Following high level, wide-ranging, bilateral talks with senior management (XYL) a far-reaching, binding agreement was today handed down to me. The focus of the agreement is contained in the executive summary which reads: "ya got enough radios already". And it's true I own more radios than I really use. Nearly all of my radios are … Continue reading My FT-891 has been retired from POTA service … why?
Tag: Outdoor Ops
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.
This is still a hobby, isn’t it?
Ham Radio continues to change. Whether you believe the changes are good or bad depends on a lot on your perspective. But, no matter if you are a traditional brass pounder, or you believe the Internet is the future of ham radio, one question stands out as we enter another year. Is ham radio still … Continue reading This is still a hobby, isn’t it?
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
What really determines the efficiency of an antenna?
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?
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?
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?
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
Ham Radio Outside the Box 