IFR number is IFR222.

In February 2016, my profile was added to the Field Radio Member spotlight pages. Info can be found at......

http://www.fieldradio.org/paul-simmonds

Pedestrian mobile ops in the United Kingdom

I often chat to a group of UK fellas who head out and operate either as pedestrian mobile or bicycle mobile. This includes Dave G4AKC, Dave M0DAD, Phil 2E0UDX, Tony G7OEM, Barrie G7UFI, Dave M6XMD, and Dick G4ICP.

Here are some audio clips and videos of some of my QSOs with them.