XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, uk.radio.amateur, free.uk.amateur-radio
G4AKC - HF Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobile
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"20m Backpack to Backpack challenge" .
Posted: 19 Oct 2021 06:12 AM PDT
https://www.g4akc.co.uk/backpack-to-backpack-challenge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=backpack-to-backpack-challenge
Its 14 years since I operated my original backpack in order to set up a challenge to work ssb backpack to backpack from Blackpool England to New Zealand long path on 15th November 2007 which was successful..
https://www.g4akc.co.uk/world-record/
I recently constructed a new manpack to operate more freely around the
beach area
https://www.g4akc.co.uk/new-hf-backpack-pedestrian-mobile/
My good friend Alex, VK2PRC
http://www.qrz.com/db/vk2prc who uses the
original Ex ArmyClansman PRC 320 on his backpack frame decided to attempt a similar long path 15,500 mile 20M backpack to backpack QSO on 20m ssb.
Yesterday on 18th October 2021 at 08:00 UTC we managed the SSB backpack to backpack contact between Blackpool England and Sydney Australia on the long path under poor propagation conditions.
We were both by the sea using full sized quarter wave vertical antennas,
Alex was using just 30 Watts and I was using 50W from my backpack
https://www.g4akc.co.uk/latest-backpack-build-september-2021/.
We are planning to repeat the QSO again when propagation is better as unfortunately there was a solar disturbance on this day which affected propagation severely, I was also plagued by rain and strong winds which
were not forecast.
Alex, VK2PRC and I have had many ssb HF 20M Bicycle to Pedestrian mobile contacts previously on 20m long path but this is the first time that both
of us have used backpacks at both ends of the path.
G4AKC Backpack Mobile
http://www.qrz.com/db/g4akc
Alex, VK2PRC Backpack Mobile
http://www.qrz.com/db/vk2prc
Dave G4AKC
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Latest Backpack Build September 2021
Posted: 19 Oct 2021 05:33 AM PDT
https://www.g4akc.co.uk/latest-backpack-build-september-2021/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latest-backpack-build-september-2021
The Latest HF backpack set up was initially constructed from a very rusty
ex Military Clansman backpack
The rusty metal backpack was rubbed down and rust treated and then given
two coats of hammerite black paint and replacement webbing straps were
fitted
Lightweight brackets were made to support the Alinco DX-70TH transceiver to
a 3mm aluminium plate that was fastened to the frame and significant cross structure bars were added to strengthen and support the set up
A 12V 22Ah lightweight lithium polymer battery was chosen to power the
system and this is strap mounted in the centre of the backpack in order to retain a good weight balance, the DC output to the radio is fed via a resettable 20A breaker
The ground tuning unit (GTU) is mounted under the antenna base and is a toroidal version of my previous tuning units to provide necessary ground coupling. The mirror mount 3/8 antenna base is clamped but insulated from
the Clansman frame, twin headphone sockets were added to the lower part of
the metal backing plate.
More information re ground tuning
https://www.g4akc.co.uk/ground-tuning-units-gtus/
The antenna is a stainless steel sleeved MFJ-1979 full sized quarter wave vertical which is adjustable in length to be resonant for all bands from 10
to 20M inclusive at its full length for 20M it is 17ft long.
A parallel charging socket was added to charge the LIPO battery and an LDG
Z100 plus auto ATU was added to facilitate impedance matching over
differing terrains.
The total weight is around 20 pounds and is easy to carry and feels well balanced.
The 22Ah battery provides several hours of solid operation on 50W
The charger is a dedicated LIPO charger and is fed via an IEC type
connector.
The backpack will also fit on my tricycle for transportation purposes and removed for backpack operation.
Dave G4AKC
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