Tag: Amateur Radio

KD5ZZU’s very elegant build of “Old Barebones” – a Z-match tuner

Back in October 2024 I wrote a post with the title “Old Barebones” – A QRP Z-match Builder Project. The project's purpose was to construct a simplified version of the Norcal Z-match tuner (which I also owned) to use with my QRP Labs QMX transceiver. The Norcal tuner included some features that I simply did not … Continue reading KD5ZZU’s very elegant build of “Old Barebones” – a Z-match tuner →

The ultimate rebuild of an ancient Yaesu FT-817.

I think it was a couple of years ago now I ordered a QRP Labs QMX transceiver. It quickly, but temporarily, became my favorite radio for portable field operations. I have written before about why I believe the QMX is a mighty fine piece of miniaturized technology but is less suitable for the rigors of … Continue reading The ultimate rebuild of an ancient Yaesu FT-817. →

Great ideas from Ham Radio Outside the Box subscribers

QRV: An interesting iOS/Mac app for hams from Adam K2CAT who writes: I developed QRV to be the ham app that I always wanted. There are a lot of great tools for amateur operators: QRZ, HamQSL solar conditions, PSKReporter, and more; they just were scattered and some are not mobile friendly. My goal was to … Continue reading Great ideas from Ham Radio Outside the Box subscribers →

A Year End Compendium of Outside the Box Antenna Ideas

We have reached the end of another year of crazy ideas here at Ham Radio Outside the Box and a repeat of last year's severe winter has gotten underway in southern Ontario. The daily temperature high remains well below freezing and the ground is buried under a thick blanket of snow already. I have tried … Continue reading A Year End Compendium of Outside the Box Antenna Ideas →

POTA PERformer radials – can we make a compromise?

There has only been one light snowfall in southern Ontario so far this season - just a few centimeters that melted away within a couple of days. In anticipation of upcoming heavier snowfalls and a semi-permanent white blanket that will last until spring, I bravely shrugged off the chilly outside air and set up my … Continue reading POTA PERformer radials – can we make a compromise? →

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? →

A Road Trip with the POTA Tripod Antenna – with surprises!

A spell of warm, sunny weather and a chance to get out to see the fall colors in early October prompted my wife and I to go on a road trip up to Ontario's Muskoka region and on to the fabulous Algonquin Park. The park is Canada's largest and oldest and is the home to … Continue reading A Road Trip with the POTA Tripod Antenna – with surprises! →

Construction of the Simple Low Profile Multiband POTA Antenna

Following on from the previous post, there seems to be some interest in how the Simple, Low Profile, Multiband POTA antenna was actually built. Although the antenna is described as "simple", that term relates more to how it is deployed and its appearance than its actual construction. The construction does not involve any special tools … Continue reading Construction of the Simple Low Profile Multiband POTA Antenna →

A Simple, Low Profile, Multiband Antenna for POTA

Sometimes it is necessary to set up for a POTA activation in an area where other park users like to go. In this situation we can either entertain distracting inquiries from people passing by who may just be curious about our activity, or blend into the environment and not be noticed. I prefer the latter. … Continue reading A Simple, Low Profile, Multiband Antenna for POTA →