In his Bicycle Mobile on the HF Bands article (a free preview from the August 2020 issue of QST Magazine), Christian Bravo, W4ALF, discusses “an easy way to implement a mobile radio system, for the operator on two wheels.” 1
After experimenting with pedestrian mobile and being active with Summits on the Air (SOTA), I was looking for a new amateur radio challenge. My experiences with portable ham gear led me to the idea of adapting my mobile setup to fit on my bicycle. The two-wheel setup would allow me to be even more mobile, and still be able to communicate on the HF bands. 1
W4ALF’s article covers:
- The Radio Setup
- The Bike
- Mounting the Antenna
- Performance
The Mounting the Antenna section of the article goes into detail about W4ALF’s tapped coil shortened vertical antenna with a raised counterpoise, including a description of the Buddipole pieces used for the vertical.
In closing, W4ALF states:
Operating bicycle mobile is a fun way to get out and operate while getting some exercise. Gear today lends itself well to having a high-performing HF setup on the go with two wheels. My antenna system allows for more bands and radials while operating stopped at a location without having to hang antennas. I hope the ideas presented here spark your own mobile adventures and homebrew modifications. 1
“Bicycle Mobile on the HF Bands”, ARRL The national association for Amateur Radio, retrieved July 8 2020, http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/August2020/BRAVO!.pdf. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
