Hammocks and Ham Shacks!

[BiskitznGravy]

I enjoy a cool weekend hammock trip into the woods like 99.9% of folks in here but recently I’ve married another hobby of mine into my hammock family adventures. I haul my “Big Rig” or my small packable Ham Radio kits with me. Powered by strong batteries and a good antenna signal I can usually easily hit VHF or UHF repeaters but the real magic happens when propagation lets you land a HF signal.

I know….nerd speak but I have found the combination of these two multiples my personal preference and experience enjoyment.

any other folks out there give that a whirl?

my “Big Bugout Rig” below! Home built/assembled. 👍

IMG_0190_Original.jpg

Brandon-KG5YKW.

[dscotthep]

I was planning to do a POTA activation with my QDX on a recent trip to the BWCA with my brother and our sons, but in the end I decided to leave it all at home and focus on spending time with my boys.

I still plan to give it a try at some point in the future, but nothing concrete is in the works yet.

Scott KC9HOZ

[richtorfla]

That's pretty cool. I never got a ham license . Back then never could do code enough to pass the test. I know you don't need it now. What kind of antenna is packable?
Like a handheld yagi?

[dscotthep]

What kind of antenna is packable?

A simple length of wire cut for the band you plan to operate in and thrown up in the nearest tree works fine. Of course there are lots of more complex (and costly!) options available too, but band choice dictates the overall size of your antenna and, thus, the amount of antenna you need to pack.

[Westex]

I do both along with a motorhome involved as well. I am also doing digital radio making for a multitude of options. Almost always able to get an ejnjoyable combination

[smkymtns]

Most of my ham radio operating is done in the great outdoors and quite often from a hammock. Here's my buddy Ryan-WG4I test driving the most comfortable hamshack in the world! Rig here is the Elecraft KX2 hanging from the ridge line. Looks like I was also rocking the Hardrock-50 amp that day so the antenna would have been an 88' doublet.


P1030042 by Patrick Harris, on Flickr

Heading out for a quick backpacking trip to the Roan Highlands this week to activate Roan High Knob, Grassy Ridge Bald and Hump Mtn for Summits on the Air. May activate RHK from the hammock but the other two summits aren't hammock friendly summits. I may use my hammock for a seat cushion though - will that count as a hammock supported activation?

73 de pat .-- .-- ...- -.. (ww4d)

[cougarmeat]

Is this the start of a new group - HOTA (Hammocks On The Air)?
cougarmeat/K7NHB

[smkymtns]

A simple length of wire cut for the band you plan to operate in and thrown up in the nearest tree works fine. Of course there are lots of more complex (and costly!) options available too, but band choice dictates the overall size of your antenna and, thus, the amount of antenna you need to pack.

Yep, antennas can be super simple and are fun to make. So many options out there for antennas! A lot of portable ops like an end fed half wave (EFHW) antenna and is what I use most of the time. This one is resonant on 40, 20 and 10 but I use it on other bands with a tuner with a lot of success. I added a link so it is also resonant on 17m to pair with my MTR 3-band radio (40, 20, 17). This one looks a little sad, but in its defense it has been used on hundreds of SOTA activations.

TF.jpg

And there are plenty of options for 2m antennas as well, which is an excellent option for new hams that want to get out and play radio. Yagis, Log periodics and verticals and wire antennas are all options. I use an extended 'rubber ducky' (full half wave) when mountain topping. You will get a letter better range with a directional antenna but I find it much simpler to use an omnidirectional antenna.

73, pat - ww4d

[smkymtns]

Is this the start of a new group - HOTA (Hammocks On The Air)?
cougarmeat/K7NHB

Count me in! I am still waiting for my first hammock to hammock QSO!

[MightyRock78]

I enjoy a cool weekend hammock trip into the woods like 99.9% of folks in here but recently I’ve married another hobby of mine into my hammock family adventures. I haul my “Big Rig” or my small packable Ham Radio kits with me. Powered by strong batteries and a good antenna signal I can usually easily hit VHF or UHF repeaters but the real magic happens when propagation lets you land a HF signal.

I know….nerd speak but I have found the combination of these two multiples my personal preference and experience enjoyment.

any other folks out there give that a whirl?

my “Big Bugout Rig” below! Home built/assembled. 👍

IMG_0190_Original.jpg

Brandon-KG5YKW.

Great to hear there are others among us who enjoy both hobbies. I am a QRP nerd and love hammocks. Will definitely be following along to see how many like minded people come out of the wood work.
73,
Jay KC9NJZ