Airstream Ham Radio

In May of 2023, I began living full-time in my 2023 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FBT. As my interest in amateur radio continues, finding good information on setting up an amateur radio station in an RV, with all the issues surrounding mobility and power, doesn't come easy. I hope this explanation of my station setup will be helpful to those who operate out of an RV, and to my fellow Airstream owners who don't want to poke new holes in their trailer.

The two radios sit atop the table I made for Nancy before she passed away. Linux Mint runs CQRlog software.

Your station itself will probably be as individual as we are from each other, but the behind-the-radio setup has some specific rules to follow in order for the station to work properly. I won't get into all of that, as, since you are reading this, you are likely an operator and have at least a basic understanding of things. The real issue for many RV'ers is finding unobtrusive routes for cables, providing sufficient ground plane for antennas mounted to the RV, and protecting everything from the extended "earthquake" from moving your RV down the road, or off-road.

One of my main goals in building a setup is to not do something that cannot be undone and appear as if it never was. In other words, no new holes or modifications that can be detected by the casual observer's view; everything must be out of view and reversible. With this in mind, I found a way to route coax without creating any possible leaks. 

The 2023 Airstream FC23FBT, like many other RV's, has a roof-mounted snorkel-like refrigerator vent that has a very nice cover over it. This makes a perfect place to run coax up to the roof that no one will ever notice. For those with non-metal RV roofs, a roof-mounted antenna may not work, but this location may provide a top-side entry location for whatever setup you have. Be sure a sufficient grommet and cable holds are made to prevent damage to the coax while your RV is moving.

The coax passes through the front end of the refrigerator vent snorkel, behind the large cover.

In my case, I ran the coax from the vent, down behind the refrigerator and forward to a floor port where the plumbing comes up from the fresh water tank. From there, I fished the line on top of the water tank to another floor port on the curb-side of the trailer where the water heater is located. The coax comes up into the trailer there and to the radios sitting on a little table I made for Nancy. 

A Yaesu ATAS-120A screwdriver antenna is mounted with a UHF connector antenna bracket to the lower half side of the metal AC chassis. This is electrically grounded to the trailer body/skin which also acts as a ground plane for the antenna. I can also swap out the HF antenna for a 2m/440 antenna and flip the antenna switch to the Yeasu FTM-7250D. 

The antenna bracket is standing off the side of the AC chassis with extended bolts to allow for the AC's composite top cover to clear the antenna. Of course, antennas are removed and the radios are safely stowed while travelling.

The UHF connector antenna bracket with stand-off bolts is on the curb-side of the metal AC chassis.

Power is supplied directly off the batteries via a RIGrunner 4004U fuse block.

Internet connectivity is supplied via Starlink, which is now powered by a 12v to 48v step-up booster and PoE setup I made. A Nest router is also running on 12v so no shore power or inverter is needed for internet to operate. When Starlink isn't available due to overhead obstructions, such as tree cover, a PEPwave 4G/WiFi repeater router (also 12v) provides internet when 4G cellular or public WiFi is available.

Outcome

So far, I've accomplished my goal of operating from the Airstream without making irreversible changes.

There are no wires or cables detectable except where they are connected to devices. Perfect!

To date, I have had nothing but good signal reports. Awesome!

I have not run the AC while transmitting, but testing will show if there are issues with interference.

There seems to be no issues regarding receiving signals with the AC on.

After removing the curb-side bed and adding a Stressless recliner, there's plenty of room to relax and operate from anywhere.

Operating out of my winter get-away near Tucson, Arizona in grid DM42ke (Nov 2023)

Operating out of Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca, Wisconsin in grid EN54jh (July 2024)

Taste and See...

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

ad-ven-ture

 

The year 2023 has been full of changes, both big and small, and I can say without any reservation, life truly is an adventure. In early May, shortly after returning to Wisconsin from Arizona, I purchased an Airstream Flying Cloud 23FBT travel trailer to replace the tiny Flyer Chase. Obviously the Airstream will handle expeditions of longer duration more comfortably, like those I have been making to Arizona. The Flyer Chase will stick around at least until next summer as I contemplate it's future.

At the end of August, I sold the Wisconsin condominium and began living full-time in the Airstream. This is again another significant life change. Thinking back, only two years ago I sold our retirement home on Lake Michigan soon after Nancy passed away and bought the condo. And now the Airstream is my home. Wow, what a change!

As for amateur radio, the residence changes have greatly affected the ability and capacity to get on the air. For now, the home-made Yaesu/Raspberry Pi YSF repeater is off-line and will likely not be up for an extended period of time. The Alinco/Raspberry Pi APRS digipeater station is also down, and along with the Yaesu FT-991A, they too are in storage. The Barker & Williamson 90' folded dipole is rolled up and in storage, and the GAP Titan DX has found a new home.

Looking at these changes as an opportunity to try new things, I began considering what I could do to make the Airstream feel more like home as well as provide space for some of my interests. One of the first things I did was carefully remove the twin bed on the curb-side of the trailer and save all the parts in storage. In the resulting floor space, I added a nice pattern rug and a Stressless swivel reclining chair, minus the included footstool. This provides a clean and very comfortable area that reminds me of a small [very small] den-like space. 

