Five Insanely Great Ham Radio Portable Operation Accessories

[@jolebole-yt]

I got all of the accessories in this video with the exception of the volt meter. They are all super useful accessories of you operate in the field. Thanks Michael

[@richarde735]

the short RJ45 jumper for the FT-891 is a great idea! certainly better than damaging the mic cord itself.

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

Great tips. This is my favorite ham radio channel. It is straightforward, all the tips are based on hands on experience and last but not least: honest! Thanks.

[@brianhall137]

I like the flag brace idea for car portable setup. There should be a way to drill/tap or pin with a roll pin to keep the vertical shaft from rotating.

[@BradSnyder1]

A lot of those items are on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing them Michael! 73

[@TXLorenzo]

I like 3d printed winders for my arborist line and ground wire radials for my vertical antenna. I also make custom bags for all the wires, etc... to keep things organized.

[@souta95]

I use the base from a standing (pedistal) fan as an antenna support. I ran coax thru the tube to an SO-239 that I clamped to the top, then put my OPEK HVT-400B on the SO-239, and then run a radial off of the four screw holes that are on the SO-239 connector.

[@MayhemRv]

Several years ago I bought your 2 meter folded J-pole. Swr is good across the band.

[@LEEGOODRICH]

Thanks!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thank you for your support. I really appreciate it.

[@samgraham6355]

New KB9VBR video! Let's go!

[@bigfranksworld]

Excellent. That CAT6 extension should come in handy now that I have some good earphones. Thanks Michael! Frank K6WI

[@Kinetic79]

Great video. I encourage everyone that can to support through Patreon, as the video library is really a trove of useful and easy to apply advice. I have personally put up an end fed halfwave in the trees for POTA and was having trouble making contacts… I then decided to set up the 17’ whip vertical with homemade counterpoises similar to what Michael uses for 20m (no loading coil required-tho sometimes I do add an extension arm to bring it over 18’ to get an even better resonance match on 20m) … and I scored both DX-Europe P2P, California P2P and Caribbean P2P contacts for POTA from Pennsylvania on it-in addition to countless others. The steel base for the ‘feather flag’ thing is a new one for me … I haven’t used it yet, but an alternative is a Dirt Tamper (heavy, flat cast iron base… with a thick, wooden handle that sticks straight up from the base) which can be used on flat ground and in a park parking lot. I picked one up for about $25 and the cheapest of the cheap hardware stores sometimes have them in stock.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

I have the RigExpert Stick Pro and the form-factor of it makes it great for portable operation! 73!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The Stick is an amazing little analyzer, totally worth the cost.

[@sphexes]

Thank Michael. You inspired me to use the Jaw Clamp and Aborist Bag. I wanna get a RJ-45 for my Ft-857d. Thanks for the info and the good Wisconsin warmth.

[@JulietNovember9]

I purchased pretty much everything on this list except the analyzer. I have a nanoVNA. The 891 extension is a total necessity for my go bag. Thank you for your experience! 73

[@HamAround23]

Me too I origionally saw the video and ordered the flag base for my vertical setup but then came back and ordered the throw bag and the extension as it's almost a necessity for me as well because I can switch between a heil bm17 or the hand mic without taking the front end off as I feel doing that to many times might damage it.

[@JulietNovember9]

@@HamAround23 Completely agree with that concern. I'm getting a tight fit with the faceplate on mine though. It works and was inexpensive and I guess I'm not switching out anymore. (clarification, I didn't own any of this stuff before this video. HA!) 73!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you Michael for this video, I just ordered the CB clamp mount from your link.

[@richarde735]

i was looking on the Amazon site for the flag base and they had a second one that included a water bag that sits on top for more weight.

[@btmacdou]

Spotted the snow machine... Activating on a ski slope! 🙂

[@N2YTA]

Michael, thanks for the excellent video. I already have four of the five items, and I'll be ordering the Rigexpert Stick soon!

[@vaq130]

Really great tips, I like the Jaw Clamp a lot, will get that ! I do carry the AA-55 much bigger but does the job really well, K7OMD 73 and "see you on the radio"

[@thork0tjt515]

Great video Michael! Thanks and 73

[@brianrose2487]

Great pro tips and suggestions! Thinking about the AA35 zoom but may look at the 230 closer. Thank you

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've got a review on the Stick 230 if you want to see more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX2Yk5huZ6qZobc

[@brianrose2487]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I appreciate your reply. A congratulations to you and your family!

[@HamAround23]

Really great video I actually had some of the things already. I just ordered that flag brace, that's exactly what I was looking for because I built my own wolf river coil using a loading coil I 3d printed and a mfj1979 17ft whip.

[@JayN4GO]

Thanks Mike

[@Rich_Pierik]

Thanks for the ideas!

[@TomtheDilettante]

Great stuff as always. Thank you! I'm finally looking to get into POTA myself and tips like these are really helpful for considering what to bring along. Keep up the great work! 73 de N9JDI.

[@stanleyj9416]

Awesome video, very helpful. Thank you

[@mpgrenda]

OK, I'm going to be done with searching for the perfect rock every time I'm putting up a wire. An arborist throw bag...great!

[@dougdaniels]

RJ-45 extension is a great idea, and not just for the 891. Have you noticed (or been told of) any audio degradation on transmit?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've been using the cable for more than a year, and consistently receive good audio reports. I'd say that the cable doesn't affect your audio quality at all.

