A nanowatt is one billionth of a watt; yes, one billionth! On that scale a QRP transmitter puts out five billion nanowatts and a standard ham rig puts out 100 billion nanowatts. But is a nanowatt enough to work DX? Yes. But, of course, manufacturers don't make radios that only put out a nanowatt and … Continue reading DX with 1 Nanowatt?
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.
80m Band Antenna Fits Into Just 1 Square Foot!
Incredible isn't it? But can it really work? "It must be a compromise antenna, or very low efficiency." "Why don't you just put up a good old-fashioned dipole? "One square foot? Are you crazy?" No, we'll yes, I may be a bit crazy but believe me, the performance of my "one square footer" is no … Continue reading 80m Band Antenna Fits Into Just 1 Square Foot!
3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations: Rattlesnakes
After what seemed like a very long and wet journey, heading south for 75km to Sault Ste Marie, then 300km east across the top of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to Sudbury, then south again for another 80km, we arrived safely at our destination of Grundy Lake Provincial Park. Our total journey had been 455km … Continue reading 3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations: Rattlesnakes
3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations: Double the Activation Fun!
Sadly, after only two nights in Sleeping Giant it was necessary to start the long journey home. We would like to have stayed longer but there is a lot of competition for campsites in Ontario Parks these days. And besides, I had a mission to accomplish - I wanted to have another crack at activating … Continue reading 3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations: Double the Activation Fun!
3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations: Would that be Gulliver?
The TransCanada Highway between Neys and Nipigon is extremely hilly but our truck pulled our trailer up those hills with no problem. I had to gear down on the long descents to control our speed, especially on some of the sharp bends. Much of the route hugs the shore of Lake Superior with spectacular views … Continue reading 3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations: Would that be Gulliver?
3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations – Prisoners of War
On day 3 we arrived safely at Neys Provincial Park, near Marathon, on the north shore of Lake Superior. While our home, hundreds of kilometers to the south, was basking in thirty degree Celsius heat, we were shivering from the strong, cold wind blowing in off the big lake they call Gitchee Gumee. Neys Provincial … Continue reading 3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations – Prisoners of War
3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations – Not a Good Start!
Everything was packed and ready to embark on our 12 night camping and Parks On The Air (POTA) expedition to Northern Ontario. It would be about a three thousand kilometer round trip with stops at Chutes Provincial Park (VE-0181) on the north shore of Georgian Bay, then Pancake Bay Provincial Park (VE-0336) just north of … Continue reading 3000km, 13 Days and 5 Activations – Not a Good Start!
VE3KOT meets VA3KOT
The Ontario QSO party was in full swing and I was having a ball logging lots of CW QSOs, mostly US stations hunting for VE3s and VA3s. Then I heard another Ontario station calling and I thought to myself "I just gotta bag this one!" So I called him back and then the frequency fell … Continue reading VE3KOT meets VA3KOT
The Red Button and the Conservation Officer
A few kilometers south of MacGregor Point Provincial Park (where we were camped and successfully activated the day before) is an unusual Parks On The Air (POTA) entity called Stoney Island Conservation Area (#VE-1646). A Most Unusual ParkPOTA designations in Canada are usually reserved for National and Provincial Parks. But this park is a day … Continue reading The Red Button and the Conservation Officer
Wires that Stick and Ticks that Bite!
They say problems come in threes; they are wrong. This POTA activation involved four problems and one of them was bad! It was the end of the first week in May 2022 and XYL and I were on our first camping trip of the season with our old friend "Harvey". Harvey is a 19ft KZ … Continue reading Wires that Stick and Ticks that Bite!
Ham Radio Outside the Box 