HF Backpacking

Since I tested my latest project the miracle antenna mount, I decided to make another type of portable mount only this time I wanted something to house a mobile whip. I came up with a four legged stand which I made from 6mm thick aluminium as seen in the picture.


Once I cut the aluminium, I was able to bend the four legs into the required shape fairly easily using a fly press. I then began to assemble the mobile antenna mount that would allow my vast collection of mobile HF antenna’s to be mounted securely as well as gaining a good RF ground through the mount.

The next stage was to add wire radials directly to the aluminum which can be spread out into an X configuration.


Once I completed the build I packed the gear into my rucksack and headed outside to climb the Moor top. After around 20 minutes of doggy walking, I found a bell pit where I quickly set up and I tried 20m and 15m out with some interesting results.

Louise – M3TLL and or furry companion Dudley were kind enough to once again catch my crazy antics on film during our walkabout.

Here is the latest video from the windy Moor tops

Special Thanks goes to all Stations in the video.

My DX View

I could not resist sharing tonight’s fantastic Sunset view looking out from our Hill Top Shack which was taken earlier this evening by my YL, Louise – M3TLL.

The winter WX is finally coming to an end up here on the Moor and band conditions on HF have been very interesting lately with a lot more reliable & good dx openings into VK & ZL occurring most mornings.

I worked VK6ANC on 20M from my mobile last week 5/9 in the clear at around 8.15utc, using the FT-100 and Maldol HF-20 Mono band antenna.

Evening DXing has been spent down on 40M most nights with plenty of QSOs into North America and the odd Caribbean station.

20M has also been good in the evening especially over the weekend during the US contest, It was nice to see the higher end of the HF bands also up on signal with lots of contester's booming in on 15M.

I had a bit of fun working lots of big signals from across the pond down on my favorite band for DX, 20M.

Antenna Comparisons.

Both the 80M & 20M Delta Loop antennas have been working great for me, I have had much more time to compare the antennas against my vertical the Hustler 6BTV.

The results show the Loop antennas clearly perform the best 80M -17M and the Hustler Vertical performs best from 15M to 10M. It sure is handy having antenna switches in line!

Hustler Mono Band HF Mobile Antenna System

I recently acquired a set of mono band Hustler mobile antennas covering 80M, 40M, 20M, 17M and 15M.Over the weekend I got the opportunity to try the 40M Hustler antenna whilst parked up at 1175 feet on top of neighboring ILKLEY Moor. The antenna was pulling in some big signals and putting out a rather nice footprint as I worked a handful of Irish Stations as well as a couple of Europeans.I made a quick video of the new Hustler mobile antenna in action on 40M with the help of camera Woman Louise – M3TLL (My lovely YL).
The latest Video can be seen below.

I am looking forward to testing the rest of the Hustler Mono Banders as soon as possible! Thanks for the visit, 73.