How To Secure A Telescopic Mast To A Bergen

On a recent trip out in adverse conditions, I attempted a CTX activation at 402m ASL on the West Pennine Moors. but due to the bad weather I had to make a hasty retreat back to the car. In my rush to get packed away, I don't think I secured my 10m telescopic mast to the straps of my British army bergen properly. Resulting in the mast slipping out of the straps and dropping to the floor. This could have resulted in two outcomes. A damaged mast or worse, a lost mast, had I not heard it hit the ground with a thud ! Back at home, I decided to come up with a solution that would secure the mast to my bergen and this is what I came up with...

Why You Should Always Carry Appropriate Gear

Decided to head out for the Sunday Charlie Tango DX Net at a location I had previously visited, with great success. The weather wasn't brilliant, but wasn't going to stop me getting out. In this video you will witness how the weather went from acceptable to down right awfull. Luckily I had the right gear for the job in the form of a British Army basha, bergen, gaiters and Waterproof jacket. This video highlights why you should always be prepared for ANY weather, despite how pleasant it may seem when you first set off on your journey.

Location : Cartridge Hill, West Pennine Moors, UK Altitude : 402m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak (Wasn't even removed from bag), Baofeng UV-5R PMR446.

Basic Midland 77-805 Portapak And Telescopic Antenna - Homesteaders Net

On a Recent holiday in Dorset managed to get out for a few hours onto the hills for a basic CTX activation. Equipped with just my Midland 77-805 Portapak (Plus telescopic antenna), I managed to take part in, what I now learn is now quite a well known net... The Homesteaders Net on ch27, hosted by Nigel (Skip).

Location : Hambledon Hill, Dorset, UK Altitude : 192m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak with telescopic antenna.

New CTX Activation Location - West Pennine Moors

Towards the end of July 2013, I decided to check out a new potential DX activation location on the West Pennine Moors. Cartridge Hill 402m ASL turned out to be a great little spot with good 360deg views. Tested out a new mast/guy line attachment setup, which seemed to work really well and the Midland 77-805 Portapak with T2LT antenna worked a treat as always. Also used the PMR446 with my homebrew dipole antenna and 4m mast setup, which again was working well.

Location : Cartridge Hill, West Pennine Moors, UK Altitude : 402m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak, T2LT Antenna on 10m mast, Baofeng UV-5R with homebrew Dipole antenna.

Charlie Tango North West DX Net - 14th July 2013

A return to the summit of Pendle Hill, East Lancashire for the Charlie Tango North West DX Net, which was to be the first net to be hled in the North West under the Charlie Tango banner. Craig AKA Sid The Cat, agreed to host the event to see what interest it would attract from Charlie Tango members in the North West of England. I couldn't have imagined the events that would unfold over this sunny afternoon on the CB airwaves...

Was great to make contact with Gary (26CTX104) north of Swansea, over 140miles and Roy (104CT011) in Corsica, over 950 miles away

Location : Pendle Hill, East Lancashire, UK Altitude : 557m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak, T2LT Antenna on 10m mast, Baofeng UV-5R with homebrew Dipole antenna.

SHTF Wild Camp & DXing Weekend - Pendle Hill, East Lancashire

Spent 2 days wild camping on the summit of Pendle Hill, East Lancashire. This was part of a SHTF event, where stations up and down the country attempted to make radio contact.

Location : Pendle Hill, East Lancashire, UK Altitude : 550m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak, T2LT Antenna

DIY Camera Tripod Attachment For PMR446 Dipole Antenna

Was kindly sent a dipole antenna from Simon (Youtube Channel : WOWSLY) for use with a BaoFeng UV-5R on the PMR446 channels. And I needed a method of supporting the antenna when on CTX radio activations. I already carry a camera tripod, so decided to come up with a simple bracket attachment, using a few odds and ends from my garage. In this short video I demonstrate what I ended up with.

Quick & Easy CB Radio DXing Antenna Mast Setup

Short video demonstrating the quick and easy system I use to setup a portable mast in conjunction with the mast guy line support attachment I made out of paracord and four carabiners. I then secure a homebrew T2LT antenna to complete the setup.

