We have mountains in Ontario. We call them mountains, but they are really just small hills. So I have never had to actually hike for miles up steep slopes carrying a backpack with all my radio gear, plus anything else I might need for a mountaintop activation. To all those who operate in this fashion, … Continue reading My radio is tiny. So why is my POTA backpack so heavy?
Category: Builder Projects
Testing and modifying the “POTA PERformer” antenna
What is the POTA PERformer? Greg Mihran KJ6ER has introduced us to an antenna that he calls the "POTA PERformer". The capitalized PER in its name is an abbreviation for "Portable, Elevated, Resonant". But what is it really? The POTA PERformer is an adjustable elevated vertical radiating whip with two adjustable elevated radials. In concept … Continue reading Testing and modifying the “POTA PERformer” antenna
Matching an EFHW antenna – a third way
There is no doubt about the popularity of the End-Fed Half-Wave antenna. It is used by a very large number of hams, especially during portable operations like POTA, SOTA, WWFF etc. Why is it so popular? The principal reason seems to be ease of deployment. The EFHW requires only a single support and can even … Continue reading Matching an EFHW antenna – a third way
EFHW matching: 49:1 Impedance Transformer or L-Network?
What is the best way to match the very high impedance of an End-Fed Half-Wave antenna to the 50 ohm impedance of a transceiver? There are various ways to do this but this week's post is going to focus on just two - a 49:1 impedance transformer (or UNUN if you prefer) and an L-network. … Continue reading EFHW matching: 49:1 Impedance Transformer or L-Network?
SSEFHW – Another Shortened End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna for 20m
Peter Waters G3OJV Screen grab from YouTube I was browsing through ham radio videos on YouTube recently as I often do (daily!) when I came across one from Peter Waters G3OJV on the Waters & Stanton video channel. The title of the video immediately caught my attention: "Shortened Vertical Half Wave Antenna". End-fed antennas are … Continue reading SSEFHW – Another Shortened End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna for 20m
I KISSed my Antenna – Here’s Why …
Many years ago I learned about a design technique called KISS. It was an acronym for "Keep It Sweet and Simple". Somewhere along life's journey I started seeing the acronym change to the rather offensive "Keep It Simple Stupid" which I entirely dislike. There are many sound reasons for simplifying a design but none of … Continue reading I KISSed my Antenna – Here’s Why …
25 Years a Ham and Still Learning
I actually got my "ticket" a little late in life. I spent many years as an SWL, then college, career and a family took priority. By the time my wife and I became empty-nesters I had combined my passion for radio and Space "the final frontier" by chasing satellites; military satellites mainly. I formed the … Continue reading 25 Years a Ham and Still Learning
An End-Fed Half Wave Antenna – with no impedance transformer?
One of the great benefits of being a ham radio blogger is that it opens up a new door to learning. Through that door comes valuable input from readers of Ham Radio Outside the Box. Let me state one thing very clearly: I am not an expert; the intent of this blog is to report … Continue reading An End-Fed Half Wave Antenna – with no impedance transformer?
A Quick and Easy QRP Emergency Field Antenna
I once drove to a park about 45 minutes away from home to do a POTA activation then realized I had left my antenna at home. <<Panic>>. I improvised by digging a 33ft wire out of my pack, cutting it in half and hastily erecting a V-dipole with its ends only about 10ft above the … Continue reading A Quick and Easy QRP Emergency Field Antenna
How to Really Make the QMX Ready for the Big Blue Sky Shack
The QRP Labs QMX is a wonder of modern technology. By employing an SDR hardware platform a whole plethora of features can be made available by simply installing new firmware. I absolutely love my QMX. It has become my most used radio for field operations. I grumbled into my beer glass about the long wait … Continue reading How to Really Make the QMX Ready for the Big Blue Sky Shack
Ham Radio Outside the Box 