Used to be an artillery surveyor and used the heavy wooden ones. Allot younger then. Humped those beasts for miles. We used sand bags back then too. 20 pounders should keep it steady.
HF Listening
- Thread starter bearcatrp
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SDR is clearly the way to go. Check these videos I did these radio vids with a 59ft piece of wire connected to my pc with RG-6 and f connectors. Speaks for itself
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
Reading thru this thread was interesting. I just bought an Icom R8600 a few months back and I have it and an Icom R75 hooked up to a 40ft End-Fed PAR dipole for the time being. I am about to embark on RV journey to Alaska and when I get back I am going to rectify my HF rx antenna situation. I usually play around chasing frequencies and comparing on dxing.com and WebSDR.com and in doing that I came to the realization that my 40-ft EF_PAR is seriously lacking. So, when I get back I plan to purchase the W6LVP magnetic loop and I also plan to replace the 40-ft wire with an 85-footer and see how that goes.
It was while playing around with the SDRs that I decided to make the changes. In Florida I had a 100-ft wire up and used 3 HF rigs on it and I had great reception for utility and maritime signals, shortwave broadcast, and military aero stuff. Now, with SDRs things seem to be a bit refined, and I think a few of us old HF listeners still prefer a ridged tuning knob with a speed dimple - just sayin'.
I have the SDR# RTL dongle, a cheapie kit I bought on eBay to explore the possibilities, and I do have fun with it. I just use a window-mounted UG vhf/uhf scanner antenna for it (looks like a pipe bomb in my window lol). I have picked up so many frequencies being used by local businesses in the vhf/uhf band - then I write them to a scanner list. If I found a decent HF SDR set up I might incorporate that into my HF arsenal here. So I am lurking and taking notes here and there thanks to you guys. Chasing signal with this R8600 is a blast, and I can only imagine what a great antenna will do for it. I am considering just buying another end-fed balun and using the PAR for an HF-SDR set up. I have to make some equipment purchases as well - a 4 rig antenna switching set up with a desktop console (dxengineering has quite a few, just have to make sure I get the right ohms value - 50 or 75) and I will be looking for an antenna rotor as well. A local hammie here suggested looking for a rotor at our local Menards home store. So, upon my return I will have some HF work to do!
Recommendations on an HF-SDR setup would be greatly appreciated!
The fun never ends!
JD
kf4anc...listening...
It was while playing around with the SDRs that I decided to make the changes. In Florida I had a 100-ft wire up and used 3 HF rigs on it and I had great reception for utility and maritime signals, shortwave broadcast, and military aero stuff. Now, with SDRs things seem to be a bit refined, and I think a few of us old HF listeners still prefer a ridged tuning knob with a speed dimple - just sayin'.
I have the SDR# RTL dongle, a cheapie kit I bought on eBay to explore the possibilities, and I do have fun with it. I just use a window-mounted UG vhf/uhf scanner antenna for it (looks like a pipe bomb in my window lol). I have picked up so many frequencies being used by local businesses in the vhf/uhf band - then I write them to a scanner list. If I found a decent HF SDR set up I might incorporate that into my HF arsenal here. So I am lurking and taking notes here and there thanks to you guys. Chasing signal with this R8600 is a blast, and I can only imagine what a great antenna will do for it. I am considering just buying another end-fed balun and using the PAR for an HF-SDR set up. I have to make some equipment purchases as well - a 4 rig antenna switching set up with a desktop console (dxengineering has quite a few, just have to make sure I get the right ohms value - 50 or 75) and I will be looking for an antenna rotor as well. A local hammie here suggested looking for a rotor at our local Menards home store. So, upon my return I will have some HF work to do!
Recommendations on an HF-SDR setup would be greatly appreciated!
The fun never ends!
JD
kf4anc...listening...
