Inventory Station Components
30 minutesList radio, power supply, antenna, feedline, and measurement tools before assembly.
Field context
This workflow is part of 3 niche fields
Complete guide for first radio setup — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
List radio, power supply, antenna, feedline, and measurement tools before assembly.
Calculate current draw at transmit power and confirm supply headroom.
Model coax attenuation at operating frequency and run length to budget link margin.
Check SWR across intended band segments before full-power operation.
Make short test transmissions and log signal reports on local repeater or simplex.
Size DC supply and wire gauge for peak transmit current.
Validate antenna match before full-power operation.
Estimate feedline loss at operating frequency and length.
Cross-check coax attenuation with manufacturer specs.
Diagnose mismatch when SWR is elevated.
Reference current draw by power level for supply sizing.
| Radio Class | TX Power | Typ Approx Current |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld | 5 W | 1.5–2.5 A |
| Mobile FM | 50 W | 10–14 A |
| Base HF | 100 W | 20–25 A |
Even a basic meter saves radios from high-reflected-power damage.
Mark band and length at both ends — simplifies future troubleshooting.
Switching supplies without RF filtering can raise noise floor on HF.