Marconi built his station on Cape Cod for a reason. Fessenden did it in Marshfield MA (on the mainland facing the Marconi site in Truro). They knew a thing or two about how the salt water works with RF. LOL. "Some beaches!" - Sheriff Buford T Justice Merry Christmas brother Walt. 73
Hi Walt, Over the UK summer I was out in my garden playing radio on FT8. I was using a ground spike and 4 seventeen feet ground radials and ampro sticks for 40, 30, 20 and 17 meters. What I did was water the ground spike with 2 gallons of salty water. The radio was a Xiegu x6100 and a android phone running FT8CN app. Worked Asia, USA, Brazil and Australia. The setup certainly work better by adding salt to the ground around the antenna. Keep up the good videos. David M0DUU Northampton UK
Thanks Bruce! You guys have some awesome mountains and peaks, I sometimes wish I could get to a place that was greater than a few feet above sea level. 73, Walt
So interesting Walt. I am hoping to get my UK Full Licence next month and as I live on the coast of the Irish Sea, I plan to use the beach a lot. Unfortunately, it has been known to be a bit windy here ! Also there's a 10 meter tidal range and at low tide the sea is 8 km away. But I will be trying it out and see how it works.
Great video. Thanks for the suggestions and tips. Just got my tech and studying for General now. You inspired me to get a G90 and a DX Commander. Looking at other verticles from your top 10 list. Truly, great video's Walt. Thanks. I live two miles inland from the beach in Ft. Myers FL. My hope is your video's will inspire me to get off my ass and get down to the beach and giverago! This video will help. Do you just use a paper notebook to log, or do you log? I'll assume some of your distant contacts would appreciate a QSL card. Old school pad and paper?
I am not an amateur operator yet, but am an avid SWL. Any suggestions on antennas to use for SWL on the beach? My radios are Tecsuns, PL680, PL990X, PL368. Thank you.
For just receiving the little SW reel antenna is perfect on the beach if you have a pole or something to get it sloping or near vertical: Kaito T-1 Radio Antenna a.co/d/gSmJTEn
I try to get to the beach here in Mass., a 3 hour drive, as often as I can to Fish. Now when I'm camping/fishing I'll have another great activity. Good Vid, Walt.
Keep the connectors high and dry. Do everything you can to avoid dropping the ends in the sand. if you do make sure you get all the sand out before connecting. I really don't have a type preference, whatever works.
Wonder if the Texas Gulf Coast and saltwater will help me get deep into South America. I’ve been hoping to make some contacts in the deep jungles of the Amazon in South America.
Walt, I do the same with my DX Commander pole and ~1.5' PVC pipe on the California beaches. One thing I did do was I 3d printed a plug and screwed it into the inside of the PVC with countersunk screws (so it still fits in the mast). That stops the smaller segments from falling into the PVC and getting all gunked up with wet sand when I collapse it. I got tired of cleaning them out every time I use it.
Yeah, I made the mistake you are talking about. Bought the Elecraft KX3. It's a lovely radio, but maybe too good for taking on the beach. Always paranoid about it getting damaged. The Xiegus are still good radios and a lot less money than Elecraft.
Terrific video! How long does that little red radio's battery last you? I've always had it in my mind to do some Beach operating on the Texas Gulf Coast... Jeff, kf5kwo
Excellent beach tips. I agree on cheap disposable wire and also agree on the equipment as in my FT-891 is intended for the beach parking lot but my little $100 Ten-Tec QRP rig is perfect for the beach!
Hey I’m new to this and still trying to learn. I right next to the beach as well. What vertical antenna would be best budget option. I want to DX and talk internationally.
Hi Walt, great interesting content in your videos, I have learned a lot about making antennas. I suppose the flat surface of the ocean helps making contacts?
That saltwater does more than just give a flat surface, the salinity of the water give the RF ground a boost of about 10dB, It's amazing and some call it the "Saltwater Amplifier": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z51j2m0Z0k4.htmlsi=b9oLXrUgP67CwR_R
eBay, I always look for a USA seller, that's basically the same overseas seller with a warehouse here in the states. Quicker to get and easier to return.
Any idea on how much ‘effect’ you loose if you are say 100 meters from the water ? With current freezing temperatures and stong winds - sitting in my car is a must for a longer session
I still notice an increase in gain being that close to the water. I don't know the specific amount of gain but it's there for sure. I'm with you on the cold weather, I've been staying in the Jeep lately myself.