I too, like tailgater911, am old fashion and like the big knob for tuning into frequencies. The little knob on my R30 was getting to be a PITA but still a nice mobile solution. Helped me decide if I want to really get into HF. Picked up a Yeasu FT-891. wish I could afford the Icom 8600 but not in the cards at this time. Should be set up when my power supply comes in next week. I did ask Icom if they were going to update the R75. Said not at this time and told me to get the 7200. Almost did but went another route.
Tailgator911, enjoy your trip. Took the misses on a alaska cruise a few years ago. Did the land tour up to Mt McKinly. Awesome country. She wants to drive up next time. Long drive but may do it sometime. Have fun.
Tailgator911, enjoy your trip. Took the misses on a alaska cruise a few years ago. Did the land tour up to Mt McKinly. Awesome country. She wants to drive up next time. Long drive but may do it sometime. Have fun.
A journey in an RV sounds interesting...an antenna mounted in the center of the roof (if possible) would give a great ground plane, and some decent height advantage too!
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
Thanks much, bearcatrp! The planning and preparing and stocking up is just about done. We're getting closer - June 15th -!
WB9YBM - I have a few new antennas to try out, both vhf/uhf and 2m/440 and HF. I have a luggage rail rack that runs on both sides (top) of my Winnebago Via and I am using side window mirror mounts on the rails to mount the antennas and its working great so far. We'll see how they stand up to the weather once we've been out there a while. I am buying another SDS200 to take on the trip, and I just purchased the Uniden GPS puck kit for it and my SDS100. It will be an adventure!
WB9YBM - I have a few new antennas to try out, both vhf/uhf and 2m/440 and HF. I have a luggage rail rack that runs on both sides (top) of my Winnebago Via and I am using side window mirror mounts on the rails to mount the antennas and its working great so far. We'll see how they stand up to the weather once we've been out there a while. I am buying another SDS200 to take on the trip, and I just purchased the Uniden GPS puck kit for it and my SDS100. It will be an adventure!
w2xq
Mentor
You might grab a DMR radio, a hotspot and a jetpack (or whatever your carrier calls it) and have some more fun.
What are your driving? Drivable RV or 5th wheel/pull behind?
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
Drivable RV, It's only 25-ft, but it has sliders so it's pretty roomy when I'm camped. I was shocked when the Alaska Maritime Highway ferry to Sitka was $5k one way. $10,000 roundtrip to Sitka on the main ferry. We're going to fly over and rent a car and 'camp the spruce' as they say up there 
Sounds like a great long trip. Have a great time.
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
It will probably last most of the summer, as there is no rush. We are retired and we don't care! hah we will be visiting kids in Escondido, friends in LA/Texas/Alabama/….ending up at our timeshare in Florida. We are snowbirds once again! It will be fun, thanks for the well wishes!
JD
kf4anc
JD
kf4anc
Allot of driving. Am x truck driver and love the road. Hope some day to do the same. Not sure about the snow bird thing but just get into a RV and drive around the country. Pull behind wouldn't be to bad either. Let me know how the drive to alaska goes. Heard they upgraded that long road so curious if its better than what I have heard in the past.
Last night with the FT-891 was fun. A bit noisier than night before. Nice to turn a big knob again narrowing down frequencies. Now to learn the radio to tweak it to my liking. For the price, hard to beat. Hopefully it will get me thinking of getting my ticket.
Operating portable from a campground is one of my favorite radio activities. I hope you have fun
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
Mine, too! I'm hoping to revive 10m all the way up to Alaska if possible. I will try from a variety of QTHs and see if I can give 10m some CPR as needed lol See what happens!
Am camping now through Sunday north of Brainerd. First time trying mobile scanning. Brought the D220R mini discone but should have brought the HF antenna. I’ll change that next trip. Was surprised I picked up St. Cloud P25 loud and clear up here. New learning experience. You folks scanning while camping, you just using the antenna that came with your handheld? I brought my tripod, 16 foot telescopic pole and coax to hook into my R30.
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