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
Tag: Ground
Reviving a Webster Band Spanner – a 1950s manual screwdriver antenna
About 20 years ago I was approached by a neighbor who, knowing that I am a ham, asked if I might be interested in looking at some of the old ham junque he had accumulated over many years. He was a fine gentleman, in his golden years, who was no longer active in the hobby. … Continue reading Reviving a Webster Band Spanner – a 1950s manual screwdriver antenna
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
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 Can A Lossy Wire on the Ground Work Better Than A Quarter Wave Vertical Antenna?
Let's get real here! If we lay a wire antenna on the ground, surely It can't radiate more power than that cool-looking, expensive quarter-wave whip you just spent a small fortune to buy? Well, yes it can - but with a few caveats. We can use a trick of geometry to support our claim. Our … Continue reading How Can A Lossy Wire on the Ground Work Better Than A Quarter Wave Vertical Antenna?
Loading Coils are Lossy. True or False?
Everybody knows That's how it goes Everybody knows Everybody knows loading coils are lossy so it must be true eh? No need to question what "everybody knows" - unless you think outside the box. Well, that's the primary mission of this blog so let's take a look at the proposition that "loading coils are lossy" … Continue reading Loading Coils are Lossy. True or False?
Rebuilding the Winter Rybakov Antenna
Almost a year ago I wrote a post entitled "A Simpler Field Expedient Rybakov Antenna for Winter". It is worthwhile to read that post to understand why I felt it necessary to make a winter version of a proven, tried and trusted antenna. My home turf is southern Ontario, Canada about 200km northwest of Toronto. … Continue reading Rebuilding the Winter Rybakov Antenna
Magically transform a single band ground plane into a multiband antenna – instantly
I call it "electromagnetrickery". You can learn a lot by building your own antennas, much more than if you buy commercial ones. But beware, it becomes addictive - I have a drawer full of empty wire spools to prove it. Sometimes the behaviour of those pesky electromagnetic wavicles delivers unexpected surprises. Here is the story … Continue reading Magically transform a single band ground plane into a multiband antenna – instantly
A Versatile Solution for Backpacking with the QRP Labs QMX
Solar cycle 25 is rapidly approaching its peak. That means propagation conditions are very favorable for QRP operations again. Add to that the ever increasing popularity of outdoor operating programs like Summits on the Air (SOTA) and Parks on the Air (POTA) and there has never been a better time to hit the Big Blue … Continue reading A Versatile Solution for Backpacking with the QRP Labs QMX
Improving a Ground Tuning Unit – using binary coded inductance and capacitance
There are 10 types of people in this world; those who understand binary notation and those who don't. Some years ago I experimented with using a Ground Tuning Unit (GTU a.k.a. Artificial Ground) to replace radials/counterpoises on my field expedient vertical antennas. A GTU is simply a series L-C tuned circuit with a current sensor … Continue reading Improving a Ground Tuning Unit – using binary coded inductance and capacitance
Ham Radio Outside the Box 