Exploring 4 Metres – A New Local Opportunity

Recently, I noticed that my local repeater group has added a 4 metre (70 MHz) parrot repeater. This immediately caught my attention, as 4m is a band I have always been interested in experimenting with, but have never fully managed to exploit from my current QTH.

Challenges of 4 m at My QTH

In all honesty, I have not had much success on 4 m so far. The main limiting factor is my location. Putting up an effective antenna for 70 MHz is not straightforward at my QTH, particularly when compared with the relative ease of VHF/UHF or even some HF installations. Antenna size, siting, and compromises all become much more noticeable on this band.

That said, the addition of a parrot repeater locally provides a very useful tool. Being able to hear my own signal repeated back allows me to experiment with equipment and antennas, and to understand what is, and is not, working from home.

Current 4 m Equipment

I started to build collection of 4 m-capable equipment:

Anytone AT-588 mobile transceiver Paired with several antenna options:

MyDEL 4 m 70 MHz mobile whip

Moonraker SQBM412 70 MHz base vertical

A simple dipole

A home-brew flowerpot antenna cut for 4 m

Anytone AT-288 handheld transceiver Covering 66–88 MHz, which makes it ideal for casual monitoring and short-range testing on the band.

Each antenna has its own compromises, and part of the enjoyment of 4 m is experimenting to see what performs best under real-world conditions rather than on paper.

Looking Ahead – Portable and Mobile Operation

I suspect that 4 m will really come into its own for me away from home. As we move into the summer months, I plan to spend some time operating from better locations, either mobile from the car or portable with a simple mast and antenna setup.

Higher ground, clearer take-off, and fewer local obstructions should make a noticeable difference, and the parrot repeater will again be invaluable for quick signal checks and antenna comparisons.

Final Thoughts

The 4 m band often sits quietly between HF and 2 m, but it has its own unique propagation characteristics and plenty of potential. With local infrastructure improving and a bit more experimentation planned, I am looking forward to giving 70 MHz the attention it deserves.

As always, half the fun is in the experimenting, and 4 m certainly provides plenty of scope for that.