How to Self-Spot Off-Grid for SOTA/POTA Using HF

FT8 - the Marmite Mode Over in the UK grocery stores sell a product called "Marmite". It is a dark, sticky, yeast-based product with a very strong flavor. Aussies have a similar product called "Vegemite". These products are either loved or hated; so when the adjective "Marmite" is attached to something it means people are … Continue reading How to Self-Spot Off-Grid for SOTA/POTA Using HF →

Can Just 1 Radial Really Be Better than 8, or More?

If you follow the advice often repeated on Internet forums you will learn that to make a vertical antenna as efficient as possible you will need as many radials as possible. After all, the AM broadcasters can't be wrong - they use hundreds of radials at the base of their towers. That advice may be … Continue reading Can Just 1 Radial Really Be Better than 8, or More? →

A 200ft Wire Antenna Up Zero Feet – How Does it Perform?

One of my local stores was offering 100ft reels of 16ga insulated wire on sale for a good price. I have bought this wire before and was very pleased with its flexibility - an important factor for field portable use where the antenna is subjected to constant winding and unwinding. The wire extends 200ft across … Continue reading A 200ft Wire Antenna Up Zero Feet – How Does it Perform? →

Ditch That Automatic Tuner!

I was on the brink of pulling the trigger on the purchase of a new automatic antenna tuner for my portable rig recently, when something unexpected happened that slammed the brakes on the acquisition. For a few weeks I have been operating my Yaesu FT-891 with an LDG Z-11 automatic antenna tuner, but there are … Continue reading Ditch That Automatic Tuner! →

Ham Radio? What’s that?

Now we have moved into the summer season I have been getting quite a few folks stopping by while I am operating in a public park. Frankly, I prefer to be left alone to get on with my activation, but if somebody stops and starts to ask questions I feel I really should respond. Who … Continue reading Ham Radio? What’s that? →

My Custom Portable POTA Pack – does it work?

How many ways can you operate when activating a park for the Parks On The Air (POTA) program? I count 4 ways; I have tried them all but one is my favorite. #1 When I read the accounts of other activators on social media I conclude the most popular way is to operate from inside … Continue reading My Custom Portable POTA Pack – does it work? →

A QSO with a POTA Hunter Operating a Very Unusual Rig

I just returned from a 9-day POTA camping trip with my wife in Ontario's Algonquin Park region. We stayed in provincial park campgrounds using our travel trailer for accommodation. And, of course, I "activated" each park for POTA - with one exception, and there is a cautionary tale concerning that exception! The trip took in … Continue reading A QSO with a POTA Hunter Operating a Very Unusual Rig →

The Hidden Secret in CW’s PARIS Standard

Sending speed in Morse Code (CW) is measured in words per minute, but how long is a "word"? In the English language the simplest word is the indefinite article "A". A contender for the longest word may be the name of a village in Wales called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. So the word PARIS has been chosen to … Continue reading The Hidden Secret in CW’s PARIS Standard →

So, is the VP2E Antenna Directional Enough?

Another fine day in February in Southern Ontario saw me out on a beach on the southern shore of Georgian Bay testing my unbalanced version of the VP2E antenna. In the previous post I shared my observation, from EZNEC modeling and a trial POTA activation, that moving the support mast towards the feedpoint end of … Continue reading So, is the VP2E Antenna Directional Enough? →

The VP2E – A Strange (But Proven) Antenna

As an avid POTA activator I was quite excited to come across a new-to-me wire antenna that is rapidly field deployable, fairly stealthy, directional and which has some gain. I would like to thank Germany-based SOTA operator Ed Durrant DD5LP, G8GLM, VK2JI for introducing me to the VP2E. As is my custom, I read Ed's … Continue reading The VP2E – A Strange (But Proven) Antenna →