NOTOM 002: /M operations from IFF-0416, POTA IT-0872

WWFF and POTA operation 

On 10/19/24, I activated two references, IFF and POTA. The outdoor operations had a dual purpose: to connect two references and to test the setup I would use in case of an emergency. The station consisted of a Kenwood 480 and a vertical antenna that is 8.5 meters tall, covering the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10-meter bands with three radials for each band. I used a 45 A/h car battery. I decided to operate on the 40 and 20-meter bands. In two hours, I connected 25 stations. The vertical antenna works great for long distances but is not so optimal for short distances. On 11/10/24, I will return to the same location with a dipole.


Considerations:

 antenna setup time. 9:50 minutes. The homemade pole holder plate for supporting the antenna works very well; it is very sturdy. The choice of rigid cables for the radials was not a wise decision because laying out the rigid wires took me another 10 minutes. The radio was ready for operations in 8 minutes, making a total of 18 minutes to be operational, which is way out too long!


Thoughts and changes:

 replace the antenna with a dual-band dipole. An aluminum telescopic pole another 8 meters with a pulley to raise and lower the dipole. A second EFHW antenna with a UNUN 9:1. I need to find a way to power the PC because the battery lasts only 90 minutes. An inverter could be the solution. P.S. A thermos with hot coffee is necessary!

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