One of the challenges of living in the Great White North at this time of year is frozen ground. I was reminded of that just recently when, after a few days of milder temperatures, I optimistically stepped out of the house to probe the ground with one of the stakes I use for supporting the … Continue reading Wire Supports for Solid Ground
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.
A Backpack Radio Lap Desk
It isn't always easy to find a picnic bench just where you need one for outdoor radio operations. Quite often a compromise is necessary. That is where my lap comes in handy. Somewhere convenient to put the logging notepad, writing instrument, CW paddles and a small clock for logging the time when contacts are made. … Continue reading A Backpack Radio Lap Desk
The Weird Antenna Wire End Effect
I have been giving some thought to antenna wires recently. I was particularly interested in the reason for them being shorter than we would expect if we simply calculate their length by dividing signal propagation speed by the frequency of the signal. The length (L) of a half wave wire can be calculated using the … Continue reading The Weird Antenna Wire End Effect
What Did Orville and Wilbur Wright do for Ham Radio?
In December 1903, the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur made the first powered manned flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was a tremendous achievement and has been recorded in history as the official birth of the world's aviation industry. Their aircraft made a flight of a few hundred feet at an altitude just high … Continue reading What Did Orville and Wilbur Wright do for Ham Radio?
A DIY Clone of the Yaesu FH-2 Remote Control Keypad
The biggest disadvantage to using a Yaesu FT-891 transceiver for field operations may be that its small form factor means most features have to be accessed from the menu system. Fortunately, some of the most used features can be easily assigned to the front panel "A", "B" and "C" keys. That's great, but in the … Continue reading A DIY Clone of the Yaesu FH-2 Remote Control Keypad
Reverse Activation of a POTA Nonentity
Winters in Southern Ontario can be tough. Canadians are used to dealing with snow and ice, for sure. Some even enjoy the season. I know fellow club members who can hardly wait for the snow so they can get out on their snowmobiles. Snow Pile-Ups but no QSO Pile-Ups!The problem is, Ontario Provincial Parks are … Continue reading Reverse Activation of a POTA Nonentity
59 QRZ?
What is your preferred operating style?- Are you a rag chewer?- A contester?- A DXer?- A POTA/SOTA activator/chaser?… or do you prefer to let a computer do the talking? Your operating style probably matches your personality. Some people love to chat while others follow the maxim: "never speak unless you think you can improve on … Continue reading 59 QRZ?
A New Loading Coil for the Field Vertical Antenna
There are several reasons for building our own ham radio projects instead of buying commercial products. First, the satisfaction of making contacts using hardware you have built yourself. Second, it usually costs far less to build it yourself. The restrictions, lockdowns and supply chain shortages we have experienced recently sometimes also make it a necessity … Continue reading A New Loading Coil for the Field Vertical Antenna
Radio Sled First Outing – On the Beach on February 1st!
The first day of February has been very mild with temperatures creeping just above freezing. There is a decent covering of snow, with lots more due over the next couple of days - ideal conditions to give the new radio sled its first tryout. I chose a nearby beach looking out over Georgian Bay which … Continue reading Radio Sled First Outing – On the Beach on February 1st!
POTA Activation at Killbear Provincial Park VE-0254
Killbear Provincial Park is on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay just north of Parry Sound Ontario. XYL Krystyna, myself and shack assistant Trunkles, our faithful 15-year-old English Setter (now sadly SK), were camped in the park for 3 nights in the fall of 2021. Killbear is a beautiful park with great beaches and probably … Continue reading POTA Activation at Killbear Provincial Park VE-0254
Ham Radio Outside the Box 