114 Miles on 2M Simplex :: Elk Log Periodic

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Great Video, and show & tell of an antenna. back in the early 70's we had to drag out gas op gen. to run base sets or 3-4 lead acid batts for short time operating on Mt tops. sota/pota was not even a thought back then we called it "Hilltopping" great fun but a lot of hard work. I am in awe of today's rigs antennas for going "Hilltopping or even just at parks etc. glad to see that part of the hobby excell so much thanks for sharing de Ellis WA!RKS

[@mntalyAceptable]

We were hearing ya really well on Oswald Dome. Just couldn't get back to ya with the antenna we were using.

[@va7dgp]

JS8Call is every Sunday 10:00 Pacific to about 18:00 here in the Vancouver BC area. VA7CZ is usually on with some other locals. I'd be on but have no SSB equipment

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Heck yes man. Tried some 2m SSB QRP the other day. Great video mate.

[@denniskimrey4129]

Made my first JS8Call on 2 meters. From SW MO to North Mo. Was very surprised

[@SQ5TK]

thank you for distances in km - this makes my life much easier

[@KM4ACK]

I try to remember that we are about the only country that uses miles instead of km. Thank Siri for the conversions :-)

[@SQ5TK]

@@KM4ACK People in UK sometimes can't decide which way they measure ;) anyways thank you once again.

[@rogerlafrance6355]

That's a good start for working long haul VHF. I have not looked them up for a long time but, they are at their best a ham community who like to work troposcatter, meteor scatter, knife edge and such 400 to 800 miles, some times further and do even some moonbounce. A typical station has quad 11 element beams, a tower mounted preamp and the better part of a legal limit amplifier, which few VHF hams own. You don't need all that to get started and listen to weak signals, just know when their there. Still, mountain topping is still great sport running all modes and great for the VHF QSO party and such. Mt. Mitchell is a great place as are others and now you don't even have to pack a generator on your back to run all that tube gear! Now, between the internet and calling out on the many repeaters you can hit, you can ask them to meet you 144.050 SSB for a point. Also, there are programs on the web that will show you if you have line of sight to places you wan to work, but, that's too easy!

[@GeorgeAdams]

I bought this antenna yesterday. Good timing. 😃

[@KM4ACK]

You will love it!

[@Chris_KS5KY]

Makes me want to swap out my Ringo Ranger for my 7 element beam even more. During Christmas day with the help of a preamp, I was able to hear a Franklin, TN repeater from Bowling Green, KY. I thought then that with the beam I might not need the preamp but with the beam and preamp, I'd probably hear further than I could talk. Thank you for all you do in your research and experiments and putting the videos out. 73, KD5BFF.

[@andyseymour889]

Some great simplex action there with that directional antenna nice work on a frigid morning !

[@Fix_n_Fly]

Enjoyed this one. Always like to experiment. Very sharp video.

[@b.w.13]

Wilderness protocol!

[@JosephVE3GKT]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jason! I'd love to see the terrain paths for your contacts. Maybe I'll look them up tomorrow. I've been playing a bit with 2m simplex myself and found it to be quite a bit more forgiving with terrain than I expected! Also, thanks for showing the measurements in metric units! 73 de VE3GKT

[@WJ6FRadio]

Outstanding video! the Elk Antenna is an outstanding antenna and I have made some great simplex contacts with mine as well as hitting those hard to reach repeaters!

[@yardsale781]

Thank you

[@MM0XET]

I regularly get 500 miles plus during 2m UKAC activity nights. 50w Ft-857 and 7 element tonna antenna at around 240m

[@walshgeo]

I have the same elk river periodic antenna and it performed really well for me. I could hit a repeater about 5o miles from my house and also used it for simplex contacts. 73 KB3WAQ George

[@cappaculla]

Well done Jason !!

[@markspoo6637]

Hey Jason can you do a quick video on your temp mast and mounting on the front your jeep?

[@KM4ACK]

For this video I was using plastic conduit pipe from the local hardware store. I won't be using it again unless I have no other options. It was too flimsy to support the antenna. I had another section that I wanted to add to it and gain another 5 feet but it bent over too far when added. I think I have a better solution. If it works out, I'll cover it in a future video.

[@Scott11B]

Very impressive

[@jlibertyparks8160]

I get full signal from St Mt. repeater. In my vehicle and at home. I’m in Gallatin.

[@KM4ACK]

The .91 repeater has a great footprint in middle Tennessee :-)

[@Hero1395]

I can occasionally hear the 6.91 repeater (which I believe is on short mountain) from Petersburg Indiana FYI

[@KM4ACK]

Yes. The 91 is on short mountain and is a great repeater.

[@ai7et904]

OMG, I am moving to Middle TN in April, hope the snow melts!

