Famous Ham Radio Prepper, Marlon Brando FO5GJ Tropical South Pacific

by Greyline Performance March 23, 2024

The elusive Marlon Brando FO5GJ, Ham Radio Prepper of the South Pacific

Did you know he was an Amateur Radio operator? He found adventure and anonymity, seeing the world from his Tiki ham radio shack. The stuff of dreams…

Many of us have dreamed of an exotic ham location or piece of gear, even if it’s just a better antenna in our backyard to live vicariously through those that escape to the land of adventures. Some of us have experienced it…

On that note, here's a peak into the life of Marlon Brando FO5GJ, his ham radio station, and his Yagi antenna proudly pictured in this LA Times Article. He really did it! Check this out…

fo5gj, ham radio, station, Marlon Brando, prepper

FO5GJ, Marlon Brando’s Yagi Antenna on Tetiaroa, circa 1979. (Images Press / Getty Images)

Have you dreamt of a tropical outpost or mountain top QTH for your ham radio adventures? Many of us have... here's one close to us:

Legends in the Making: KL2A and his lifelong friends of Ham Radio (people like you and me!)

Maybe like Marlon Brando, and several amongst the ladies and gentlemen of our hobby today and certainly many friends of our own KL2A has experienced some of these tales of old first hand. Back in Jon's youth, sixteen to be exact, (KL2A) wasn't chasing fireflies like other lads. He was chasing adventures, the sound of morse code, his ears glued to the ham radio, yearning for faraway lands. The crackle of the airwaves carried not just chatter, but stories of exotic escapes. Tuning into contests and pile-ups over the North Pole from Alaska, Jon honed his skills, becoming a familiar CW signal on the bands for many overseas radio ops. Seasoned hams, their stories weathered by experiences similar to Hemingway, Brando and King Hussain of Jordan who popularized the romance of famous people of Ham Radio, recognized the spark in his Morse code – a kindred spirit with dreams as vast as the Oceans. Legend has it they saw an opportunity to share their own slices of paradise, inviting the young KL2A to experience their extraordinary QTHs around the globe. Starting at a mere sixteen, Jon embraced these adventures, accepting these invites, and over time of operating these super stations of renown, built his version of a legacy that's a true testament to the ham radio spirit. Here are a few callsigns (locations) Jon has visited over the years:

DX Calls used: Most of the travel occurred from 16-30 years old (before XYL + 5 kids) NL7GP, KL7Y (NL7G, WL7E), A52X, KP2A, PJ1B (PJ4B, PJ9B, PJ9EE), PJ2/KL2A, PJ2T, HR1B, YS1X, TG0AA, V47G, CT9M, KH7R, KH7X, VE7SV, VE7ZZZ, VP2VF, VP5M, VP5/KL2A, P40V, JH1AJT, 7J1YAJ, 9K2HN, A92, S21YX, S21YZ, A5A, HS0ZKL, N1V (Team USA Boston WRTC 2014), 4O/KL2A, ZF2A, ZF2B, ZF2GP.

These days, Jon is content giving back to the hobby that has been so good to him. He's often urging hams he touches that "If I can, anyone can do it." You can start right where you are, in your small lot or HOA community garden. XYLs approve, guaranteed. Let's get you on the air and well on your way to your own version of ham radio adventure. If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do. Ham Radio is fun again, pass it on...

Do you have more information on FO5GJ? Please share with us, we'd like to post more stories and dialogue, right here.

Check out the antenna selection, here.

Current Promo:
$200-$500 off All Antenna Orders
+ All Kits (Ground kit, Feed kit, Flag kit)
+ Free Shipping (USA)
+ Low cost to DX

How to Order a Flagpole Antenna, checklist.


HOA Flagpole Antennas View similar products »	DX Vertical Antennas View similar products »

Our Mission:
At Greyline, it's our Mission to serve you by offering higher-quality products that truly enhance your Ham Radio experiences. Standing up to Hurricanes is just a bonus. Antennas that work Real DX and that the ladies can love too, now that is a win/win. That's smarter, stronger, and more elegant for your and your family's security. We are delighted to serve you.

Let's enjoy the adventure, together. Until next time...

73 Greyline Performance
Ph. 435-200-4902

Ham Radio is fun again! Pass it on...

