Our local ARES group recently got an NVIS (Near Vertical Incident Skywave) antenna for tactical HF communication within the County. During a couple of test drives of the antenna with the group we tested from 6 meters to 80 meters just to see where we could poke holes. As with all things HF, and perhaps…
Continue ReadingI have been experimenting with a matchbox end fed antenna that I got from nelson_antennas on ebay. He makes them and sells them on ebay. Here’s a link to his page https://www.ebay.com/usr/nelson_antennas I have had great luck with this little guy. I was able to hear Australia last night with a Yaesu 450 and a lazy…
Continue ReadingBelow are videos of the Dick Mountain Repeater site antenna inspection using a drone. We also inspected the surrounding trees a lot.
Continue Readingby Padre WØWPD The cold of the winter has left us. The heat of the summer is still a way off. Traditionally Spring is a choice time for antenna work. So is the Fall. Also, “they” say, if the weather is not perfect the work will be more successful. That’s an old ham tradition. Wait…
Continue Readingby PADRE – WØWPD There’s an old, but not accurately certifiable tradition about putting up Ham antennas in bad weather. It goes something like the following: any antenna erected during bad weather (snow, sleet, rain and/or heavy wind) will work and perform very well. There’s an implied corollary which says antennas put up and/or serviced…
Continue Readingby Pete, NEØT Have you been in your car on the air and noticed the so-called “picket fencing” where the signal seems to turn on and off quickly as though you are hearing it through the staves of a picket fence which you are driving next to? If you slow the car you will find that…
Continue Readingby Pete, NEØT We are familiar with waves. We see them in water. Drop a stone in and a wave travels outward from the spot. This is called a “traveling wave”. If another wave in the water travels back toward the spot, the two waves will add to set up what’s called a Standing Wave. You can…
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