TechTips are occasional brief posts describing easy ways to do difficult things. What is a balun? The simplest definition is "a device for connecting a balanced line to an unbalanced line." Many hams use the term generically to refer to the device that goes in between the antenna wire and the coax. In some cases … Continue reading TechTip #5: When is a balun not a balun?
Author: John VA3KOT
I'm a Canadian amateur radio operator based in Owen Sound, Ontario. I hold an Advanced license and I am passionate about two things: operating outdoors and CW. My blog is focused on the experimental aspects of the hobby. I love to try out new ideas and, being retired, I have the luxury of time to spend doing so. Please like, comment and follow if you enjoy what you read here.
Lazy Susan – a directed energy field antenna for the 20 m band
Ham Radio Outside the Box has been re-examining the 3/8 wave vertical antenna with shortened raised radials that was first published here in 2024. She was called "Long Tall Sally" (after the 1950s Little Richard song). Her vertical radiator wire was 25ft long and the two raised radial wires were each 5ft long. Apparently the … Continue reading Lazy Susan – a directed energy field antenna for the 20 m band
TechTip#4: How to support a raised counterpoise wire on rocky, sandy or snowy ground
TechTips are occasional brief posts describing easy ways to do difficult things. Picture this scenario: a portable operator is setting up an antenna in a park on a nice sunny day in summer. The antenna requires one or more raised counterpoise wires. After raising the antenna, he walks to the far end of the counterpoise … Continue reading TechTip#4: How to support a raised counterpoise wire on rocky, sandy or snowy ground
Repost: Introducing an antenna called “Long Tall Sally”
Way back in February 2024 Ham Radio Outside the Box published a post titled "A Most Unusual Vertical Antenna for 20m". It introduced the idea that the radiating element of a raised quarter wave vertical antenna could be stretched to a much longer length with a corresponding shortening of its radials. The idea is worth … Continue reading Repost: Introducing an antenna called “Long Tall Sally”
Dipoles on the Air
Not another "x-On The Air" program surely? Yes, that's right, not another "x-On The Air program" at all. Instead this is a post about why I have come around to the way of thinking that simple dipoles may be the best antennas for portable field operations after all. I will present my case and let … Continue reading Dipoles on the Air
Are you a DXer?
Ham Radio Outside the Box received this interesting email from DX Marathon Ambassador · Chile, Luis Soto Neira CA6SNT. If you've been on the air working DX this year, you almost certainly already have a 2026 DX Marathon score without knowing it. I help promote the DX Marathon, and I'm trying to get hams from … Continue reading Are you a DXer?
TechTip #3 Improving the “Titanic” 40m field expedient backpack portable antenna
TechTips on Ham Radio Outside the Box are brief posts of a technical nature. Back in October 2024 Ham Radio Outside the Box introduced an interesting design for a compact, field portable antenna for the 40m band. Named the "Titanic", it was a T-antenna similar in appearance to the one used on the tragically famous … Continue reading TechTip #3 Improving the “Titanic” 40m field expedient backpack portable antenna
No loading coils, no top-hats, no transformers, no ununs, no baluns, no tuners, no radials – just the perfect antenna?
Just imagine, if you could get rid of all those lossy loading coils, impedance transformers, ununs, baluns, tuners and ground radial trip wires. What do you have left? Could it be the most perfect, the ultimate, 100% efficient, dream antenna? Yes, yes; it's a dream! But back in the real world ... I spent most … Continue reading No loading coils, no top-hats, no transformers, no ununs, no baluns, no tuners, no radials – just the perfect antenna?
There is a “small” problem with the QRP Labs QMX transceiver – and an easy fix
Why was it born so beautiful, why was it born so small? I have to admit to a love/hate relationship with my microscopic, yet bursting with features, QMX transceiver. This marvel of technology is densely packed into a shirt pocket-sized sturdy aluminum case. Just how did the R&D department at Turkey's QRP Labs manage to … Continue reading There is a “small” problem with the QRP Labs QMX transceiver – and an easy fix
Zero-gravity CW paddles?
Ok, I confess, I'm a bit of a klutz when it comes to sending Morse Code. I started out, many years ago, with straight keys. I never got along with the typical flat knobs, I preferred "Navy Knobs" - the kind with a big round thing on top that you can really get a firm … Continue reading Zero-gravity CW paddles?
