Have you ever thought of operating CW on a bike? Hop on and learn how!

Years ago while traveling in my motorhome, I enjoyed operating mobile CW. At that time it was kind of a novelty to work a mobile CW station. Not so today; with the availability of the small HF rigs on the market, it's not unusual at all to hear a number of stations signing /M. After the sale of my motorhome, my small car didn't have room for a cell phone, let alone an HF radio, so my mobile operation ceased.

My wife, a former aerobics instructor, insists that I exercise, which started me riding a bicycle rather than working out in our basement gym. After being knocked down twice while riding on the highways, my biking was reduced to cruising the subdivision. Then came the bike path, a safe thoroughfare stretching from Freedom Hill to Metropolitan Beach. With renewed interest in biking, I bought a 21-speed mountain bike. Twenty one speeds? I thought I would never have a need for that many gears, but when the wind comes up you would be surprised how many gears are useful. After a few trips to the beach, I noticed the many natural antenna supports available and I started taking my QRP rig and some wire antennas along. I have had many pleasurable hours operating K8RJA/8 (my old call) from either the beach or other local parks.

Mobile Thinking

The author on his recumbent BikeE. Unfortunately, these bikes are no longer manufactured.

I admit I am one of those hams who, sooner or later, start thinking about operating mobile, pedestrian mobile or bicycle mobile. I started thinking about setting up a bicycle mobile HF station after I ran across VE3JCs Web page where he displayed his HF mobile bike setup. During the summer I ride from my house to Metro Park daily, weather permitting, about 12 miles round trip. This would give me ample time to indulge myself in my radio hobby while at the same time improving my physical condition.

This started me thinking about operating while biking, but I put it on the back burner, so to speak, because of the antenna problems. A couple of warm spring days encouraged me to resume riding. I hopped on the bike and pedaled to Metro, but on the return trip it was against the wind, so I geared down, and traveling about 4 MPH, I had lots of time to think and I started planning an HF installation on my bike. By the time I arrived back home, I had it all worked out in my head.

The first thing I did was to bolt an antenna mirror‑mount bracket to the frame. After trying every conceivable location, I settled on the main tube supporting the seat post. This put the Hustler mast at about a 45 degree angle, which serves to keep the antenna clear of strikes from low branches. Then I had to find a place to mount the mini paddle where I could reach it without taking my hand off of the handlebar grip. I tie-wrapped the paddle under the grip where I could reach it while still being able to steer, shift gears and use the brakes. Then I stuffed the 20 meter MFJ Cub and the battery into the handlebar bag, donned the headphones and went for a test ride. After a couple of T-E-S-T transmissions, I tuned around and heard an N5 station calling CQ. This would be the proof of the pudding, as they say. I answered with my call and was rewarded with a 559 signal report from Texas. This, from 1 W output to a mobile antenna mounted on a bicycle! I was pumped as I returned home with plans to make the radio installation more secure and in a better position for tuning. I also needed to find a more comfortable position for the paddle.

Not the Only One Out There

The antenna mounted on the rear frame of the bike.

Isn't it amazing how finding something new in radio can fill you with enthusiasm? I'm thinking of some long rides this summer while talking to the world from my bike/mobile. In looking for ideas for this project, I was surprised to learn that there are hundreds of hams operating while biking. True, a large number of them are operating 2 meters, which doesn't present all the problems of an HF setup, but they still are having a good time and hamming it up. Many of them belong to a club dedicated to this activity -- the Bicycle Mobile Hams of America (BMHA) is a special Amateur Radio club for those who enjoy communicating over the airwaves as they ride to work or travel with fellow enthusiasts in their free time. BMHA members also play an important public service role by providing communications support and emergency assistance, if needed, during big bike races and tours. The Bicycle Mobile Hams of America boasts more than 450 members in 43 states and six countries.

