"Ring the bell once, set up the antenna, and lay down the ground network;
Ring the large bell twice, press the button to start the radio, check the standing wave ratio, and inject power.
Ring the bell three times, press PTT, and shout "CQ, praising the God of All Machines."
— A prayer offered by an unknown mechanical sage to appease the spirits of the machines in the former Anfu facility.
This article is compiled based on my personal experience with amateur radio, and I hope it can provide some help to new ham radio enthusiasts. It also discusses low-cost amateur radio solutions and important considerations that are suitable for students. While this article may not be very helpful to experienced hams who already have their own equipment and resources (as an assumption), I am relatively new to the hobby, so my experience is limited. Therefore, I welcome any corrections or additions from others.
I. Notable Items:
Battery
The power requirements for QRP radios are not high, so a few 18650 batteries should suffice. If the operating time is long, you can choose a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which generally has a small voltage drop during discharge, making it easier for the radio to fully utilize the battery power. However, it's best to keep it under 100Wh, as this is generally not allowed on high-speed trains. If it exceeds 100Wh, you should definitely avoid using any single battery pack that weighs more than 2kg, as SF Express will not deliver them. It will also be difficult to transport between home and school, especially since most university dorms cannot store large batteries due to safety concerns.
When choosing a voltage regulator to compensate for battery discharge, it's best to avoid using one. They can potentially generate significant radio frequency interference while in operation, and there have been reports (though I haven't personally experienced them) of voltage regulators causing complete power supply failures.
Plastic rope and scissors/utility knife:
The plastic rope I bought on Taobao, which comes in large rolls for a few yuan, is very useful for temporarily securing ends. It's also convenient because you don't have to worry about disposing of it after use; you can simply cut it off once you're done.
Screws and nuts
If the GP antenna base is connected to the ground using screws and nuts, it's best to have several extra sets of screws and nuts on hand. These small items are easily lost, and dropping one could completely ruin your initial setup.
Small folding stool
The "野架" (wild bench) can be placed on a public bench or at the edge of a flower bed, so it doesn't need to include a folding table. However, without a seat, people would have to sit on the ground, and it is best to include a folding stool.
Several slightly thicker plastic bags
It has a wide range of uses, from holding small items to protecting the radio console from dirt, to shielding it from light rain. It's definitely useful.
Insect repellent: Those who know understand – when the environment is bad, there are more mosquitoes killed by makeshift traps than those caught during a QSO.
Lighting: Adequate nighttime lighting is essential. The brightness of the 8-bulb USB lamp is sufficient. This is especially important for radios like G90S or G106C that have buttons without any illumination. Additionally, the lighting helps with mosquito control.
Silica gel dehumidifier: It's normal for radio equipment carried outdoors to get wet from rain or dew. Place a small amount of silica gel inside your radio case to keep it dry and protected.
II. Regarding the location of "野架":
Student organizations typically do not have their own vehicles, and the options for setting up a temporary stage are limited. Here are some key considerations:
① Pay attention to traffic: High traffic can lead to too many curious passersby, repeatedly requiring identification checks, which negatively impacts the communication experience. It is essential to avoid areas with high concentrations of children! It is essential to avoid areas with high concentrations of children! It is essential to avoid areas with high concentrations of children! For example, parks on Sundays are likely to have a large number of children, and there is a risk that they may touch the antenna playfully and be injured by RF current, which would be very unfortunate (shrug). I once had a child suddenly run up and grab my GP oscillator while I was using the radio (little devils!), but luckily, I hadn't pressed PTT at that moment and quickly realized it.
② "Minimize interference: 'Environment first, antenna second, radio third'." S7 noise is the lower limit for SSB voice communication; exceeding this level makes it difficult to communicate with even a 100-watt radio station.
③ Sun and rain protection: A gazebo in a relatively open green space is a good option. The overhead cover will greatly improve the summer hot sun environment and the outdoor experience during the rainy season in the south.
III. Regarding Antennas:
I previously purchased a set of 20-meter long, well-made, and durable feeders that could handle up to 100 watts. However, when I used them, I encountered problems. The two ends of the feeder needed to be fixed at relatively high positions, which was difficult to find in open areas. A common method was to throw a slightly weighted object attached to a rope onto a branch and then use the rope to pull up and secure the feeder. However, this method often resulted in the pulling object being blocked by leaves, significantly limiting the placement and height at which the feeder could be installed. This severely affected the efficiency of the feeder.
Later, following the advice of BD4VNU, I purchased a pole-mounted GP antenna. I found that the pole-mounted GP antenna was very flexible and efficient. It can be used almost anywhere where there is bare ground that can be anchored, even on the roof of an apartment building using a large pot as an anchor. Using a 5-meter pole-mounted GP antenna, I successfully made my first SSB contact in my amateur radio career.
After retracting the 5-meter rod, it is approximately 50 cm long, making it relatively portable. It can operate at frequencies of 14 MHz and above. After using the pull-out rods multiple times, one can even roughly remember how many rods are needed for each frequency band to resonate based on experience. If you need to use the 7 MHz band, you will need a 10-meter ground wire, and the oscillator must be equipped with a coil or replaced with a 10-meter oscillator. I recommend adding a coil and an extension rod of 50 cm directly, because the 10-meter pull-out rods are unstable and require wind ropes.
We welcome your contributions and corrections.
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