Outdoor Ham Radio. Lifeguard Chairs on the Air! – This is Jim Cluett, W1PID, my outdoor ham radio mentor. What a view Jim had from his perch on the beach at Ellacoya State Park in New Hampshire! He’s busy setting up getting ready to do Morse code with Bert in France. Copyright 2021 Tim Carter
Outdoor Ham Radio – Talk Around the World Using Nightlight Power
You may be on this page because I handed you a small business card while I was doing outdoor ham radio. Or, you may have just stumbled across this page because you want to do what hundreds of thousands of us do all across the world – take our small radios outdoors, breathe fresh air, and talk with people we can’t see. Believe me, it’s fun.
What questions do you have about outdoor ham radio? Enter them as a comment below and I’ll add them and the answers to this page.
Is Ham Radio Still a Thing?
You bet it’s a thing and it’s really fun. There are millions of amateur radio operators all over the world. Advances in technology have made the radios smaller and more reliable. You can talk on the radio as you do on your phone, you can send Morse code, or you can use your computer to make contacts with other operators all over the world.
How Did You Get the Antenna Up So High?
Hah, watch the video:
Is Morse Code Still Used and Why?
Morse code is experiencing a rebirth. It’s actually the original digital means of communication. Sending messages using Morse code is more efficient and a signal can travel farther using less power. I prefer to use Morse code because it exercises my brain and it’s nostalgic being the original way wireless radio signals were sent and received.
How Popular is Outdoor Ham Radio?
Outdoor ham radio is very popular. Radio operators donate their time, equipment, and skills to provide safety and emergency communications for thousands of events all across the world every year. Countless marathons, bicycle races, foot races, parades, etc. have ham radio operators spread out over the courses or race tracks. For example, I’m the Chief of Communications for the New England Forest Rally. Watch the video just below to see what that’s all about.
Some operators combine ham radio with climbing mountains. That program is called Summits on the Air. Other operators take their radios out to different state and national parks. Those programs are World Wildlife Flora and Fauna and Parks on the Air.
How are Outdoor Radios Powered?
Outdoor ham radios can be powered any number of ways. You can use a gasoline-powered generator to create 120 volts of electricity. I happen to use small lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. You can use a simple 9-volt battery or even two AA batteries for tiny radios. Some operators incorporate solar panels to power their radios.