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Author Topic: HF pedestrian mobile - how to do it, antennas and results possible  (Read 355 times)

VK3YE

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I've done a few HF pedestrian mobile videos.
But this is the one that sums it up, talking about results possible and antennas to try. 
Originally presented at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, it's now also on YouTube. Starting in a few minutes,
I'll be there for Q & A during the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzYiqqUhyb8
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Peter VK3YE/AK3YE    Youtube videos at VK3YE

Author of 'Minimum QRP', 'Hand-carried QRP Antennas', 'Ham Radio Get Started' and other popular books on ham radio.
All available in paperback or $US 5 ebook. Learn more at vk3ye.com or 'VK3YE Radio Books' on Facebook.

W4FID

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Re: HF pedestrian mobile - how to do it, antennas and results possible
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2021, 04:00:34 AM »

A lot of good ideas and the actual audio from real QSOs gives is creditability. Nice.

BUT -- the section where he has a ground cuff on his ankle and is in the water -- YIKES!!! Better be damn sure there is no static charges floating above you or an approaching storm. Well ahead of a storm are static charges and with a conductive stick the highest thing around and your ankle/foot well grounded in the water and wet sand --YIKES!!! A static charge -- not even actual lightning -- just a static build up ..... you would be very lucky if only the radio's guts got fried. Your guts could get fried.

I have not done pedestrian mobile. But I have done picnic table portable and golf cart mobile and it is fun. Magnetic loops are a viable way to go. Guess I need to get out my walking shoes and give pedestrian a try.
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GRUMPY2021

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Re: HF pedestrian mobile - how to do it, antennas and results possible
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2021, 04:16:09 AM »

Notice he says several times "low power".   Pay heed to that and don't get the notion to carry around a cheap Chinese amp and start holding 125 watts or so at your head.   And that grounding strap thing on his leg.    No.    Just no.   W4FID explains all that and I second it.   

Personally I wouldn't walk around in water holding an antenna to my head but that's just me.   
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WB6BYU

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Re: HF pedestrian mobile
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2021, 07:38:18 AM »

Static build-up isn’t a problem if you provide
a static drain (DC path) between antenna and
ground.  Commercial wrist straps use a 1 Meg
resistor, so it doesn’t need to be low resistance.
A shunt coil in the matching network, or a
47K wirewound resistor, will do the job, especially
when wading in salt water.

Lightning is a different matter, of course.  That
requires situational awareness, as well as a
good understanding of local weather patterns.
There are lots of other antennas (including fixed
and mobile ones, or operating from a picnic table)
that can be dangerous in a lightning storm, but
are not as common in many areas of the world as
they are in parts of the US.

So you have to assess your own local conditions
to see how suitable such methods are for you,
just as you would do with everything else about
life.  For some of us, the wade-antenna might not
be suitable because we live too far from the ocean,
or the local coastline doesn’t have gentle beaches
with calm seas, or our feet would freeze off
before we could get the antenna tuned up.

That doesn’t mean that they aren’t useful
methods for others to try, or that they might
not provide ideas for ways to improve your
signals in other circumstances.  (An aluminum
canoe has possibilities if I can find a sheltered
bay, or maybe I’ll stay on shore and use a
half-wave wire supported by a kite...)

KB1GMX

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Re: HF pedestrian mobile - how to do it, antennas and results possible
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2021, 11:23:32 AM »

I tried a PRC1099 (5/20 multimode green radio) on 20M using a pack frame
16ft trailing wire and at-271 whip (10ft) and it was fun but the back didn't like
the all up weight of 40 pounds (radio was 33, plus water, and frame).

The whip was enough to torque the frame and pull the back, the
 wire when moving can and did catch.

So lighter radio and stationary portable was the alternate approach.

Hazards, contacting low wires in some areas, tree limbs or other
low height hazards, terrain unfavorable to distance like valleys
and carried weight.  An example is around me are a few old
bridges with 12'6" clearance, consider that with a 8 to 10ft whip
mounted.  Rough terrain can be harder with added weight and
slippery footing.

Don't bend over as you may wack someone with the whip.  ;)


Allison
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KT4WO

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Re: HF pedestrian mobile - how to do it, antennas and results possible
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2021, 06:49:57 PM »

"ground cuff on his ankle and is in the water"

What about copper nails in my shoes with the ground wire ran down
my back and legs to the shoes??

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