There is a good video tutorial, by a Charlie Tango CTX Member (Gary CTX104) demonstrating how to build the simple T2LT antenna HERE

Charlie Tango DX "Northern" Sub-Net - Pendle Hill - 09/06/13

My first Charlie Tango Sunday DX Net on Pendle Hill, Lancashire. Operating at 550m ASL on a Midland 77-805 Portapak, with a homebrew T2LT antenna on a 6m roach pole mast.

Location : Pendle Hill, Lancashire, UK Altitude : 550m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak, T2LT Antenna, Baofeng UV-5R

Testing New Telescopic Antenna For My Midland 77-805 Portapak

Having recently purchased this second hand Midland 77-805 Portapak, unfortunately it didn't come with its telescopic antenna. But a Charlie Tango DX Group member, very kindly sent me one. And here's how I got on trialing it for the first time.

A Few Photos Of My Evening's DXing : View from the trig point over to Pendle Hill

My base for the evenings DXing attempts... An Underground Nuclear Monitoring Post !

Received CT1268 (19 miles away) no problem. But he was unable to hear my signal

Sun setting in the distance as I left the hill, for home

Location : Mellor Moor, Lancashire, UK Altitude : 213m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak (Telescopic Antenna)

My First Extreme CB DXing Portable Station Setup & Transmission

After finally getting all my comms kit together, I ventured out onto Anglezarke Moor in Lancashire and climbed to 381m ASL on Great Hill, to setup what would be my first ever extreme portable DXing station.

Some photos from my day extreme DXing : En-route to the summit of Great Hill

At the summit, prior to setting up the portable DX station

Basha deployed due to change in weather plus 6m mast with T2LT antenna

The Midland 77-805 Portapak worked a treat

My view from the basha

Very enjoyable despite the weather

Tried on the PMR446, but not much doing

Views over to Darwen Tower

Winter Hill where we get our TV signal from

Location : Great Hill, Anglezarke Moor, UK Altitude : 381m ASL Kit Used : Midland 77-805 Portapak, T2LT Antenna

Homemade Paracord Mast Guyline Attachment Ring

A homemade mast supporting system I came up with, using paracord, 4 carabiners and a rubber grommet.

I made this ring using 550 paracord, fashioned using a cobra stitch method. The 4 carabiners were then clipped into a loop of the paracord. This ring is then slid over the 6m fibreglass telescopic roach pole, where guy lines can then be attached and pegged out to secure the mast.

I use a large rubber grommet to also slip over the roach pole, which stops the paracord ring slipping down the pole under tension.

The inclusion of guy line tensioners, just gives the setup a bit of "give" and "movement" under strong windy conditions.

This setup is very easy to erect (under 5mins), allows quick mast/antenna adjustments and holds the mast very secure in strong winds or where a convenient fence post is not available.

My CB & PMR446 DXing Comms Kit

A brief look at the comms kit I will be using when out extreme DXing.

Midland 77-805 Portapak with 10 x 2400mAh Duracell AA NiMH rechargeable batteries.

Homemade T2LT dipole antenna, using RG58A/U coax.

6m fibreglass telescopic rouch pole (Mast), complete with Charlie Tango DX Group bumper sticker.

Mast kit including guy lines (In drawstring bag), guy line mast attachment ring, pegs, PVC tape, mast support strap, peg-out guide and DPM pouch to keep it all in.

Cobra Microtalk MT700 PMR446 Radio with 4 x 1000mAh Duracell AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries.

SWR Meter & patch lead, compass, head torch, small multi-tool all kept in a waterproof plastic container.

Homemade emergency solar phone charger, including USB patch lead and protective pouch for keeping the phone in whilst charging.

This is just my comms kit and doesn't include items I would also carry in my rucksack, like first aid kit, map & compass, GPS etc.

First Extreme DX Outing With A PMR446 Radio

Only recently got interested in extreme DXing and this was my first outing up on Pendleton Moor, East Lancashire. Managed to make contact whilst at 327m ASL, using a Cobra Microtalk MT700 PMR446 Radio.

Location : Pendleton Moor, East Lancashire, UK Altitude : 372m ASL Kit Used : Cobra Microtalk MT700 PMR446