RELATED ARTICLES

I am providing my first impression report regarding my 24FT HOA antenna. Installation was easy once I was able to figure out the instructions. The twin lead spacers were missing so I inserted a section of PVC into the lower section to insulate the twin lead. I’m using an IC7300, MFJ 993brt remote tuner, Balun Design, Inc model 117t balun which takes coax as input and twin lead as output. I then feed it through an Array Solutions model AS309H arrestor which takes twin lead as both input and output. With the remote tuner: SWR readings are 1.2 in the cw portion of 40 meters and 1.5 in the ssb portion SWR readings are 1.1 all the way across 20 meters (my favorite band) SWR readings are 1.2 in the cw portion of 15 meters and 1.4 in the ssb portion I am a cw guy and have worked all over Europe and South America as well as New Zealand and am getting very good signal reports. Needless to say, I am very pleased with this antenna so far. It works way better than I expected I haven’t yet had to operate in windy or rainy conditions so there is more to learn. Howard Glassman K4OBC

Great pole, excellent service and communications.

I purchased the pole without the antenna and am very happy with the quality and ease of installation.

Great addition easy install

Added this to my 20ft flagpole for 160 m work. Able to make contacts, looking forward to up the power. Great flagpole!

DX and the Greyline antenna

What a wonderful Antenna I have made contacts in over 50 country's so far in less than three weeks easy to assemble and works.

24' Flagpole does the job.

I purchase a 20’ Flagpole antenna that also included the 4’ extension. I installed the flagpole the end of January here at my home in central Florida. The install was easy with only a couple of small issues that were easily resolved by just thinking things through. I installed the antenna in the back yard in the HOA and have not had any complaints.

The performance of the antenna has been very good. The SWR on most band has been =< 1.5 except the 12 meter band. The SWR is just under 2.0. The DX into Europe and Africa has been good. Have done a lot of FT4 and FT8 with good reports. SSB has been good with good signal reports depending on propagation. All of my contacts have been made on 70 – 100 watts. I am using a SGC 230 tuner mounted at the base of the antenna

Most of my contacts have been 10 MHz – 28 MHZ. I have done some work on 40 meters but not much. Not much of an night owl so I don’t get very much of a change to use the antenna on 40 – 160 meters. The SWR is on these bands is 1.0 – 1.3, so I would expect good performance if I had more power.

At this point in time the only negative I have to report is the flag. It has been flying on most days in 5 to 15 MPH winds. I have taken it down when we had higher winds had exceed the 15 MHP. I noticed this morning the flag was torn and shredded. I took the flag down and noticed the flag was made by Anley and it was manufactured in China. I wouldn’t expect a flag to be in this condition after 3 months. I had USA made flags last over a year flying in much stronger winds that this one.

I'm only giving a 4 because of the flag issue. I will reach out to Greyline to see what they have to say.

We are so glad to hear that your Antenna has FB SWRs from 160-10M and congrats on the great DX! Fun... We buy our flags from several USA companies one of which is Anley, Inc., which is also a US company based in California. We are happy to replace the flag.

US GOV reports 90-days is the expected Flag lifespan. 'The U.S. Government generally expects a nylon or cotton flag to last 90 days based on being flown daily from sunrise to sunset - but not during periods of inclement weather. Tests have shown that, in some cases, a flag flown 24 hours a day will last only one-fourth as long as one flown only during the daylight hours.' - again, happy to help and we will contact you directly for a replacement.

Remember, Ham Radio is fun again, Please pass it on to your friends and family. - 73m Greyline Performance

Famous Ham Radio Prepper, Marlon Brando FO5GJ Tropical South Pacific

The elusive Marlon Brando FO5GJ, Ham Radio Prepper of the South Pacific

How to Order a Flagpole Antenna, checklist.

HOA Flagpole Antennas
View similar products »

DX Vertical Antennas
View similar products »

Leave a comment

Let customers speak for us

Famous Ham Radio Prepper, Marlon Brando FO5GJ Tropical South Pacific

The elusive Marlon Brando FO5GJ, Ham Radio Prepper of the South Pacific

How to Order a Flagpole Antenna, checklist.

HOA Flagpole AntennasView similar products »

DX Vertical AntennasView similar products »

Leave a comment

Let customers speak for us

HOA Flagpole Antennas
View similar products »

DX Vertical Antennas
View similar products »