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