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Have you ever thought of setting up a portable HF station for an activity like the Field Day ?

Dipole antennas, vertical half-wave dipole antennas with impedence tranformes that can be used for portable operations. Some well worn antenna configurations are the easiest and loudest lash-ups you can try.

This Field Day Vertical Antenna project is the result of many years of attending various field day sites and realizing that what was needed is a simple, easy to assemble vertical antenna. The design of this Field Day Antenna is not very novel and leverages ideas from Butternut verticals and ARRL publications. The one essential requirement was that the antenna can be raised by just one person. The design of this Field Day Antenna is an above ground mounted ground plane vertical.

Operaring portable during field day by VK4ADC

The Davis County Amateur Radio Club (DCARC) serves as a focal point for licensed amateur radio operators in Davis County, Utah, fostering community and promoting radio communication interests. Members engage in various aspects of the hobby, including local nets, public service events, and technical discussions. The club's activities often involve supporting emergency communications preparedness and providing opportunities for skill development among its members. DCARC maintains a presence in the local ham radio scene, facilitating contacts and knowledge exchange. They frequently participate in events like _Field Day_ and offer resources for those interested in obtaining or upgrading their amateur radio licenses. The club also supports local repeaters, ensuring reliable VHF/UHF communication infrastructure for the region. Their website, dcarc.net, provides information on club meetings, upcoming events, and contact details for prospective members.

The Delta Amateur Radio Club (DARC) serves as a community organization for amateur radio operators in the Memphis, Tennessee area, providing resources and activities centered around two-way radio communication. The club maintains the W4BS repeater system, which operates on 147.060 MHz with a +600 kHz offset and a 100 Hz PL tone, facilitating local VHF communications. DARC actively supports the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), preparing members for public service and disaster response through training and coordinated drills. The club also hosts regular meetings and events, fostering camaraderie and technical skill development among its members. Membership in the Delta Amateur Radio Club offers opportunities for participation in various amateur radio activities, including field day operations and local nets. The W4BS repeater provides reliable coverage across the Memphis metropolitan area, serving as a critical asset for both daily ragchewing and emergency traffic handling. DARC's affiliation with the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) ensures access to national resources and advocacy, reinforcing the club's commitment to promoting amateur radio and public service within the community. The club's focus on emergency communications strengthens local preparedness.

The Utah Amateur Radio Club (UARC), holding the callsign _W7SP_, provides a comprehensive resource for amateur radio operators, particularly within Utah. It details club activities such as Field Day, Winter Field Day, and annual social events like the Steak Fry and Christmas Dinner. The site also lists club resources including repeaters, _IRLP_ information, HF remotes, and a lending library. Information on becoming a ham, exam schedules, and a local repeater list are also available, catering to both new and experienced operators in the region. UARC hosts regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month, excluding July and August, at the University of Utah's Warnock Engineering Building, with presentations on topics like weather and _Skywarn_. The club publishes the monthly _Microvolt_ newsletter and maintains a YouTube channel for meeting playback. Additionally, UARC offers a Ham Hotline for questions and provides access to an "Elmer" list for mentorship, supporting the local amateur radio community.

The Dickson County Amateur Radio Club (DCARC) operates as a local organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Middle Tennessee, providing a focal point for hams in the area. The club's activities typically encompass local nets, technical discussions, and support for emergency communications, aligning with the public service aspects of amateur radio. Members often engage in various operating modes and bands, sharing knowledge and experience to enhance their collective skills. Club members participate in field days, local contests, and community events, demonstrating the practical applications of amateur radio. These gatherings offer opportunities for new hams to gain practical experience and for seasoned operators to mentor others, strengthening the local amateur radio community. The DCARC serves as a hub for camaraderie and mutual support among its members, contributing to the vibrant ham radio scene in Tennessee.

First released in 1988, _SWLog_ is a comprehensive suite of applications providing logging and remote control for both amateur radio and shortwave, utility, and broadcast listening. It integrates program schedules from sources like _HFCC_, _ILGRadio_, and _EiBi_ for broadcast reception, while also linking with amateur radio logbooks such as _ClubLog_, _eQSL_, _QRZ_, and _LoTW_. The software supports radio control for various transceivers, including _Flex_, Icom, Yaesu, and Kenwood, alongside interfaces like _FLRig_, _OmniRig_, and _HamLib_. Mobile applications for Android and iOS facilitate on-the-go logging and remote control, seamlessly transferring logs without manual ADIF export. _SWLog_ leverages an enterprise-grade relational database (SQL Server) for robust data management and analytics, enabling features like mapping QSOs by band or state. It offers specific integrations for _POTA_ monitoring, displaying active spots with real-time propagation and automatic radio tuning. The application's scalability allows multiple users to log to a centralized database, suitable for Field Day or DXpeditions. The user interface features modern aesthetics with light, dark, and gray themes, the latter optimized for outdoor visibility during activities like _POTA_ or _SOTA_. The Plus Edition, available for an annual fee, expands capabilities with advanced QSL integration, additional map providers, and enhanced propagation calculations using _VOACAP_.

