Ditch That Automatic Tuner!

I was on the brink of pulling the trigger on the purchase of a new automatic antenna tuner for my portable rig recently, when something unexpected happened that slammed the brakes on the acquisition. For a few weeks I have been operating my Yaesu FT-891 with an LDG Z-11 automatic antenna tuner, but there are … Continue reading Ditch That Automatic Tuner! →

How Does a Ground Tuning Unit Work?

I have spent many hours in my reclining thinking chair, posting ideas on the back of my eyelids while contemplating this very question. How indeed does a Ground Tuning Unit (GTU, aka Artificial Ground) actually work? I have a fairly reasonable comprehension of the theory behind antenna tuners, but tuning an entire planet? Now that's … Continue reading How Does a Ground Tuning Unit Work? →

Ham Radio? What’s that?

Now we have moved into the summer season I have been getting quite a few folks stopping by while I am operating in a public park. Frankly, I prefer to be left alone to get on with my activation, but if somebody stops and starts to ask questions I feel I really should respond. Who … Continue reading Ham Radio? What’s that? →

The NVIS Illusion

I don't think there is any subject that is so misunderstood by hams as NVIS. I hope I can help by sharing some of what I have learned that may dispel some of the myths. NVIS is an abbreviation of Near Vertical Incidence Skywave. There is no such thing as a NVIS antenna. The term … Continue reading The NVIS Illusion →

My Custom Portable POTA Pack – does it work?

How many ways can you operate when activating a park for the Parks On The Air (POTA) program? I count 4 ways; I have tried them all but one is my favorite. #1 When I read the accounts of other activators on social media I conclude the most popular way is to operate from inside … Continue reading My Custom Portable POTA Pack – does it work? →

A QSO with a POTA Hunter Operating a Very Unusual Rig

I just returned from a 9-day POTA camping trip with my wife in Ontario's Algonquin Park region. We stayed in provincial park campgrounds using our travel trailer for accommodation. And, of course, I "activated" each park for POTA - with one exception, and there is a cautionary tale concerning that exception! The trip took in … Continue reading A QSO with a POTA Hunter Operating a Very Unusual Rig →

Simplest Way to Guy a Telescopic Fiberglass Antenna Pole

There are a lot of YouTube videos showing different ways to support a fiberglass antenna pole, none of which seemed to meet my needs which are fairly basic: rapid deployment, lightweight and uncomplicated. So I devised my own method that I hope you will find interesting. Some hams pound a long piece of angle iron … Continue reading Simplest Way to Guy a Telescopic Fiberglass Antenna Pole →

Ham Radio & the Art of Bushcraft

Operating a radio in the great outdoors can be as simple as parking your vehicle, pulling a radio out of your pack, attaching an antenna to the top of the driver's window and keying up. I have done that myself in the depths of winter when it's too darn cold to really get outside and … Continue reading Ham Radio & the Art of Bushcraft →

How to Use a Semi-Automatic Antenna Tuner

There are manual antenna tuners and there are automatic antenna tuners - but what is a semi-automatic antenna tuner? I'll explain in a moment, but first a bit of background. For years I have relied on resonant antennas for field portable radio operations. Why carry any kind of tuner around if you don't have to? … Continue reading How to Use a Semi-Automatic Antenna Tuner →

A Surprise New Field Portable Antenna

My experiments to find a new antenna to use for field portable operations have been taking me in several directions. My neighbors must wonder what I am up to. Almost every day I have been out in my back yard erecting all kinds of strange wires strung up on tall poles or launched into trees … Continue reading A Surprise New Field Portable Antenna →