I have just returned from taking part in the RaDAR (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio) event. The RaDAR event is a fun activity designed to test one’s ability to rapidly erect a small field station and to operate independently from normal power sources. Ideally the entire station must be transported by human power to the operating site.
I chose to use my homebuilt K2 transceiver a small 6AH SLA battery and a link dipole antenna. I operated both on CW and SSB. All the QSOs were made on 40M. For some reason most participants are hesitant to try the higher bands.
The event took place over 6 hours, but after 2 hours I had enough of sitting flat on the ground and decided to call it quits.
I did manage to make 34 QSOs, 28 SSB and 6 CW QSOs. There is something very special about working CW, whilst being outdoors.
I was hoping to make a few DX contacts on 10M, but my untested antenna seemingly had a high SWR and I did not want to subject the K2 to this. Pity, since the 10M band seemed to be alive with CW activity.
Had fun all the same….
Sid, ZS5AYC will be promoting this year's November challenge, in Australia.
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