Portable

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I found myself with a great deal of time to play radio. Unfortunately over the years the local noise from various electronics in my neighbourhood have got NOISY!

I suffer from anything between S6 – S9 of noise, even with my Shack “off the grid” there inst a vast improvement. After a lot of research across the internet and trying many different options, from filters to different antenna designs, I decided to throw my efforts into making a compact portable setup, for when I was eventually allowed back out!

2E0RDJ/P was born!

ICOM 706 MKIIG to cover all HF, 50MHz, 144MHz & 430MHz. And my Macbook Pro which boasts a 10hour battery life for the logging! and ofcourse, not forgetting my parents camping table which I have borrowed 🙂
Inverted-V Dipole for 20M, Along with an Antron 99 for 10M & 11M – Yes, 11M! with the recent allocation of SSB to the EU CEPT frequencies there are some great opportunities to work even more stations!! Before I was licensed I was actually a regular user of CB Radio. You’ll still find me there now! Radio is Radio!

Pictured is my Friend Keown who is new to the hobby. Enjoying a bit of CB Radio! We’ve both been able to get on air, whilst obeying social distancing! I’ve been working 20M from my Van whilst he’s been working 11M from his!

My Local spot is 215m ASL, almost 200M higher than my Home QTH. With a noisefloor of… Well… What noise floor? I’m in the middle of no where!

The Mobile Shack – Obviously I’ve already talked about the radio gear. Now lets look at the Power source. I am lucky to have 2x 70AH 12v Batteries. I’ve hooked these up in parallel to Give Me 140AH Which is dedicated for the radio and nothing else!

A Few people have asked about the Strip light. The 12V LED strip is simply One meter of 5050 14.4w LED tape. I am lucky enough to have left over from a job, some excursion & diffuser. The LED strip is fed from the van battery. Of-course with it only being 14W I shouldn’t have to worry for a good few hours about the van battery!