Ham Radio Camper Caravan | Part 1

The Ham Radio Camper Caravan Trailer is finally here. In this video we install some solar panels, drill and install some power cables for our solar panels, test a telescopic mast with 80 meter off center fed dipole, ran some winlink and FT8 sessions, before discussing the future of this portable ham radio project.
73
Julian oh8stn
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[@edward9337]

It would be nice to have a part 2, 3 and 4. One showing a camper tour, another showing the radio and antenna setup and the 3rd one showing the power setup. Nice video. Looking forward to more episodes of the camper. 73

[@mikemcdonald5147]

agreed definitely would like to see more about this and how its all put together. Looks great. Wanting to do something similar here with a camper trailer I have,

[@mobiltec]

Here in the states we call them Vintage Travel Trailers. I restore them. I have a 1969 Siesta that I have been using for off grid Ham Radio. I installed mouints for a 30 foot flag pole mast. Also have some Black Widow carbon fiber poles like the DX Engineering ones only they are cheaper when they are called Fishing Poles. LOL... $30 for the fishing pole model.

[@Swamp-Fox]

I like what you are doing with this. I vote for the power system install next.

[@thequarantinecatholic]

What a pleasant surprise to open up this video to enjoy my morning coffee! I am rocking that Xiegu G90 thanks to you!!!! Waiting for my K9SAB 20m 100 watt to arrive [again thanks to your rec]!!! Your videos always bring joy to my day! Props on your new "The Ham Radio Camper Caravan Trailer" You rock Julian!!! That camper is about to get spoiled - we all know it!!!

[@michaelcase8231]

That's a great emergency communications mobile post you have there. Since you started out with the power systems, you might as well finish that up before heading to the radio and antenna setups for this project. Also, great that as an alpine model it should make it comfortable during a winter storm, or at least manageable.

[@youkilt]

Excellent video, my vote for part 2 would be the power management. In my opinion, it would be a logical progression in the series. Part 3 could be radio and antenna details. 73, KC1IKA

[@clintga912]

Continue with both! The solar and power would be great to see next.

[@Indigenous_Patriot_1175]

Can’t wait to see the upcoming parts . It’s giving me some great ideas

[@turdferguson2863]

Much easier than driving tent stakes!

[@Bill-HRT]

Glad to have someone to grab ideas from! Working on a similar project. I like what you've done. See you out there. 73 de Bill @Bill-HRT

[@womblenz8698]

Looks like it is a caravan made in New Zealand! If so it must have an interesting overland journey from ZL land to OH8!

[@nicklane1897]

Look forward to seeing what you come up with for mast and antenna deployment with the camper shack. I fabricated a hitch mounted tip over/telescoping 25' mast with guy wire system.

[@ugsisr]

Nice Job....Lots of Solar input for the one Battery...Though the Battery is high capacity... Very Nice

[@sgthoskins]

Great video leatherneck. Looking forward to more in this series.

[@RESlusher]

That looks awesome, Julian! At some point I figure I'm gonna have to get maybe a small "teardrop" type trailer! I'm definitely interested is seeing more about the planned off-grid setup! 🤠

[@ke8mattj]

This is perfect! Looks like a perfect bugout TOC!

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Nice!!!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks!

[@FreddyNietzsche.]

Keep it up Julien, this is going to be a very interesting series.

[@chrisborona5063]

You, are a genius..

[@janpieterkraaijer7609]

Please zoom in on the power supply setup. But eitherway it is always very informative and inspiring. '73

[@jhlewis10]

Nice, the older the camper the more likely it is built better. New ones are not built very well, especially when travelling the backroads that shake it apart. My flexible solar panel died, and was replaced under warranty, have a backup 300w folding panel I lay on the ground now.

[@charlierumsfeld6626]

Thank you. I like everything you do. I vote for power installation.

[@Kd4jwf2024]

Great worl as always...still looking for my silver bullet camper. So many abandoned ones around the lakes yet they don't want to sell

[@stevesummersell3068]

I’m gonna share this with Glam Ham 💃🏼📻

[@gabrielguzmann1ufo905]

I LIKE, I LIKE!!!!

[@jsm136]

Another well done video, excellent content for us radio nerds. I like where this is going. I vote for power management.