On the floor at the rear of this space, the tankless water heater will eventually be covered by a custom bookcase and space for a printer. At the front, a desktop will extend from the curb-side, over to and including the existing nightstand. Under the desktop will be hanging file folders and some other storage. The non-lifting portion of the top will allow space for the Yaesu FT-710 AEES and FTM-7250D transceivers, as well as a mini desktop computer and full-size monitor. Until then, the radios are located on Nancy's small table at the rear of this space.

After temporarily removing some cabinet bottoms and backs, I found a great way to run coax to the outside without risking water intrusion or changing the trailer's clean exterior appearance. Above the refrigerator, there is a large 5x20 inch screened and covered vent in the roof, and a perfect place to pass coax through. From this vent, I was able to run coax down behind the refrigerator and forward to the fresh water tank plumbing passage. From there, the coax runs under the floor, on top of the water tank to the plumbing passage at the water heater. The result is a clean, totally hidden coax run from the radios to the roof. Perfect.

For the HF radio, the Yaesu ATAS-120A antenna that was on the Flyer Chase setup is used. Mounting was done by using a right-angle stainless steel mirror-mount bracket attached to the curb-side of the AC chassis. The lower half of the chassis is a steel pan with vertical sides perfect for this. The antenna is in the clear as  much it can be without any alterations to the trailer body or roof. After running some tests, the antenna shows a SWR of 1:1 on 10 meters,  2.2:1 on 20 meters, and 4.7:1 on 40 meters. With these results, staying on 20 or above is best. Good thing 10 meters is wide open for the next few years!

The VHF/UHF antenna is currently in "receive only" mode until I decide how to handle that.

For power, there's no worries while the trailer is plugged in. When running off-grid, power is supplied by 200Ah of batteries, 300 watts of roof-mounted solar, and a 35A charge controller. At some point, I may be doubling the batteries and solar collection, but for now, there is no pressing need.

May God bless you as you draw close to Him!

Jan 2023 Activities

 

January was a month of variety, with times of peace and quiet, sorting out life issues; finishing up the camper renovation, and finalizing a plans and installations for a proper "portable" station setup. With all of that came a good shakedown of what works, what doesn't work, what's needed, and what's not needed for overlanding and radio operations.

Amateur Radio

The solar power system was completed with the mounting of the two 100 watt solar panels to the roof of the camper. So far, everything is working quite well. Power seems to be abundant for my requirements with the 200 AHr lithium battery, having yet to drop below 13.2 volts after many hours of radio, lights, and refrigerator use. 

The Yaesu FT-710 AESS with the ATAS-120A antenna has been a nice upgrade from the FT-991A, though I sure miss my Barker & Williamson BWD-90 folded dipole. On the next trip, it's coming along! Quite a few years ago I bought a Yaesu FC-40 long-wire tuner but have never put it into service, so I think I'll install it in the camper as yet another arrow in my quiver of HF antennas. 

The FTM-7250 fits the need, though I think I would like to see a FTM-400 in the camper so I can run an APRS digipeater, as I do at home, without the need for yet another radio. 

I haven't been spending a lot of time on the radio - mostly grayline times - but I've been able to make a few QSOs. My QRZ log is up to date, but I didn't bring my Linux computer so the CQRlog software and LoTW logs are behind until later.

The Camper

I was finally able to run a propane line to the Propex heater. The issue was the gas connection on the heater is/was a 7mm female, and the kit only came with a 7mm to 1/4" copper line L-connection. I needed to run a feed line to the heater with a T-connector so I could also run propane to the stove just above the heater.

As I was talking with Roy, a fellow camper and former tool and die guy, he suggested tapping out the 7mm connector to a 1/4-18 NPT, as it is slightly larger than the 7mm, and there is plenty of metal on the female connector to make this change. After a trip to Harbor Freight, and a few minutes of elbow grease, I now have wonderful propane heat in the camper and a permanently connected stove! Thanks Roy!

Overland & Outdoors

This month was filled with many hikes, bike rides, and miles of off-road exploring. For several of them, I recorded video and have published them on my YouTube channel. All but one were day trips, so I wouldn't say I got any real overlanding in. Plenty of off-road though.

Jan 1: Tucson to Globe, AZ

Jan 2 & 3: Ironwood Forest National Monument, BLM land

Jan 6: Cocoraque Archaeological District

Jan 7: Mt. Lemmon, Willow Canyon

Jan 8: Saguaro National Park, hike Wasson Peak

Jan 9: Tucson Mountain Park, bike trails

Jan 10: Ironwood Forest National Monument, climb Ragged Top mountain

Jan 12: Tucson Mountain Park, hike Brown mountain trail

Jan 14: Coronado National Forest, overland Granite Mountain and Cedar Flat via Box Canyon

Jan 19: Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, overland "Square to Nowhere"

Jan 20: Tucson Mountain Park, hike Sarasota and Explorer trails

Jan 22-23: Ironwood Forest National Monument, camp and star gaze

Jan 25: Ajo, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Mexico border, road and off-road trip

Jan 26: Nancy's Birthday, a day of thankful reminiscing of our years of marriage together 

Jan 27: Connecting the Propex heater! 

The one overnight trip was to star gaze and photograph the Arizona night sky, but at that time I didn't have the Propex heater connected, so it was a cold night. I woke early to take photos, but since I was warm in my bed, I fell back asleep and missed the opening time of a cloudless night. Bummer. I did get up just after 2:00 AM and took some photos, but I missed the best opening between 12:00 and 2:00 AM. Note to self: set an alarm and place it far from me. Next time...