Closest salt water to me is 400+ km away and 700 km away. But what we do have a lot of close by is dry salt lakes and sometimes wet. I have often wondered how well they would work in comparison to the sea. Sounds like something to try, after all its salty open and flat without having to chase the tide. But at 45 deg C at times, a carton of coldies at hand is a must.
I've thought that as well, I'm sure the salt lakes will work well, maybe even better than the ocean if the salinity is higher. I remember seeing a broadcast AM radio tower in Utah that was directly over the salt lake.
Hey ELMER, Amazon is having a sale on their version of Monster speaker wire. Amazon Basics 100 (200) ft roll, $11.50. I know I'M getting a couple, lol!
i used to do a bunch of beach ops in Malibu, CA. My buddy and I would tie a 22 AWG wire to a kite. (We also used a string for actual kite control) So, Don and I paid out about 200 feet of wire into a tuner. We worked all over the pacific rim, with most stations sending "WOW" when we would send that it was a kite. So much fun. 73, Marc - N6UNX
Minutes from vb oceanfront? Sounds like you’re a neighbor. I’m just picking up the hobby and haven’t connected with anyone yet. Enjoy your travels. -WSCU688
Another great video Walt and some great advice. I’m headed to Atlantic City on the weekend of 12/16 and thinking about operating on the beach there. My only problem is that my only QRP rig is a KX3 so it’s gonna have to work. Hopefully the weather is cooperative.
Hey Walt what is the shortest antenna you have had for for 20m looking like just shy of 15’ for 1/4 wave but I have a 13 foot crappy pole. Any recommendations to get it up on the air. I have a coax with built in choke would I still need a balun or unun?
I would take a piece of 16 foot 5 inch wire which is a 1/4 wave for 20 and tape the top end to the short pole and then pull the bottom out a little and make it a sloper. No balun or unun needed and it should perform well.
Walt, we discovered a place that the signals would go from S7 to 20 over 9 as you approach the last 40 feet. The key is Saltwater Marshland with a steep hill behind you. Try that and let me know how you to. The marsh needs to be in front of you for the direction you wish to work. It is much better than full salt water.
Great tips! I added a sand spike to the shopping list. I've used rubber wire, like the Nite Ize Gear Ties, to tie off a lightweight mast (like the SOTABEAMS Carbon 6 or Goture 7m fishing pole) to signs, posts or anything that won't move. That stuff comes in handy for a lot of ham radio things.
Good morning Walt! I enjoyed the video as always . Enjoyed all the information you gave out. And I have never done a outing on the beach but I definitely want to. I have Yaesu FT-891 and a 12v@35ah battery in a ammo box the radio,tuner speaker are Ina Apache case. It really works well the way I have put it together. I can do POTA activities with it . Anyway have a great day.73 AE4OY WILLIAM PEACOCK EM-81UF Blackshear, Georgia
Great video once again Walt, I never can discount cheap wire, the walmart speaker wire 40M dipole is still 35' in the air since July of this year (somehow). Use what you can, and see what else radiates for fun!
Very nice. lots of good hints here. I live N. of FL panhandle in AL but my current situation doesn't allow for a beach outing. It sure looks like fun. 👍👍👍
Hi Walt. Many thanks for another interesting & informative video, much appreciated, pal. I send a link of your video's to my other Amateur Radio friends, because your video's are very instructional, & you explain things you do, in a way people can easily understand? I also learn a lot from you, thankyou. Incidentally, I was over Norfolk, Virginia flying back from Orlando to Dublin, when the plane developed a fault? We diverted to Indianapolis, & got it repaired, & flew on from there via Gander. We were 13 hours on that plane. Lol. Anyway, I digress.. Once again, many thanks, Walt, you have my respect & appreciation for being a great ambassador for our hobby. Best wishes to you & your family. 73 de Pete GI0FZT.
Filling up a 5 gallon bucket of salt water in Arizona won't work very well. I could go to Mexico but I don't think I can activate down there or I could drive the 6 hours to San Diego. I think I'll just go test out the East Coast and go to Florida. Your videos are great. Thank you for the inspiration. Not only on the coast but also in Poland!
Thank you so much for the kind words! A weekend in San Diego sounds like a plan to me. I actually get there for work sometimes but it's been a while. Great area. All the best and 73!
