Portable VHF/2m operations can often be a challenge when range is required:

  • the standard rubber ducky is typically an average performance aerial;
  • the aerial typically suffers from lack of ground plane;
  • the aerial is often aligned with the operator’s body (face), hence impacting its propagation;
  • the aerial lacks elevation.

Here is a simple and economical portable set-up providing you do not have to run into the bush. Except from the length of the RG58 cable, all the components were picked up from the local council clean-up! The aerial is a ground independent coaxial dipole, often referred to as a flower pot aerial in the amateur world.

The back pack is made of a side of a 3 shelf trolley, the wheels have been removed. It is used up side down.

The dipole support is a 2 section 2m fiberglass fishing rod with the copper eyelets removed. The rod has been tested to ensure it didn’t have ferrous content. Without the eyelets, the top part can be inserted into the bigger section for transport/storage.

Finally, the straps have been recovered from a damaged boogie board bag.

The fishing rod is attached to the back-pack rack using the fishing spool attachment to a made-up bracket. Can be easily removed.

The setup is very light and can be dismantled to be carried to destinations in an small aircraft.

And finally, field testing!