[@DonzLockz]

Good tips, I need to check them out.🍻🤓

[@ai5dd]

Thanks for the video, I appreciate the insight. I really like the RJ45 dongle idea, that works great for me since I use the Portable Zero side rails and have to remove them to get the head unit off. The "Wolf River" antenna you use is similar to the Chameleon CHA MPAS Lite which I use, it uses a stake to setup the vertical 17' whip and 4:1 transformer.

[@truckinguy92]

I believe it’s actually a 5:1 transformer.

[@onewolf3750]

Great video quality! New camera?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The camera I'm using, the Panasonic Lumix GH5MkII, has been my primary camera for about a year now. I've been doing some subtle changes to my lighting which is what you may have noticed.

[@45auto]

Good stuff, Michael. U-rah-rah

[@tonyd6884]

Great info thanks!

[@edschroer613]

I ordered the rj45 connector that you have listed. I'm not sure if they changed the construction, but it doesn't fit my 891 and allow me to put the head back on. It is within millimeters in length as the Heil adapter for the hard part.

[@davewhite7679]

I have a very small cross needle "Power/SWR" meter that I consider an indispensable accessory for activating. I put it on the output of the rig for constant visual confirmation that all is well. Unfortunately my little Daiwa model has been discontinued, but MFJ still sells a similiar model for about $80. KZ9V

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Cross needle meters like that often show up at hamfests. It's something to be on the lookout for.

[@Bayou_State_Outdoors]

I can see where the canvas throw bag would be nifty but no way I’d trade it for me slingshot and 2oz lead fishing weight.

[@stevenvoller911]

So, right after you mentioned the jaws can clamp onto a BBQ grill, you said it could clamp onto stakes. With the grill still in mind, I heard “steaks”! Momentarily, I envisioned them clamped onto a raw steak!

[@timmanwell2538]

Michael, GREAT vid as always. I'd be curious what you recommend for great coax cable ties? Do you prefer using something velcro-ish, or silicon-twist type, or something entirely different??? 73, Tim

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I use velcro wraps on my cables. I haven't moved to the twist-type wraps, but I have tried out Bongo-Ties and like them for what they are.

[@bradgreenwood2588]

Question on the jaw mount. Wondering if there needs to be a pvc ring between the antenna mount and the jaw mount. Mine doesn’t have one and I see some people taking about shorting if you don’t use one.

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice.................

[@a2phil]

Somehow I thought this was a video about grounding...but that's ok...now I gotta figure out how to afford half that stuff!!

[@hamprepper]

nice rat tail wish i could rock one

[@dorelx3541]

Do you have a working link for the "Cross brace for feather flags"? It seems the link is broken and seels something else now.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Links change, but this one should work for the feather flag base: amzn.to/44PPZdb

[@dorelx3541]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Is there a reason my reply keeps getting deleted? I'm not posting anything bad, just stating how that link behaves in relation to what I asked.

[@timbookedtwo2375]

Can you believe it? WIMO (a German radio gear outlet) wants 91 Euros plus shipping for this jaw mount!!! It's much cheaper for me to order from the US and pay shipping and customs duty.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's crazy

[@timbookedtwo2375]

@@KB9VBRAntennas i ordered from us. 41 euros including shipping and customs for greece. wimo and other radio gear suppliers in europe must think we radio amateurs have bottomless pocket books and don‘t care about costs. i‘n retired and my pension dloesn‘t allow silly spending sv0sgs

[@robertvarner9519]

👍👍👍👍

[@frankwc0o]

Unfortunately, for the RJ45 extension for a FT-857, didn't work :/. It's too tight. You would think it would work. Has anyone had any success with it on a FT-857?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's strange considering the FT-857 uses the same 8 pin hand mic as the FT-891. I'll have to consult a friend of mine who has an 857, otherwise maybe the plug on the extension is out of spec?

[@frankwc0o]

@@KB9VBRAntennas The RJ 45 just sticks out a bit and I can’t slide in the face. Would be great to see if anybody else is having that issue. Thank you.

[@thompo9278]

buy an inexpensive musician's speaker tripod, they are heavy, wide and amazingly cheap compared to a photo tripod

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I would agree. Photo tripods are lightweight and very tippy. There are models with adjustable legs that you can splay out, but they aren't cheap. I've got a couple of Manfrotto tripods with that feature.

[@ryanjones9305]

Ok Michael, I’m questioning your Wisconsin pride.....two of those items should’ve been a six pack of local beer and some cheese curds....cmon man!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's usually a stop on the way home after an activation. I've been known to keep a growler in the car in case I run into a microbrewery.

[@ryanjones9305]

@@KB9VBRAntennas ok, faith restored.

[@MayhemRv]

Leinenkugels?😊

[@ryanjones9305]

@@MayhemRv don’t ask stupid question, Mayhem.....OF COURSE ITS SOME LEINIES!! Sheesh. .....unless it’s some spotted cow......extra credit for that one.

[@MayhemRv]

@@ryanjones9305 you can keep the cow 🙂 Leinenkugel! a brewing legend since 1867!

[@laszlokovacs8827]

Arborist throw bag - $13.95. Or just fill that empty water bottle rolling around around in the back seat with sand or dirt, whatever, string paracord through the neck and let 'er rip. $0. RJ-45 dongle - No FT-891 should be without one. Indispensable item.

[@demorestautosport]

Good stuff Michael! Thank you! KE8QPI

[@CrittendenIV]

Michael, you are such an inspiration! Thank you for all your expertise!! KJ7NUX

[@turtlecreek4633]

73! w3rrm

[@donaldanderson3366]

Most parks have rules about attaching anything to trees

[@TheBubbaMan]

Nice! Great info! Thanks for doing this! 73! de KB5TSI

[@ronmckay3898]

sorry got to run, 73 va7mwr thanks