As many of you may already know, I was recently jumped into a gang. I wrote about the experience several weeks ago in this blog. But that event got me thinking about a few things, including how I pack differently when preparing for a trip to the park.
To fully understand why, though, we need to go back and talk a little more about the gang itself.
The Brass Knuckle Gang (BKG) is a group of CW operators who not only love Morse code and making contacts over the air, but also enjoy the challenges that come with operating on the 2-meter band. Now, many hams would argue that the biggest challenge of 2-meter VHF communication is its reliance on line-of-sight propagation. And while that can certainly be a limitation, I would argue that it isn’t the biggest problem at all.
The biggest problem with the 2-meter band is that nobody seems to be on it! Hams all across the United States complain that 146.520 MHz, the national 2-meter simplex calling frequency, can go months without hearing a peep. Local repeaters often sit quiet, too, except for the occasional net or brief conversation.
In an era of “use it or lose it,” a number of amateur radio operators are trying to turn that situation around.
Enter the Brass Knuckle Gang.
What Is the Brass Knuckle Gang?
The purpose of the BKG is twofold: to revitalize the use of Morse code (CW) on the 2-meter VHF band and to encourage more amateur radio operators, particularly Technician-class licensees and newcomers, to get involved. The group accomplishes this in several ways.
1. Lowering the barrier to entry
Morse code is traditionally associated with the HF bands, where getting started can involve more expensive radios, larger antennas, and additional equipment. The BKG encourages operators to take a different approach by using affordable, accessible 2-meter handheld transceivers (HTs).
With a simple handheld radio, operators can practice sending and receiving Morse code and then use that same radio to get on the air and make contacts. No elaborate station is required to get started.
2. Providing a mentorship environment
Learning Morse code can be intimidating, especially when you hear experienced operators sending at speeds that seem impossibly fast. The BKG provides a friendly, low-pressure environment where beginners can practice, make mistakes, improve their skills, and learn from one another.
The goal isn’t to see who can send the fastest. It’s to get people on the air, build confidence, and have fun along the way.
3. Keeping VHF frequencies active
The group also encourages hams to make better use of local 2-meter simplex frequencies that might otherwise remain quiet or be used primarily for voice communication. After all, a radio sitting on a shelf isn’t making any contacts. Getting on the air, calling CQ, and answering another operator’s call helps bring those frequencies to life.
4. Fostering local community
This is, at least to me, the most exciting part of the Brass Knuckle Gang. By turning Morse code practice into a tongue-in-cheek “gang,” the group makes learning fun. Members receive assigned membership numbers, connect with other operators, and participate in local radio meetups.
And those local meetups are important. They encourage hams to get out from behind their radios, meet face-to-face, build friendships, and become more involved in local amateur radio clubs. In a hobby that can sometimes be a solitary pursuit, having a reason to meet up with other operators is a big deal.
The gang, in a way, “forces” local contacts and meetups. Not literally, of course! But it gives members a common purpose and an excuse to get together, practice their CW, and enjoy the hobby with others who share their interests.
And That Brings Me Back to the Park
So what does all of this have to do with how I pack for a trip to the park? More than you might think.
Being part of the Brass Knuckle Gang has changed how I think about portable operating. I must admit, as I approach 1500 park activations, it has almost become routine… even easy. Thus, being a part of the BKG has produced another challenge; a way to think differently. How can I better achieve 2m contacts when in the park?
I suspect the answer may not be as simple as putting up a better antenna. Antenna height, polarization, feed line, and even the direction in which the antenna is pointed can all make a difference. And here in the flatlands of Northwest Ohio, we don’t have many hills to help us out!
That’s where I hope the collective wisdom of the amateur radio community can help. There are plenty of hams out there with far more experience in portable VHF operation than I have, and I’m hoping some of you will be willing to share what you’ve learned.
So here’s my challenge to you: If you were heading to a park with a 2-meter handheld and wanted to maximize your chances of making simplex contacts, what would you bring?
Would you build a ground-plane antenna? Hang a dipole from a tree? Set up a J-pole? Try a flowerpot antenna or a jungle antenna? Or is there another design that has worked particularly well for you?
I’m especially interested in antennas that are lightweight, easy to deploy, and practical for someone operating from a picnic table or a spot under the trees. After all, the goal is to make contacts, not spend the entire afternoon setting up an antenna farm!
I’m approaching 1,500 park activations, but there’s always something new to learn. And thanks to the Brass Knuckle Gang, I’ve got a new reason to experiment, get creative, and see just how much I can squeeze out of a little 2-meter radio modified to run CW.
So, let’s hear it! What works for you? Help me get a few more CW contacts in the log and put some life back into the 2-meter band. And as I head off to the park… Listen for me, I will be the lonely soul pounding brass on 2 meters hoping someone will hear.
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