Article 18R3A The CountyComm GP5/SSB: my go-to shortwave radio for hiking

The CountyComm GP5/SSB: my go-to shortwave radio for hiking

by
Thomas
from The SWLing Post on (#18R3A)
IMG_20160227_124105134.jpg

My two hiking companions: the CountyComm GP5/SSB and Hazel the dog.

Posting the Blinq deal a few moments ago reminded me that my favorite shortwave radio to use while hiking/walking is the CountyComm GP5/SSB.

I have CountyComm's custom GP5 case which I clip to my belt or backpack. While hiking, I find it handy to open the case from the top, pull the radio out and operate/tune it with only one hand. Indeed, the vertical form factor of the GP5/SSB is ergonomically-ideal; I can control almost all of the radio functions without having to use two hands. A huge bonus while hiking on uneven terrain!

Typically, when I start a hike, I enable an EMT scan and within a minute or so, the GP5/SSB populates temporary memory positions with all of the signals it can easily receive. When you're in the middle of the woods-far from sources of radio interference-you'll be amazed by what you can hear.

GP5SSB-Top.jpg

Of course, with the antenna fully extended, one does have to watch out for low-hanging branches, etc.

IMG_20160227_124112841.jpg

Since the telescoping antenna doesn't swivel, it's much easier to hold the radio in a way that the antenna points forward while you hike (bonus: it'll catch all of the spider webs across the trail before your face does!).

GP5SSB-MW-Antenna.jpg

So far, I've never used the external mediumwave ferrite bar antenna while hiking-I worry that I could drop the radio and damage either the antenna or the 1/8"^3 antenna jack.

I typically listen to the GP5 with headphones unless I'm walking a trail during the time of year when black bears are active (in which case the speaker helps alert bears that I'm in the neighborhood).

GP5SSB-Front.jpg

Of course, there are a few other radio models with an identical vertical form-factor-most notably, the:

If you're not familiar with the CountyComm GP5/SSB, click here to read previous posts. I also featured the CountyComm GP5/DSP (Tecsun PL-360) in an ultra portable shoot out in 2014-click here to read.

Do you have a favorite shortwave portable for hiking, biking or cycling? Please comment!

External Content
Source RSS or Atom Feed
Feed Location http://swling.com/blog/feed/
Feed Title The SWLing Post
Feed Link https://swling.com/blog
Reply 0 comments