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DIY Projects

Park / Field Day Rig

For my first HF setup, I focused on setting up a shack-in-a-pack.

I was very fortunate to receive my first HF radio (FT-897D) through the generosity of a local Elmer. Due to the rugged design of the radio, I decided to build a shack-in-a-pack 70cm-40m all-mode portable rig around it. I’ve done exactly what he once intended to do with the radio so I think I’ve done right by him at least where that’s concerned. To be fair, I know it doesn’t exactly all fit in the pack but what doesn’t I can easily carry in my hands in one trip from the car. I was inspired by one of AE7Q’s field day setups. I emulated the general idea and improved on what I felt I could. I can set this up in around 10-15 minutes. I like the fact that I don’t need an external tuner and I don’t have to string up, stake, lean, or guy anything. The antenna is free-standing and it does well for what it is. I’m not claiming it’s a miracle antenna; it’s a shortened, ground mounted, base loaded vertical. In terms of setup labor efficiency, especially considering the overall HF/VHF/UHF flexibility, I’m extremely happy with the setup. It cost a fraction of what it would have cost to go with a tarheel or scorpion option. Those antennas may be more durable and designed to handle more power but they also require a lot more gear to operate and aren’t as casual as this setup is to use.

I will surely be trying out other more RF efficient, field expedient, DIY antennas in the park once I get an antenna analyzer and tuner. I also have plans to build myself an ultralight pocket sized QRP rig for 20m CW with a an integrated matching unit set up for a DIY EFHW antenna for backpacking. I have yet to decide what makes the most sense for an HF base antenna at my QTH. That doesn’t rule out a yagi on a rotator on the roof or a multi-band hexbeam but I’m not sure when I could manage something like that financially.

This park setup will be great for car camping, road trips, and park events which will encourage me to get out and about in nature. It’s also not a bad setup for emcomm for those that are into that. I didn’t intend for this to be a ‘tacticool’ setup but I can tell it has that kind of vibe; my apologies.

Gear list: