Is it Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)? It is common knowledge that when an antenna has high SWR some of our transmitted power is wasted instead of being transmitted. But is this really true? The trouble with "common knowledge" is that it spreads without further scrutiny. "It must be true because that's what everybody thinks". But … Continue reading What really determines the efficiency of an antenna?
Category: QRP
4:1 Balun or 4:1 Unun – how to choose?
Perhaps one of the greatest confusions in the hobby of ham radio is wrapped around the subject of baluns and ununs. What are they, where should they be used and what do they do? At Ham Radio Outside the Box several antennas that need a 4:1 impedance matching device have been described. Since I had … Continue reading 4:1 Balun or 4:1 Unun – how to choose?
QRP? Are we out of our minds?
If we believe in QRP - I mean really, really believe - then we can make it work. Admittedly it's like betting on a race between a tortoise and a hare; where would you put your money? If you read accounts written by diehard QRPers, do you ever see stories such as: "I went to … Continue reading QRP? Are we out of our minds?
A simple outside the box fix for a broken telescopic whip
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" Or conversely, if it is "broke" you have two choices. Order a replacement from the other side of the planet, and wait for the slow boat from China to navigate thousand of nautical miles across the stormy waters of international seas. Or, alternatively, and my preferred solution, is … Continue reading A simple outside the box fix for a broken telescopic whip
Which is best – An EFFICIENT antenna or an EFFECTIVE antenna?
What's the difference? An EFFICIENT antenna is one that converts as much transmitted energy as possible into radiated RF energy. "Efficient" is not clearly defined but is often understood to mean more than 90%. An EFFECTIVE antenna is undefined. The term is subjective and could refer to a favorite antenna that "gets the job done". … Continue reading Which is best – An EFFICIENT antenna or an EFFECTIVE antenna?
What happens when you press the magic TUNE button?
What happens when you press the magic TUNE button on your radio, or external automatic tuner? You will likely hear the rapid clicking sound of relays trying different combinations of capacitors and inductors as it looks for the lowest SWR to present to the radio. But, a "tuner" does NOT actually tune your antenna. It … Continue reading What happens when you press the magic TUNE button?
Two Resonant Simple Wire Antennas for POTA
One antenna that has garnered a significant following among POTA operators is the POTA PERformer designed by Greg Mihran KJ6ER. In essence it is a raised quarter wavelength vertical with 2 above ground radials. A simple idea that Greg has engineered into a rapid deployment, highly efficient, multiband, portable antenna. Greg has backed up his … Continue reading Two Resonant Simple Wire Antennas for POTA
How many truly field expedient ham radios are available? Maybe only 2!
Only two? If you were to ask the military you might get a different answer. Indeed many hams actually use ex-military portable radios, such as the PRC series. Those radios are in a class of their own, but they are often heavy, designed to be carried into the field by fit, strong, young soldiers. But … Continue reading How many truly field expedient ham radios are available? Maybe only 2!
Rapid Deployment Field Expedient Random Wire Antenna Ideas
The image shows amateur radio station VA3KOT/P inside its stealth enclosure - an old airline pilot briefcase made from stout, strong leather. This is an almost complete station: Yaesu FT-891 QRP/QRO-optional in its field hardened steel 50-cal ammo box enclosure Bioenno 12Ah LiFePO4 battery 9.5ft tactical collapsible whip Adjustable loading coil for the whip PAC-12 … Continue reading Rapid Deployment Field Expedient Random Wire Antenna Ideas
An Outside the Box version of the Delta Loop antenna
I have written about delta loop antennas before - notably in April 2023 in a post entitled "Delta Loopy Ideas". A few weeks ago I received an email from Alan WA3EKL who suggested I should take another look at delta loops and offered a lot of helpful advice, tips and suggestions for making this type … Continue reading An Outside the Box version of the Delta Loop antenna
Ham Radio Outside the Box 