M7SMU/M Field Test 1
Overview
My first HF Mobile field test.
Field Test 1 - 29 April 2021
Field Test 1 is to test out mobile HF voice only. So no need for the digital modes kit.
Objectives
- ✅ Assemble and fit antenna to car
- ❌ Tune antenna via Nano VNA
- ✅ Test power system works with G90
- ❌ Make a QSO on 20m
Kit deployed
| Serial | Category | Item | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Radio | Xiegu G90 | Worked well as ever |
| 002 | Radio | Hand Mic | Not used |
| 003 | Radio | Digital mode stand and fan | Worked well |
| 004 | Power | LiFePo4 6Ah battery | Worked well, need to test under real load |
| 005 | Power | Battery to Anderson PowerPole lead | Worked well |
| 008 | Antenna | AMPRO-20 HF antenna | Tested, needs tuning |
| 009 | Antenna | Mag mount | Worked well |
Field Test Report
Location
I took a drive out to Portishead beach where I could park up near and facing the sea to get a nice clean takeover over the Bristol Channel.
Outcome
Field test 1 was a partial success. I fitted the antenna mount sticker and rubber boot to protect the car, and mounted it at the rear of the car roof just a little away from the shark fin antenna already there. I screwed the AMPRO whip onto the coil and mounted it to the mag mount and fed the coax through the rear window.
I'd forgotten the all important SO-239 to SMA adapted, so I couldn't test the antenna on the Nano VNA. However, the radio has a tuner, so I was able to tune it, but I couldn't trim the whip / coil length to get it resonant. That will have to wait for Field Test 2.
The power system was great, I just used a fused wire from the battery to the G90 and it performed well although I didn't transmit so I didn't really test it under load, an objective for next time.
I didn't make a QSO, I did find some super strong signal, Italians as ever and even picked up a few US stations, but nothing I felt I could break into, and I'm still a little gun-shy to call CQ. Again, for next time.
Overall, I've work to do to tune the AMPRO and I need to get a QSO done next time. Then I can move onto Digital Modes.