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 →

Delta Loopy Ideas

It's Spring in Southern Ontario. Maybe. The weather in these parts is highly unpredictable. Temperatures have been above freezing during the daytime and the snow is almost gone. But maybe it'll be back. Who Knows? Whatever happens I have been taking advantage of the good weather for some antenna planning. Antenna planning to me means … Continue reading Delta Loopy Ideas →