[@KM4ACK]

This was a rare event and it is totally gone just a few days later :-)

[@KA4UPW]

We do that every day here in flat Florida. 2M-SSB!

[@kj4dwx]

I was mobile in Madison AL em64 and heard you on .52 simplex. But not strong enough to make contact.

[@KM4ACK]

Maybe next time :-)

[@Aussat]

Very cool.

[@chrissewell1608]

Pretty cool stuff. I love making random contacts, on my radios. That is how we make friends, in Ham Radio. (It seems like the "Old Farts", in my local club, hate it when someone calls out for CQ. They act like you are screaming Breaker, Breaker 19, Good Buddy! And that radio snobbery, just pisses me off, to no end!)

[@JeffSkymaster]

I also own a Pair of these Antennas Base and Portable.VHF and UHF all in one with Amazing Receive, light Wt and packable with a carry bag.Would not be without it.Super video by the way 73 from KJ7JYJ Jeff

[@n9go]

That's very cool! I own both an Arrow II and Elk Log for Satellite comms from EM65. Might try this sometime with another person someday.

[@KM4ACK]

We are super close to one another. Close enough that we might be able to work 2M simplex :-)

[@n9go]

@@KM4ACK That would be neat! Are you a part of the Stones River Amateur radio club?

[@KM4ACK]

Yes sir. I am a member.

[@n9go]

@@KM4ACK Awesome. I just signed up at the most recent meeting and will be at the Field Day event at Sharp Springs park with my satellite stuff.

[@KM4ACK]

I belong to two local clubs so I usually do FD in Cannon county on Saturday and come by Sharp Springs Sunday

[@josephdupree6895]

Just curious is it possible to do js8call or some other digital on 2meter fm, not SSB?

[@KM4ACK]

Yes sir. It's not designed for FM so your mileage may vary kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5DXloiOhMl1iZI

[@Robert_Plunkett]

Heard you on simplex calling freq in Smyrna after activating POTA in the morning.

[@henrycross8776]

How many watts was your max Po ? 73

[@iPigee]

Awesome!

[@ryanzink5048]

Maybe you covered it and I just missed it but what rig were you using? It seems like VHF/UHF all mode transceivers are kinda rare, even though SSB can go further than FM so it's a cool mode.

[@KM4ACK]

I was using a Yaesu 857D. Having 2M SSB on that rig is one of the reasons I haven't sold it.

[@n4csgchris389]

you coming back to the Sevierville hamfest in march

[@KM4ACK]

I want to but it depends on if the day job schedule will allow.

[@shawn5928]

I heard u you well on simplex south of the Tennessee River in central north Alabama. EM64MN De AD4SB

[@KM4ACK]

Did you try to reply? BTW....I grew up in Florence. Still have family in North Alabama.

[@shawn5928]

@@KM4ACK I did try, but didn’t make it. I was on a 50 watt radio into a GP-9. My brother lived in Florence for a long time. I am in Priceville, just east of Decatur.

[@celesthodge]

pretty cool, my cousins (about 17 of them) live out that way, i have a farm on Petersburg Tn, i can’t wait to get my set up, up here. (i just got my license 04/03/21, and got my callsign 04/05/21) anyways, great video! KO4PBD

[@KM4ACK]

Congrats on getting your ticket!

[@albing1397]

Was everyone using the same polarity antenna? Normally non FM work is done with horizontal polarization. WA9RYO

[@KM4ACK]

To the best of my knowledge, we were all using the same polarity. Vertical for FM and horizontal for SSB

[@RandyUpchurch]

Jason I live on a ridge in Hamilton County north of Chattanooga. I would like to try and make an SSB contact sometime. N4NOM

[@k2cjbradio]

Excellent! Thanks for posting! 73 de K2CJB

[@RB9522]

Just point your VHF antenna at those towers in the background and get even wider coverage!

[@KM4ACK]

😂

[@billryland6199]

SSB uses horizontal polarization, not vertical. Sounds like you started with horizontal.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes. I was using horizontal for SSB but changed to vertical for FM contacts.

[@markg6jvy135]

👍👏👏

[@ethan073]

👋

[@joeblow8593]

You'd probably get out several hundred miles at 2000 ft on SSB under good conditions

[@KM4ACK]

I plan to attempt this again in the future.

[@InternetGoldMiner]

done over 300 miles on a pair of horz loops for 2 meters.. Not that hard or nothing spectacular...

[@timk7749]

I guess that depends on where you are. Here on the plains of Montana where from atop a mountain I can easily see 200miles would make it a hell of a lot easier than in Tennessee where you can't. And your loops aren't all that special either, I've made 220 mile contacts into SPACE with a 19" whip, so you see it's all relative. 73 de KF7VUT

[@SmokeSignalsRF]

Fun video...Nice job! Don W1FYG