Presents the Utah Valley Amateur Radio Club (UVARC), K7UVA, detailing its organizational structure and activities within the amateur radio community. The club operates repeaters on 2 meters and 70 centimeters, providing local communication infrastructure for its members. UVARC engages in various ham radio activities, including field operations, technical discussions, and support for emergency communications. The club's website provides information on meeting schedules, upcoming events like _Field Day_ and _Winter Field Day_, and resources for new and experienced hams. It also lists contact information for club officers and details about their _ARRL_ affiliation, emphasizing their role in promoting amateur radio education and public service in the Utah Valley area.

Practice these operating techniques so you will be ready to capture that 100-point bonus on Field Day. QST Article

The article highlights the common absence of modern USB-C ports on handheld ham radios and the limited use of USB for power. The author, [jephthai], shares a solution involving a USB-C cable with power negotiation capabilities, allowing the radio to be powered by USB. By splicing Anderson power pole connectors onto the cable, the radio can now be conveniently powered by a USB battery bank, providing a practical alternative to traditional 12 V batteries for off-grid operations.

A rotatable 40-meter dipole antenna designed and constructed to fit within backyard constraints. The project utilized two fishing poles attached to a fiberglass center pole, resulting in an easy-to-build, lightweight, and cost-effective antenna. Essential materials included fishing rods, a center support pole, mast support, and basic tools. Linear loading was implemented to achieve the necessary length for optimal performance. The antenna, which proved effective during the contest, is ideal for field days and additional contest bands. Assembly and installation were straightforward, showcasing the antenna's practicality and efficiency.

Constructing an effective antenna support system often involves safely elevating wire antennas into trees or over obstacles. This resource details the build process for the WT8WV "Colossus" air cannon antenna launcher, a pneumatic device designed to project a pilot line over elevated structures. It specifies the use of readily available PVC pipe components and standard hardware, outlining the exact materials required and providing step-by-step assembly instructions for a robust, low-cost solution. The article presents a practical alternative to traditional methods like slingshots, emphasizing the launcher's utility for Field Day operations and general antenna deployment. It includes a comprehensive list of parts, such as 2-inch and 1-inch PVC pipe, various fittings, a sprinkler valve, and a bicycle pump valve, detailing their integration into the final assembly. The total cost for materials is estimated at around $40 per unit, making it an accessible project for many radio amateurs. Crucially, the guide incorporates essential safety precautions for operating a pneumatic launcher, covering aspects like pressure management and projectile selection. It also features multiple photographs illustrating the construction phases and the completed device, offering visual clarity to aid builders in replicating the design.

The article offers practical guidance for setting up Field Day antennas, emphasizing the unpredictability and need for quick adaptations. It provides a comprehensive table of wire lengths for various bands and antenna types, using 1mm bare wire, in both metric and Imperial units. The author highlights the benefits of this table in saving time and reducing errors. While acknowledging potential variations due to construction and environmental factors, the article presents the table as a reliable starting point, with plans for future updates to include more bands and antenna types. This resource is valuable for ensuring efficient and accurate antenna setup during Field Day events.

A page with lots of pictures of John Moyle Field Day 2012 operating from 80 meters to 70 centimeters

Inverted L antenna, even if not completely freestanding, it only requires one line to be lauched into a tree to support the end of the horizontal wire. This project is done with a 31-foot Jackite pole for a support and uses six 15-foot radials and one 33-foot radial.

We are a group of amateur radio operators located in Northern Utah who enjoy exploring many aspects of the hobby from HF to VHF and beyond. We are active in many public service events, Field Day, APRS, packet, Winlink, contesting and more

This article is from the book Ham Radio For Dummies and features some tips for portable amateur radio operations, on Field Day or generic outdoor operation, like selecting the proper antenna and portable power.

The Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association (PPRAA) serves as an ARRL Special Service Club, providing a calendar of events and activities for its members and the wider amateur radio community. The resource details upcoming events such as the USS Pueblo Memorial Museum Ships Weekend activations, a Cubical Quad Antenna Workshop, LARCFest, and various hamfests including Dayton Hamvention and Duke City Hamfest. It also lists on-air activities like a FreeDV digital voice mode event on 10 meters, a Black Friday Simplex Event on 2M and 70cm, and a 10m event for Technician class operators, emphasizing SSB privileges from 28.300 to 28.500 MHz. The PPRAA's event schedule includes educational opportunities like a Technician Class and a Soldering Workshop, alongside social gatherings such as the PPRAA Picnic and Car Show. Past event summaries highlight successful activities like the 2024 Megafest Raffle, Winter Field Day, and multiple fox hunts utilizing frequencies like 147.420, 147.480, and 147.540 MHz. The club actively supports POTA activations, exemplified by their AF0S park activation at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and participates in historical commemorations like the USS Pueblo Memorial operations, demonstrating a broad engagement across various amateur radio facets.

