Long Distance QSO on 70 cm UHF Ham Band? You Bet!

Greetings fellow hams and curious minds! VU3PXG here, back with another exciting experience on the airwaves. Today, I want to share a QSO that proves distance isn’t everything when it comes to successful communication in ham radio. (real QSO Video at the end)

The Setup: Many hams believe a powerful base station and elaborate antenna systems are essential for long-range communication. But this QSO throws that notion out the window! I was operating from my shack and a rooftop antenna in Bhopal City, using a Baofeng UV-5R, a popular and affordable handheld radio. My antenna was a simple vertical ground plane, a great choice for urban environments.

On the other end of the QSO was VU3PXI, located a surprising 25 kilometers away at his farm in the Samardha range of Raisen district. Raviraj, like myself, was using a Baofeng, the UV-9R model with the stock rubber ducky antenna!

Making the Connection: Despite the seemingly modest equipment, and after failing on 2 meter VHF ham band, we established a clear and enjoyable QSO using FM mode, 8 watts of RF power on 70 cm UHF ham band. We exchanged signal reports, and both sides reported a strong 59+ signal. This was a fantastic testament to the capabilities of these radios and the effectiveness of even basic antennas in the right conditions.

The Power of Experimentation: This QSO highlights the importance of experimentation in ham radio. Don’t be afraid to try different setups and conditions. You might be surprised at what you can achieve with relatively simple equipment. Of course, following proper antenna placement guidelines and respecting power limitations are always crucial.

Sharing the Experience: To further illustrate this accomplishment, I’ve created a YouTube video documenting the QSO. In the video, you’ll see the equipment used and hear the audio of our conversation. I encourage you to check it out and see for yourself the power of ham radio, even with basic setups.

So, what are you waiting for? Get on the air and see what kind of connections you can make! You might be surprised at what you achieve, just like we did today.

73, Kshitij Mishra – VU3PXG

P.S. Be sure to leave a comment below and share your own experiences with long-distance QSOs on seemingly limited setups!