[@user-jc6bu3om1x]

Very nice!!! Thanks for sharing! Love the channel!

[@TLH290]

This is a great idea! Keep it up hoss, Semper Fi.

[@markw.4679]

COOL 😎 🖖

[@SavageAirguns]

This is awesome

[@HakanKrakan]

Tack!

[@modavaux]

Looks great! Looking forward to future videos.

[@jamesmihalcik1310]

Looking awesome!

[@russellgaudin5981]

Interesting series. Thank you for sharing.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Really cool! Wish I could do something like that. I would tend to go for the power installation, but I would also like to see the antenna setup, as well.

[@Corpsvett]

Jealously overwhelms me. I would thoroughly enjoy having a project like yours. Keep up the great work. I will wait for the next update, thanks!

[@randlecarr3257]

3M 3200,4200, 5200 are also excellent adhesives. Careful w 5200 you will NEVER get it off your substrate without damaging the substrate.

[@JonCherba]

I've been wanting to do something like this for so long. I'm working on getting my pickup more setup for offgrid amateur radio.

[@BrooksBarrow]

Great stuff! Camper trailers are way underrated. Will be cool to see how you outfit it over time.

[@steveehabibi1]

Can't wait to see the first outing, Make it epic!

[@wildlandoutdoors51]

I look forward to future videos. Id take it step by step. Video 2 should be a continuation of the power and wiring setup. Then the radio and antenna setup. Already sent this to my brother, who just brought home his camper for this purpose.

[@ahmedrasoul6674]

Congrats and well done. Neat and nice unit!

[@yv6eda]

Great project Julian!

[@chrissewell1608]

You might even consider a small TV / DVD player. Just to stay connected to local weather and radar too! Plus it adds some entertainment for the pup, when its bed time!

[@jamescopeland5358]

Great video thank you

[@99Victor]

Keep it going. I hope to build something like that in the future.

[@lavenderlilacproductions]

This is great, Julian. Looking forward to the whole series. More on the power set up would be my choice for the next video.

[@oherrala]

I might run a bead of adhesive to the edge of the solar panels to really glue it into the roof so when driving it doesn't catch air under it, start flapping and tearing itself apart.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for that tip. Got it done 👍

[@larrygrigar3793]

A HAM Camp! Awesome! That's exactly what I want to do I'm inspired by your new endeavor. Keep on keeping on Julian, I'm loving your life's experiences.

[@richgroh8167]

Love your videos I keep learning all the time. Do yourself a favor and check your tires. Anything more than five years old should probably be questioned. Also I want to do a quick shout out to Power Film, Solar. Seth Hanson part of customer service went out of his way to take care of a small warranty claim. Incredible service was delivered. You can’t go wrong with power film. N9hox Rich 11:46

[@wildbill1]

Fantastic!

[@cryptokev1759]

Thanks for for video been looking forward to your mobile rig in action!

[@EasyMac308]

I vote for power next.

[@The_Last_Post]

That AI image is ace, it would look awesome if you could paint it just like that 👍

[@beesboys]

your a cool guy if your ever in the desert of utah it would be fun to go camping with you

[@toddschutter6535]

This is excellent!

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

Cannot wait to see more on this series. I am thinking of doing the same thing but adding GRMS

[@donkuykendoll5237]

I would like to see the Amp setup. Thank you and I do like the job you have done.

[@tbmpetsolutions]

excellent

[@jamestaddeo4435]

That's freaking awesome man! I have to do one of these...

[@tinysparky]

I understand the weight issue, but 2 hard panels on the roof would have doubled capacity. Love the build

[@oherrala]

The capacity is related to area of the panel, not the hardness of it. These semi-flexible panels have same capacity as same size rigid panels.

[@rclark999]

I love your attention to detail!

[@wesleypayne5924]

Great job! Awesome video!

[@sanmau]

Great and informative video, thank you! 😊

[@OH8STN]

Thank you so much. I've learned tons from your renovation 🔆

[@dougdaniels]

Cable management is always a concern for me as well. Looking forward to seeing how that's handled on the roof. Great info as always 👍

[@neubert500]

This is very nice for you! Congratulations!

[@Darkmattersfrank]

This video was in my Google news feeds. Randomly. I haven’t searched for anything ham radio.

