Look Who it Was Random video

7 and 14 MHz QRP SSB pedestrian mobile

4,614 views · Published 14 December 2010 · 2:24 · Indexed 23 October 2026

Channel: Amateur Radio VK3YE · 2010 · Howto & Style

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Trying out 7 and 14 MHz pedestrian mobile from a local beach. 

The equipment was a Yaesu FT-817, home made whip antenna and 2 x 7.2v battery packs.  As can be seen from the shaky picture, there was a shortage of hands, especially when transmitting. 

Contacts were made within VK2 and VK3.  

Observations:  

* No increase in signals when walking (barefoot) through water compared to sand.  

* No increase in signals when trailing counterpoise is being pulled through water instead of sand. 

* The human body is too small to have much effect as a counterpoise on frequencies such as 7 MHz. 

* The optimum counterpoise length varies, with it most important to get a good match to the transceiver.  A tuned counterpoise might help. 

* Contrary to popular opinion, being right near the water doesn't always provide the best signal.  Going (say) 100m inland may help, especially if there's a bit of height.   For example, a later 40m contact to VK2 (approx 1000km distance) reported much better signals when elevated off the beach, eg standing on a pile of rocks.  

The final contact for the afternoon was on 10m FM, through a repeater.  500mW was enough to access VK3RHF, which is about 30km distant across generally flat land.

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