GRA-7350TC 3/8″ x 24 CB HF 3.5MHz 7-30MHz/50MHz Broadband Telescopic Portable Antenna Review – Perfect for Air Travel

Posted on by ve3ips

The Gabil GRA-7350T antenna is a game-changer for portable amateur radio enthusiasts. Its compact physical size combined with the common 3/8-24 stud thread makes it an excellent choice for on-the-go operations.

When I first saw the Gabil antenna come onto the marketplace, I really didn’t pay too much attention to it because it looked to me like another portable base loaded antenna that uses the M-P (PL-259) connector. I already had the Comet HFM-350 and Gabil GRA-1899T that I use with the Wind Camp RC-1 bracket. I found that style of mount limiting my deployment options.

I saw that they released a version using the 3/8”-24 connector. I obtained one right away and while waiting for delivery I gathered my mounts. I can now use the Workman JAWS Clamp, a magnetic mobile mount, and standard mirror mount. I have also have a couple of custom aluminum brackets for tripod or mast mounting.

Another strong attraction to this antenna was the fact that it packs down into a small form factor. It could almost fit into a vest pocket. In fact, it does fit into a vest pocket in my Burberry Spy trench coat. The size is as follows: 80m coil – 6.5 inches, main loading – 11 inches and the telescopic whip is 9.75 inches. It weighs a light 340 grams. I found a perfect carry case as shown in the Photo 1.

With an upcoming trip to Spain, I also thought this would be ideal for POTA and portable activations. It covers 40 to 6 m plus 80m with the add-on coil. The antenna also allows enhanced shortwave listening and CB radio activity.

I brought my Icom 705 and my portable CB on this trip to Europe.  It turned out this antenna was ideal and also brought it along several bus tours we did. I used RG-316 coax as well to keep things light. When I was out and about playing radio, it fit inside my backpack pocket without a worry.

I was right. This antenna packs down pretty small, its light, and it’s very efficient. For its small size, it will never out perform a full quarter wave antenna but who can or be able to deploy that in a public space without drawing attention. If you are driving to the beach or to the park, then weight or size isn’t an issue, but if you are hiking to the operating location, doing a SOTA summit or just taking the bus into the city park then you need a small light weight antenna that is efficient and radiates well. When I was out and about playing radio, it fit inside my backpack pocket without a worry.

It uses a slider control that adjusts the Inductance of the coil to match it to the frequency that you plan to operate on. No antenna tuner is required!

You simply adjust the slider control up or down for maximum noise. Then make small adjustments to get the SWR under 1.5 to 1. Of course, I was using this antenna in a portable environment with a JAWS clamp attached to a metal pipe or railing. I also use 16.5 feet of CP wire (also can be used as a ¼ wave on 20m and up on its own).

I also used it on the CB band and for listening to SW Broadcast stations.

I found the Gabil antenna allowed me to make contacts in various locations and was fast to set up and had a stealthy low profile.

The quality of the materials is very high with tight threads and no wobbling. I get really upset when antennas I buy fall apart after several uses due to poor quality and bad workmanship. Buy once Cry once

I found the Gabil antenna allowed me to make contacts in various locations and was fast to set up and had a stealthy low profile.

73s,

John VE3IPS

https://www.gabilradio.com/gra-7350t

https://www.gabilradio.com/gra-ult01-mk3eng

https://www.gabilradio.com/gra-gnt-package-hand-twist-ground-spike-antenna-mount-tiny-tripod-pole-mount-1-45-pounds-uhf-connector

Parks on The Air 2024 Biography

Posted on by ve3ips

In the quiet town of Signal Hill, there was an amateur radio enthusiast known to everyone simply as VE3IPS, or John to his friends. John had a passion for connecting with people across the globe through the airwaves, and his call sign was well-known in the amateur radio community.

One day, John decided to embark on a unique adventure. He wanted to activate a series of remote parks for the Parks on the Air (POTA) program, a challenge that would require skill, patience, and a bit of luck. With his trusty radio equipment packed, John set out to the wilderness, eager to make contact with fellow hams.

As he reached his first destination, a serene park surrounded by towering trees, John set up his portable antenna and tuned his radio. The first few attempts were met with static, but John was not one to give up easily. He adjusted his equipment, checked his maps, and tried again.

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life. “This is VE3IPS, calling CQ for Parks on the Air,” John announced. To his delight, a voice responded, clear and strong. It was a fellow ham from across the continent, thrilled to make contact with John’s rare park activation.

