Home Handheld 10 Meter SSB fun: Cali Winter Style

[Moleculo]

Southern California has the worst traffic, high taxes, unaffordable real estate and whacky politics. But it also has the best weather. I had free time today, so I decided to drive down to Belmont Shore and play 10 Meter SSB during the ARRL contest.

I brought the Elecraft KX2, an internal battery, the AX2 whip antenna, and a counterpoise wire. The mic is just a cheap flexible PC mic I got off of ebay. Sitting on the dock, I stripped a little of the sheath off the tail of the counterpoise to expose the bare wire and dropped it into the salt water.

With the KX2 power set to 10 watts, I worked contacts all over the country, Hawaii, into Argentina and even Curacao. The band was just wide open and because the contest was active, stations were happy to dig me out when necessary. I mentioned what I was doing to stations that I could tell were a little more casual (hard core contesters hate chit chit); they were repeatedly amazed at how well this worked.

Watching the swimmers, paddle boarders, kids fishing, and boats going by, while playing ham radio in December I just knew I had to share the moment.

Enjoy!

 

[doffo]

Nice! It is in the works of getting something portable to go setup wherever we go. For now its just a Ten Tec Scout 555 but that is not as portable lol. Im sure something will come along, but your radio is a great one.

 

[Crawdad]

Glad you had a enjoyable day! Great set-up.

Just more proof that hundreds of watts are not required to reach thousands of miles. Just an efficient antenna and the right MUF.

7 3

 

[BayouRadioAmplifier]

I was sending out some "brag" videos and pictures to my
"peeps" yesterday also. was messing around on 10 meters.
29 MHz AM.
but was nice outside, walking around, drinking beer in my
short sleeves on Dec. 15 Too nice to play on the radio
inside my house.
.

.


you said: "Southern California has the worst traffic, high taxes, unaffordable real estate and whacky politics."

Yes, I was born in L.A. (in Hollywood as a kid)
been in and out of So Cal. lived in "The O.C." "The Valley"
"H.B. Surf City" etc....
I tried to "escape" a few times, but always went back
since I had family there, and there were jobs.
But I think I finally escaped! out here on Bayou Lafourche
in southern Louisiana 15 years ago.
I sent videos of speeding boats and personal watercraft
going by in the bayou in my backyard to my friends in So Cal.

they all asked "how did you afford that waterfront property!"
with plenty of room to put up antennas. no HOA rules.
.

.
you said: "I mentioned what I was doing to stations that I could tell were a little more casual (hard core contesters hate chit chit)"

yes, I hate them contesters! and most nets. years ago I checked into
The OMISS Net. there was a guy in a town that I used to live in.
I started to chat with him about it, but net control came on and said "No!"
wait your turn after the net. etc...

and during contests I will say "no contesters please! I do not know
my grid square"

 

[Klondike Mike]

Hmph! This bear has already gone into hibernation mode. Wake me up when its over.

 

[Pez]

Thats awesome. I think 10m SSB on a handheld is the most fun you can have with your pants on. hihi

73