PRC-320 HF manpack: P.L.O.T.A.

In the past couple of years, and especially since the Pandemic, there’s been a remarkable explosion of interest among Hams for operating outdoors. With the advent of smaller, lighter and less power-hungry radios and antennas built for portable deployment, Hams everywhere are getting out of their shacks and into the parks to make contacts. On any given day, there are likely more radio enthusiasts doing sanctioned P.O.T.A activations — Parks on the Air — than sitting around the house dusting their stations. It’s great to see the hobby blossom like this.

I love operating outdoors, and this radio was born to it. Though old and heavy, it’s very much at home adventuring in the field—even when the field is so close to home.

PRC-320 HF MANPACK: picnic-bench beachhead

Sometimes you just want to operate comfortably, with a park bench to yourself, a little DX-ing fluid at the ready, and a sunset for company. Helps if the bands are open and stations are listening.

MILSPEC radios are built to be heard, and the PRC-320 can work pileups even with its middling 30 watt High Power setting. In reality, it’s ~ 15-20 watts on transmit. I get compliments on the audio. Some stations love the “punch” and the “DX-y” voice quality.

PRO TIP: Say “portable” enough—when you’re portable, of course—and operators will let you in, especially when points count.

the most important prc-320 manpack accessory

During its service life, the RT/UK PRC-320 Manpack HF Transceiver deployed wherever the British Army was sent. That likely ran from frozen wilderness to scorching desert. So the radio was built to handle extremes (as well as live underwater for a time; but that’s another video) with stable operating ranges from -37ºC to +52ºC. This video short pays homage to the upper range.

Another in my occasional series of adventures with my old, heavy and extremely capable military radio.