Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, I demonstrate how easy it is to check into a 2-meter Single Side Band (SSB) net without a home station by setting up a complete portable ham radio station right from the tailgate of my truck. This is the Saturday morning Middle Tennessee 2M SSB net, and I’m using a Yaesu FT-857D, an Elk log periodic antenna on a 20-foot portable mast, and a portable battery power box for true off-grid operation.
Whether you’re into VHF weak signal work, portable ham radio, field operations, POTA/SOTA-style setups, or simply want to get active on 144 MHz SSB, this video shows the full process—from setup to checking into the net.
🔧 Gear Featured in This Video:• Yaesu FT-857D HF/VHF/UHF all-mode transceiver• Elk Log Periodic antenna for 2m/440• 20 ft portable mast• Portable battery power box• Tailgate portable ham radio setup
🎯 What You’ll See:• How to run 2 meter SSB portable• How to align and aim an Elk Log Periodic for best signal• Tips for powering a portable VHF station• Real-world demo of checking into a local SSB net• Proof that you don’t need a base station to get on 2m SSB!
If you enjoy ham radio portable operations, VHF SSB nets, or want to see what’s possible with minimal gear in the field, this video is for you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and drop your call sign in the comments!
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In this video, I demonstrate how easy it is to check into a 2-meter Single Side Band (SSB) net without a home station by setting up a complete portable ham radio station right from the tailgate of my truck. This is the Saturday morning Middle Tennessee 2M SSB net, and I’m using a Yaesu FT-857D, an Elk log periodic antenna on a 20-foot portable mast, and a portable battery power box for true off-grid operation.
Whether you’re into VHF weak signal work, portable ham radio, field operations, POTA/SOTA-style setups, or simply want to get active on 144 MHz SSB, this video shows the full process—from setup to checking into the net.
🔧 Gear Featured in This Video:• Yaesu FT-857D HF/VHF/UHF all-mode transceiver• Elk Log Periodic antenna for 2m/440• 20 ft portable mast• Portable battery power box• Tailgate portable ham radio setup
🎯 What You’ll See:• How to run 2 meter SSB portable• How to align and aim an Elk Log Periodic for best signal• Tips for powering a portable VHF station• Real-world demo of checking into a local SSB net• Proof that you don’t need a base station to get on 2m SSB!
If you enjoy ham radio portable operations, VHF SSB nets, or want to see what’s possible with minimal gear in the field, this video is for you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and drop your call sign in the comments!
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
