Winter Field Day Association (WFDA) is a dedicated group of Amateur Radio Operators who believe that emergency communications in a winter environment are just as important as the preparations and practice that are done each summer but with some additional unique operational concerns. This year we had some of the coldest weather in years with a dusting of snow, this didn’t stop us from testing!
This year, several members met at Sesquicentennial State Park to test a DX Engineering Low Band Systems Low Pass Filters and Multiplexer. Basically, when all connected we were able to connect up to 4 HF radios on 10, 15, 20, and 40 meters to a single multiband antenna. The antenna used in our testing was a CHAMELEON ANTENNA CHA SPIDER ASB Antenna Base with SharkRF Hamsticks. The base was atop an MFJ MFJ-1906H – MFJ Standard Telescoping Fiberglass Masts mounted in an MFJ MFJ-1919EX – MFJ 1919EX Heavy Duty Antenna Tripod 24ft in the air.
Overall, the testing was a success, in the past we struggled with operating the trailer radios at the same time. The issue we addressed was frontend overload due to close radios and their RF. The filters blocked and filtered noise making it possible to make contacts on all radios at the same time. What impressed me the most was the fact we only used one antenna. Everything I read stated connected radios can operate simultaneously, however, when I looked for any videos showing this, there was nothing actually showing radios operating at the same time.
I would have to say, if you are activating POTA, Winter Field Day, Summer Field Day, or any other activation where you have interference from RF or RF noise-makers, you will want this type of filter. So the question left is do you buy or do you build. There are several great videos on YouTube explaining how to build and actually get better performance than the ones you can purchase.
I had a great time learning and explaining the testing to other Hams, lets’s do this again.
73.
Jim W4JLP