On one of my trips to the bike shop I saw some recumbent bikes and asked the sales person if I could try one. He agreed to let me try a BikeE; I was sold as soon as I sat on it and realized how comfortable it was. Since then my mountain bike has been stored in the garage. The recumbent BikeE, to be precise, is more of a semi-recumbent vehicle as compared with the "true" recumbent bikes that position the rider in a more prone attitude. As can be seen in the picture, it has a seat that offers a large area of support unlike a standard "wedgie" seat.

The Radio Installation

The K1 "mounted" on the author. By using your body as a mount, access to the controls is easy.

The aluminum channel frame precluded mounting the antenna in the same manner as the previous installation on the mountain bike, but on the other hand, it was a simple matter to bolt the antenna mounting bracket to a short piece of 2 × 2 × ⅛ inch aluminum angle, which in turn was bolted to a pair of BikeE accessory mounting brackets. It was then clamped via the quick release cams to the rear of the frame. The antenna is a Hustler mobile mast and 20 meter resonator. I chose 20 meters because of the light weight and small size of the resonator -- plus it seems to be a good band for mobile operation. As in the previous installation, the antenna is angled to the rear to clear low overhead branches along the bike path where I ride.

A bracket was prefabbed for mounting the Palm Mini Paddle on the handlebar, positioned so as to allow operation without taking my hand away from the handle grip. This done, the next problem was locating the K1 where it would be insulated from the vibration and jolts of riding over rough surfaces. I came to an impasse at that point and have decided for lack of a better idea to use the "body mount." I made a harness for the K1 from some web straps left over from a couple of discarded bags of some sort. The rig is suspended from one strap around my neck and secured to my stomach area by another strap around my waist, both attached to the K1 by nylon bolts in the threaded holes provided in the sides. This affords easy access to the K1 controls and when not operating mobile, there is no bracket to be removed.

A 12 V, 10 cell NiCd battery is housed in a small bag attached to the handlebar. In order to copy signals and still be able to hear outside sounds, a pair of RadioShack "ear buds" top off the installation.

After purchasing an MP-1 antenna, I found it to be a more compact antenna for the bike and still able to get good results, and have since replaced the Hustler with it.

I am sorry to say that the BikeE is no longer being manufactured, and the only ones available are from dealers' stock. But whichever bike you choose, a word of caution: Whenever operating a radio, whether riding a bike or driving a vehicle, mobile operation can be hazardous to your health if you don't pay attention to what's going on around you. Pilots call it SA, or situation awareness. Don't get so distracted by the radio that you lose your SA.

Helpful Hints

I made a score of contacts while riding to and from the beach during the summer season and I learned a few things that I want to pass along.

I picked 20 meters because the antenna is relatively small and surprisingly enough, the bike frame was enough of a counterpoise to allow a good match to the antenna. The use of "ear buds" or Walkman-type headphones allow you to hear outside sounds, which is important when near traffic areas. The paddle was located so as not to interfere with steering.

As bicycles vibrate on rough surfaces, the radio should be protected from the vibration.

The antenna is mounted on a rearward angle which helps prevent strikes from overhead branches. Ride on a bike path. When you operate and ride in the street with traffic, you are asking for trouble.

Last and most important: Stay alert to your surroundings. Situational awareness is key to survival! The reason I do not operate bicycle mobile anymore is that at one point I could not remember crossing a busy intersection on my way to the beach.

If you do decide to give it a try, be careful. It can be a lot of fun, but again, it can also be dangerous.

Dick Arnold, AF8X, of Clinton Township, Michigan, is a retired construction electrician who has had an interest in Morse code since studying it as a Boy Scout. When his son, Gary W8TVR, got interested in ham radio and built a Heathkit transmitter, Dick got involved, and due to Gary's prodding, went from Novice to Amateur Extra in short order. He only operates QRP CW these days, mostly from portable locations. He doesn't care about DX and would rather have an interesting "ragchew" with any station. For years Dick operated mobile from his motor home and later as bicycle mobile, but more recently he's been only fixed portable. He has both the Elecraft K1 and KX-1 that he built from kits.

Previous: Surfin': It's the Shacktopus, Baby!

Next: QRP Community: Starting at the Beginning Again (Part 1 of 2).