Bicycle Portable
Though most hams that operate their ham radios while riding bicycles
use the term “bicycle mobile”, I believe the term “bicycle porable” is more
appropriate, since almost all (if not all) of us are currently using handy-talkies
while on bicycle, which are termed portable radios. (When I finally manage
to find an FT-90R to mount on my bike, then I will switch my identifying
salutation to “bicycle mobile”.)
- Mark 1
- My first method of operating—simply clipping the radio to the
shift cable.
- Mark 2
- My second installation—the addition of a gellcell battery in the pannier bag.
- Mark 3
- The third phase of my effort was the addition of a proper mount and
handlebar PTT that interface with my Kenwood TH-F6A.
- Mark 4
- This is where I went whole-hog, and added a Diamond dual-band
NMO-mount radialless antenna—first to the pannier and then to a 12′
telescoping fiberglass mast. This setup allowed me to get an S9 out
of N6NFI on both 2W and 5W power modes, while cycling along the
bike path in Foster City. Trees, beware!