Word quickly spread, and soon John was inundated with calls. He meticulously logged each contact, his excitement growing with every new call sign. As the sun began to set, John reflected on the day’s success. He had not only connected with dozens of other enthusiasts but also shared the beauty of the park with them through his descriptions over the air.

John’s adventure continued as he visited more parks, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. His dedication to the hobby and the POTA program inspired many others to explore the world of amateur radio and the great outdoors.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/8/2024

(1) VE3IPS – YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@VE3IPS.

(2) G-QRP Club 2020 Convention : The John VE3IPS – YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XzCwv7Lulo.

(3) How to make successful POTA, Parks on the Air, activations and cont. https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/how-to-make-successful-pota-parks-on-the-air-activations-and-cont.842454/.

The Gabil Radio GRA-7350TC Antenna Deployed on a Picnic Table for POTA

Posted on by ve3ips

I deployed the antenna at a picnic table at the park

Bands SUCKED due to multiple CME and Flares in play

I did manage to work SC and GA on 20m with 5 watts on the FT-818

Buy this antenna and be Happy making contacts with a small , light and efficient antenna

Making contacts over 1000 miles with this antenna at 5 watts indicates how awesome it is

73s IPS

GRA-7350TC 3/8″ x24 CB HF 3.5MHz 7-30MHz/50MHz Broadband Telescopic Portable Antenna

  • The antenna is divided into three sections. Includes extended 3.5MHz coil parts. The top retractable part is made of high-quality stainless steel. Made of FRP at the bottom.
  • This ham radio antenna is light and portable. At the same time, it is strong and durable. Suitable for all kinds of outdoor occasions.
  • Compact and lightweight portable antenna for 3.5 to 54 MHz. The antenna is tuned by moving a solid tap on the inner coil. Because the antenna has reasonabley low SWR an ATU is not necessary in most cases.
  • This is very convenient and practical when this antenna is set up in GRA-ULT01 MK2.

Toxic Hams Spread Misinformation

Posted on by ve3ips

I don’t understand why all these self righteous hams that don’t know the morse code will always refer back to

“Go Back to CB”

“Yeah well you operate the Chicken Band cluck cluck”

“You are like a CBer dumb and dumber”

This is not appropriate behavior and is a sure sign of jealousy that the ham has a 2 letter call, is advanced and knows morse code so all they can do is say “go back to CB radio”

This is toxic behavior and has no part in ham radio or part of the local amateur radio club

Best to operate on HF and stay off he repeaters where the Bofang Kiddies and Old Hams jam each other due to jealousy over those that have an Icom 7300

Paul, if you stopped smoking and drinking a quart of Vodka daily then you would live longer and be able to afford a shiny new ham radio

This is why the local repeaters are dead air and turn on once a day for a net

73s

John VE3IPS

Remember to be a Good Human and let the AI trolls argue about the fact a ham store doesn’t have bags for your $2500 purchase

I monitor Channel 11 but find that there is no traffic unless the skip is running or the local Jeep 4×4 lads have a meet up then there is action on the CB

Is “Go back to FRS” worse? probably just as bad

This couple has the coolest handles FlashBulb and FlashCube

Understanding SWR

Posted on by ve3ips

Thanks to Mr QRP Mike VE3MKX for this link

If you have a Nano VNA (who doesnt) then the smith charts is useful but I find using it as a SWR meter too difficult. Using a guitar pick out in the field is crazy. No wonder the pick is on a string

Get a real SWR meter please and save your eyes from strain

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/groupsioattachments/5708/105214630/12113/0?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJECNKOVMCCU3ATNQ&Expires=1711720773&Signature=w5W6FWHiFTPUhYfW%2BSxlJopV1Pw%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3D%22Understanding%2520SWR.pdf%22

CounterPoise Directionality with Compromise Antennas

Posted on by ve3ips

This is a reprint from several years ago

Many compromise antennas are the 6 to 12 foot variety. The Buddistick, SuperAntenna MP1, REZ Antennas Ranger 80, JNC Radio MC-750, Pac-12, and a Chameleon (it has various variants) all offer a short antenna with multi band capability.

The key to these antennas is to have an elevated counterpoise. I have done several Field Strength Readings in the field and in a controlled location to try to understand if there is any directionality to its placement.

YES I have found that there is!

Point it towards the station you are trying to work. There is noticeable improvement in the transmit signal that it would be worth the effort to locate the counterpoise accordingly.

I dont think I am seeing much in the way of reception of signals.

A gain of 3 db is the equivalent of doubling or reducing by half your power.

