Category: Outdoor Ops

“Old Barebones” – A QRP Z-match Builder Project

I actually don't like Z-matches very much, so why did I build one? I'll get to that in a moment, but first I should explain why I am not a fan of the Z-match. These devices comprise two variable capacitors and one fixed inductor. The fixed inductor limits the tuning range compared to other types … Continue reading “Old Barebones” – A QRP Z-match Builder Project →

The “Titanic” 40m Field Expedient Backpack Portable Antenna

The 40 meter band can be a tricky one for backpack portable operators. The problem is that antennas for that band tend to be large and require a tall pole. In the last post we discussed using a backpack as a support for quarter wave whips or short poles. In that role it is gravitationally … Continue reading The “Titanic” 40m Field Expedient Backpack Portable Antenna →

How to Take Backpack Portable Radio to the Next Level

I know many hams like to operate from inside the comfort of their vehicles. I do too, but only in the depths of winter. Winters in Canada and most of the northern states can often be very challenging so some form of shelter becomes essential. But, in the warmer months (both of them, hi hi) … Continue reading How to Take Backpack Portable Radio to the Next Level →

3 Days, 3 Activations, 3 Antennas

My wife and I enjoyed a short early fall vacation to take advantage of a period of warm, sunny weather. I used the opportunity to attempt some POTA activations and compare the performance of three of my field antennas in challenging propagation conditions. I had several parks on my radar and too little time to … Continue reading 3 Days, 3 Activations, 3 Antennas →

QMX Ready to Go Pack – Lightweight and Secure for Outdoor Operating

QMX set at a comfortable angle for viewing screen Talentcell 3000mAh LiIon battery gently secured between two aluminum plates behind QMX I don't like to waste time setting up my equipment out in the Big Blue Sky Shack. It makes sense to configure everything ready to unpack and get on the air as quickly as … Continue reading QMX Ready to Go Pack – Lightweight and Secure for Outdoor Operating →

A Poor Ham’s Panadapter

I like to think of them as ham radio fish finders - those neat little waterfall displays on many modern radios. No tuning around listening for signals like in the "good old days", just click on a signal on the waterfall display, throw out your callsign and ya got 'em hooked. I live very close … Continue reading A Poor Ham’s Panadapter →

David (QMX) versus Goliath (IC-705) – Let Battle Begin!

A fellow club member is the proud owner of an Icom IC-705 QRP transceiver. I am the proud owner of a QRP Labs QMX QRP transceiver. He spent CDN$2000 to buy his radio. I spent CDN$200 to buy my QMX (including factory assembly charge and shipping from Turkey). That's a 10:1 cost ratio! I challenged … Continue reading David (QMX) versus Goliath (IC-705) – Let Battle Begin! →

How Does the Speaker Wire “No Counterpoise Antenna” Work?

Fellow blogger Craig WB3GCK recently posted an account of his build of the speaker wire "No Counterpoise Antenna" and I was immediately intrigued. In fact I rushed out to the store and bought myself a couple of 50ft rolls of 18AWG speaker wire to experiment. After a couple of days of intense backyard wire whispering … Continue reading How Does the Speaker Wire “No Counterpoise Antenna” Work? →

A 24ft Snake in my Back Yard – all lies and jest?

A snake in the grass! When singer/songwriter Paul Simon penned the lyrics to "The Boxer" in 1970 he may have anticipated my recent experiments with a particularly weird, unbelievable and incomprehensible antenna called "The Snake". A ham hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest The snake I wrestled for a couple of … Continue reading A 24ft Snake in my Back Yard – all lies and jest? →