A simple, portable logger tailored for activities like Parks on the Air, Field Day, and more. HAMRS is a fast, user-friendly logging program designed for portable ham radio activities such as POTA, SOTA, and ARRL Field Day. Developed by Jarrett Green, it features an intuitive interface optimized for small screens and multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, Ubuntu, Raspbian, iOS, and Android. HAMRS provides dedicated logging fields for portable operations, ensuring efficiency in the field. The desktop versions are free, while mobile apps require a small purchase. Its simplicity, cross-platform compatibility, and ease of use make it a valuable tool for amateur radio operators in portable settings.

Four _Headway 38120_ LiFePO4 cells form the core of an 8AH 12V battery pack, designed for reliable emergency and field power in amateur radio operations. These batteries offer significant advantages over traditional lead-acid types, including a lifespan up to **10x** longer in charge/discharge cycles, lower internal resistance for faster recharging, and a flatter discharge curve that maintains voltage stability during use. Their inherent safety, being a flame-retardant technology, makes them a preferred choice for portable applications. Proper configuration, including parallel/serial setups, and careful charging/discharging protocols are crucial for maximizing battery life. Each cell has a nominal voltage of 3.2 volts, with a maximum charge voltage of 3.65 volts. A Battery Management System (BMS) is highly recommended to prevent overcharging or deep discharging, safeguarding the cells. The project emphasizes safety, noting the batteries' high short-circuit capacity of **200 AMPS** and the critical importance of incorporating an inline fuse between the battery pack and the load. Components like the battery holder, buss bars, and a suitable case are also detailed.

Demonstrates a **Progressive Web App** (PWA) approach to amateur radio logging, providing a platform-agnostic solution for hams. The resource details its core functionality, including offline callsign and reference lookups, auto-formatting for data entry, and integration with **POTA spots** and saved re-spots. It highlights support for various logging templates such as General, Contest, POTA, and Field Day, indicating its adaptability for different operating activities. The application emphasizes seamless log synchronization across multiple devices, eliminating the need for manual file transfers. It operates effectively both online and offline, with installation options available for full offline functionality on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux, or direct use within any web browser. The documentation further outlines features like rig control and the continuous development of additional templates, positioning Smart Logger as a flexible and efficient tool for managing amateur radio contacts.

This article discusses the design and implementation of a 2-element wire beam antenna for the 20 meter band, suitable for field day operations with 4 Switchable Directions. The antenna is configured with sloped wires in an inverted V shape, with a specific design to achieve directional properties. The author tested the antenna design using MMANA and NEC2 software, based on a solution published in QST. Detailed diagrams and instructions are provided for constructing the antenna on top of a 12 meter mast, with specific wire lengths and positioning to ensure optimal performance. This resource is valuable for hams looking to build a directional antenna for the 20m band and improve their field day setup.

This is a theoretical look at propagation on 630-Meters and 2200-Meters using ray tracing software. It expands on the brief discussion in the ARRL Handbooks. The Earth's magnetic field affects 630-Meter and 2200-Meter band propagation. Lower ionization reduces absorption, aiding low-frequency propagation. Differences exist between bands, limited daytime sky-wave propagation. Sunrise/sunset show promise, yet mechanisms are unclear. Ducting possible at night in specific conditions. Negative ions enhance propagation. Inefficient antennas and high man-made noise are anticipated. Groundwave propagation is significant on 2200-Meters.

Ham2K PoLo is an android Portable Logger, Support for Parks On The Air (POTA), Summits On The Air (SOTA), Field Day, Winter Field Day, Worldwide Flora and Fauna (WWFF) and more. Fast and efficient yet fully-featured: QRZ.com name lookups, QSO Maps, offline data files, contact rates, duplicate warnings, POTA spots, search parks nearby or by name, etc.

Parks on the Air Canada page provides information about the popular Amateur Radio activity that involves operating portable radios from designated parks and nature reserves worldwide. The page presents the objectives of the program, lists over 400 national/provincial/territorial parks, and offers insights from Tracy McKim, VE3TWM, on low power communications and outdoor ham radio operation. It also includes links to YouTube channels with how-to videos on setting up portable stations, Field Day deployment, and POTA activation. Amateur radio operators interested in combining their love for radio with outdoor adventures will find valuable resources and learning opportunities on this page.

Tamiami Amateur Radio Club website provides information on club activities, membership, FCC license testing, special events, and participation in ARRL Field Day and Florida QSO Party. It also includes details on DMR technology and VE testing sessions. The club has been affiliated with ARRL since 1963 and operates a special event station at the Venice Shark's Tooth Festival annually.

RARS: Raleigh Amateur Radio Society meets monthly and has several regularly scheduled non-meetings. RARS has several repeaters, a large hamfest, field day participation, and many other activities.

The Lancaster & Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club is a general interest amateur radio group that offers monthly licensing exams, emergency communication activities, and social gatherings. They meet on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 am at the Fairfield County Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Lancaster, Ohio. Meetings are public and welcome anyone interested in amateur radio, electronics, and emergency communications.