[@OH8STN]

This might mean I'm back in the good graces of the central search authority 🤣👍

[@kevinb4783]

I'd keep an eye on those panels, seems like airflow while driving could get under the edges

[@OH8STN]

That's a good point. I forgot to cover it in the video but I sealed the front edge between the panel and the roof, just for that reason. I'll keep an eye on it and report back.

[@billbolen8115]

Awesome setup. Looking forward to the series and the field deployment.

[@terryboyle]

Great content. Thank you

[@mattghoward]

Great project Julian - and I expect it will continually evolve as you use it more and get more things to put inside. A solid mast and a hexbeam?? lol

[@turdferguson2863]

_nice_

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for the kindness.

[@PaperworkNinja]

I'd like to see the power setup. I finally got some Harbor Freight solar panels of my own to run my radio on a solar battery system (a Bioenno 12AH battery matched with a Buddipole Powermini 2) on Field Day this weekend. Now I understand why Powerfilm, Renogy, Explorer, and other similar panel makers are priced higher. These HF panels are heavy and unwieldy. It looks like you pay for weight and efficiency which is fine for me. If I use solar on any future POTA activations, I'll buy something way lighter! Thanks for giving me inspiration for my build! 73 de KD9SXA

[@dongerification]

Awesome setup

[@Shoe1212]

This is awesome and something I'd like to do. Can we get a tour of the inside in the next video?

[@FewPewPewRah]

Nice job sir.

[@yabaovoy5314]

That's awesome

[@jake278]

Super cool!!!

[@chrissewell1608]

What no Air Conditioning? Whew, I couldn't sleep in their without A/C. But, I live in Georgia (USA), and it gets HOT as Hell, down here!

[@OH8STN]

We were thinking about it for the dogs. I'm a desert rat, so the heat doesn't bother me very much.

[@user-gd6vc7wj1b]

Thanks!📡

[@robertjordan4755]

I would like to see the off-grid power considerations.

[@edward9337]

A tour of the camper would be nice too.

[@karlrichards3054]

Nice Julian ..... I'm for doing the antenna setup. I am currently trying to finish repairing my older camper. Looking to down size as right now it is a 30 footer.

[@rachmielbenberel]

I would like to set a video on the power setup next.

[@wm6h]

Part 2, my vote: radios/amp. Thanks

[@DrFredism]

Power system!

[@jasonconrad9212]

I’m impressed! I love it. I’d love to see how all of the solar goes together with the charge controllers. How do you wire up multiple charge controllers?

[@hamradiobasics]

Julian this is going to be perfect for you. Can't wait to see how it will turn out. Love you thumbnail - what AI tool did you use ?

[@douglasschumann4452]

I hope you remember that the roof of the camper needs to be painted to keep it waterproof.

[@OH8STN]

Ghanks. Good paint, no leaks. New paint (olive drab & black) coming next spring.

[@micpep3076]

Those are kickass glasses you got there. What are those?

[@OH8STN]

Ballistic goggles. One is Ballistic Tactical Rsifer. The other WileyX Rouge.

[@pnowikow]

I vote power setup

[@frankgonzalez9599]

Hey Julian. Love the video. Do you plan to list what you used on your trialer?

[@OH8STN]

Absolutely! We'll do everything on the channel and follow up with the blog. 👍

[@mattstosh6960]

You are located at high latitude as am I, where solar panels should be mounted vertically (flat) for optimal solar gain use. Can you speak to the efficiency of mounting them flat s vertically. Great video... and thank you.

[@OH8STN]

You're exactly right. For my home station the solar panels are mounted vertically. For the camper, I'll augment. With deployable portable panels in winter. Great question👍

[@JonCherba]

I've thought about a custom shell style camper setup, but I'm not sure if I'll actually go that route.

[@johnk8091]

Radio and amplifier setup

[@jakelemay7913]

73

[@hgw90026]

With the benefit of permanent infrastructure, would you make this more of a command center with additional situational awareness solutions? if so, how much power is enough and for how many days? What level of SHTF are you planning for? From your part of the world, a volcanic eruption that blocks out the sun for days and volcanic ash all over the place is conceivable.

[@nycbike73]

I am being greedy I would like to see the radio setup and the off grid power setup in part 2

[@d.kennedy7627]

👍🏻

[@kurtschulmeyer1041]

Go with power and solar.