PLEASE NOTE THE COUNTERPOISE WILL WORK A WHOLE LOT BETTER IF IT IS ELEVATED. THESE ANTENNAS SHOULD SIT 3 FT OR MORE OFF THE GROUND WITH THE CP AT LEAST 1 FT OR MORE OFF THE GROUND. I USE A FIBERGLASS ROD TO KEEP IT OFF THE GROUND. I USE SEVERAL IF ITS A LONG CP (32′).

THIS REDUCES THE GROUND LOSSES WHERE IF THE CP IS ON THE GROUND YOU ARE BASICALLY RADIATING INTO THE GROUND.

THE CP IS BASICALLY THE OTHER HALF OF THE ANTENNA AND IT WILL RADIATE A SIGNAL ACCORDINGLY.

ADJUSTING ITS LENGTH WILL ALSO IMPACT THE SWR

NOW IN 2022, AFTER FURTHER EXPERIMENTATION HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND THAT HAVING AN ADDITIONAL WIRE ALSO IMPROVES THE SIGNALS. THIS IS SET UP AS A VEE POINTING TOWARDS THE DIRECTION YOU WANT.

Counterpoise Directionality

1 wire counterpoise

2 wire separated by a 45-60 degree angle seems to work best

Ham Radio Operator confesses to FT8 Sins and Proud of it

Posted on by ve3ips

At Fish n Chips Cheap Ham Lunch Club (we share an order across 3 hams) and order a single X large coffee to share to keep it cheap they confessed:

>We are operating on FT8 right now while we break bread (flashing the biggest grin ever!)

How so?

>The auto robot mode on FT8

So this is an unattended station operating without AI but use of software controls? Don’t you need to be Advanced for that? I think you may be in violation.

>Yeah, its awesome. It just fills my log with contacts even when I am watching TV with my partner

Partner? Sorry what is that Partner. I hear that all the time ? that’s not morse code…… Aren’t you married?

>So I find this mode fascinating and has really got me back into the hobby again. I spend a lot of time listening to nets so this is interesting to me.

Yeah, its gotten very interesting as I see many Freebanders are also using FT8. There was some guy in Belgium sending SSTV on 27.580 and I caught the bottom third of the transmission so couldn’t get his Freeband callsign or number. Do you listen to the OMISS net on 7185? (How do I know?)

>Yes I do every night and I enjoy that. I heard a guy from PEI and everyone wanted to work him.

Do you check in to that net as they are always looking for VE3s? It could be fun

>Oh NO I would never check in to the net

Your killing me here as you just said you never Chicken into the net.

>Hold on let me ask the counter staff for some more Tartar sauce

So guys I was floored the other day when Ten opened up and there was all kinds of EU signals coming in and I made a bunch of contacts with a vertical with 10 watts. Just like the old days in CB when we had 12 watts and a Hustler antenna in the car. Cycle 25 is hear

>What frequency is that I would love to listen

Try 28.400 and then looking at the waterfall you can move the mouse to the drip and click. If you have a Drake TR4cw then move the dial left or right until you hear a signal.

I learned 2 things today:

  1. A partner is a person with whom someone is in a romantic or sexual relationship. The term is often used to refer to individuals who are not married, but who are in a committed relationship. Partners may live together, share financial responsibilities, and support each other emotionally. In some cases, partners may also have legal agreements that define their relationship, such as cohabitation agreements or domestic partnership agreements. The term “partner” is often used in LGBTQ+ communities as a gender-neutral alternative to “husband” or “wife.”. However, many married to the opposite sex are staying to use this term as well due to Identity and Gender ideology shaping everything. The extreme left will tell you this is the way we should explain our marriages to avoid being considered anti-DEI. OK I use partner in a business sense but there is nothing wrong with using wife or husband even if it considered bad politics or incorrect. Who cares about sexuality since its 2024. This is Gender Neutral Language.

2. Some Hams are enjoying the Hobby their own way and they are Happy listening and being a robot .

FT8 has become increasingly popular in amateur radio in recent years, and for a good reason.

This digital mode removes conversation and allows for fast contacts over long distances, even in low power mode and under challenging band conditions.

73s

John

And so it goes in this hobby that has a thousand hobbies even if you sin you will be forgiven by Marconi and Hiram (maybe even Tesla – the ham not the car)

A new study suggests that having one conversation with a friend (Ham) per day can have a significant effect on a person’s mental health. The study published in Communication Research.

However, for some making FT8 contacts in robot mode can be very uplifting. Whatever floats your boat but please wear a life jacket as the water is getting frothy and deep.