Portable operation (amateur radio)

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Licensed amateur radio operators often take part in portable operations using radio equipment when traveling. A portable station can be anything from a small QRP (Low Power) radio and antenna, to a top-of-the-line rig, space dependent. On long-distance expeditions, such equipment allows them to report progress, arrivals and sometimes exchanging safety messages along the way.

Kamal Edirisinghe, 4S7AB, from Sri Lanka, operating a portable Amateur Radio station south of Stockholm, Sweden.

[edit] Portable operations

Solar Powered Amateur Radio Station on a Bicycle

A unique, truly portable mode of operation is on a bicycle equipped with not only an amateur radio station but with solar power as well.

Many hams at fixed locations are pleased to hear from such travelers. For a ham in a yacht in mid-ocean or a 4x4 inside the Arctic Circle, a friendly voice and the ability to relay a message home or call for help is a welcome comfort.

See maritime mobile amateur radio for further details about amateur radio operation at sea.

Some countries allow the direct connection of amateur transceivers to telephone lines called "phone patching".^[1] Thus, a traveler may be able to call another amateur station and, via a phone patch, speak directly with someone else by telephone.

In addition to reporting progress and non-important information, some licensed Hams operate contests while on the road, adding an element of difficulty, because most portable stations are smaller.