by 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 ReadingFROM BRIAN’S E-MAIL OF AUGUST 3, 2013 Good Saturday everyone. Today Frank/WB4CIW, Jeff/KDØUHL and myself/NØVSA made a trip up to the 146.895 repeater site to do some long needed inspections and repairs. Thank you Jeff and Frank for your help. One of the big drivers for doing what we did was the “noise” we have…
Continue Readingby Padre – WØWPD Considering I’ve done this many times in a different venue I’ll do it again here! I mean preaching to the choir! Now is the time (if not later than usual) to check all components in your antenna system. Some of the following suggestions can’t be done very conveniently. I know that!…
Continue ReadingCourtesy of Jack, WØDSV The Global Positioning System is the world’s only global utility. Operated by the dedicated men and women of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., GPS is also the world’s largest military satellite constellation. The 2nd SOPS has three missions: global navigation, time transfer and nuclear detection….
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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