Talk to Jeff Via Ham Radio

Jeff Johnson VK4XJJ

My amateur radio "rig" is a Yaesu FT-817 transceiver, working into a HVT-400B multi-band whip mounted on the roof rack of the Pajero. The FT-817 is a true QRP rig with a maximum power output of 5W when running on an external 12V supply.

All the antennas were provided by VK4ICE. Two multi-band whips (I have tuned one for 40m and the other for 80m). Two 6db co-linear UHF whips. Vehicle mounts to suit. And a balun and 4m RG58 coax feeder so that I can make either a 20m, 40m or 80m dipole. I will be experimenting with the dipoles when time permits. So far (day 8) it has been full on walking or spending the late afternoon flat on my back recovering:-). Today I feel almost human after 32km on relatively gentle undulating countryside.

The photos show me sitting in the driver's seat trying to juggle the radio, the mike and the log book. The other photo shows the whip on the Pajero roof rack.

he evening sched is at 5.30 pm on 7.045Mhz after I first make contact with VK4YGM, the Gympie Communications and Electronics Group at 5.25. They are acting as a primary contact each evening and will be filling out the QSL cards for me when I send through the contacts info.

At the end of the 40m sched I announce if I will be up on 80m or 20m at 6.30pm. So far I have had only a couple of goes at 80m on the whips without great success.

Primary Support
Gympie Communications & Electronics Group Inc