This is a website dedicated to one of my hobbies, Amateur radio. In particular I want to share one area of the hobby I really enjoy, portable operating. My other outdoor interests go well with amateur radio, namely camping, bushwalking, cycling and 4WDing. I include radio with all these activities for several reasons, enjoyment, safety and the fact that it tests my skills, ingenuity and makes me a better and more efficient radio operator. Above all, I find it fun.
The main realisation to me from portable HF radio operating is that high transmitting power is simply not needed. The biggest limiting factor I have found with HF radio is the level of background RF noise and interference when receiving. This problem plagues us all to some extent in the urban environment with interference from powerlines, computers, lighting systems, power inverters, switch mode power supplies, pager systems, the list simply goes on and on. The ability to hear the other station is the main key to success, not the ability to transmit with 100 watts output or more. I find the easiest and most enjoyable way to reception noise is to simply move away from the sources of interference and go portable.
The main realisation to me from portable HF radio operating is that high transmitting power is simply not needed. The biggest limiting factor I have found with HF radio is the level of background RF noise and interference when receiving. This problem plagues us all to some extent in the urban environment with interference from powerlines, computers, lighting systems, power inverters, switch mode power supplies, pager systems, the list simply goes on and on. The ability to hear the other station is the main key to success, not the ability to transmit with 100 watts output or more. I find the easiest and most enjoyable way to reception noise is to simply move away from the sources of interference and go portable.
