I love to check out interesting, new antenna designs. The Rybakov isn't actually a new antenna, it has been around for a while; either I just hadn't come across it before or I had passed it over and forgotten about it. So when I read about it recently I just knew I had to find … Continue reading What in Heaven’s Name is a Rybakov Antenna?
Tag: POTA
20m Band – The Long and the Short of it
Another recent POTA activation turned out to be a useful learning experience for me. It was a moderately cold February day. The temperature had dipped to -20degC overnight, but by afternoon it had risen to a relatively balmy -7degC. It was also the occasion of the Polar Bear QRP Ops February Polar Bear Moonlight Madness … Continue reading 20m Band – The Long and the Short of it
A Versatile Backpack Rig for POTA Activations
I recently posted about POTA becoming a competitive activity. Admittedly, I have caught the bug but I also still enjoy just getting out into the Big Blue Sky Shack and being all alone with just my radio for company. Competing for POTA awards involves rushing from park to park balancing QSO count with getting as … Continue reading A Versatile Backpack Rig for POTA Activations
Has POTA Become a Radio Sport Contest?
Parks On The Air (POTA) may have started out as a fun way to get outside into the Big Blue Sky Shack and play radio, but now it has become very competitive. Those who like to take a casual approach to activating parks can still enjoy their hobby their way, but others have a different, … Continue reading Has POTA Become a Radio Sport Contest?
I Fell Off the QRP Wagon and Regretted It Already
Only use enough power to make the contact. That's the advice often given to hams. How much is enough? One way to find out is to get on the air and start making waves. Or, I thought, check the propagation numbers, evaluate the site elevation and make a turkey-brained guess about how much power I … Continue reading I Fell Off the QRP Wagon and Regretted It Already
Snow and Freezing Spray – QRP Madness
Saturday 7th January was the date of the first Polar Bear Moonlight Madness Event (PBMME) of the year. In fact, as a new member of the group, it was my first ever PBMME. The group is called the Polar Bear QRP Ops. It is an amateur radio group who are active with portable QRP operation … Continue reading Snow and Freezing Spray – QRP Madness
Pairing the PFR-3 with an EFHW Antenna
My previous outing with my trusty old Hendricks PFR-3 portable field radio (see QRP on Deck) was with a Random Wire antenna. The big advantage of the random wire is that it is non-resonant on any band and can be tuned on any band. I prefer to use resonant antennas that can be paired with … Continue reading Pairing the PFR-3 with an EFHW Antenna
A Snowshoe Trek Across the Ice Shelf for a Late Year POTA Activation
We had a lot of snow over the Christmas weekend but I wanted to get out and do one last POTA activation before the end of 2022. I chose VE-5651 Hibou Conservation Area near my hometown of Owen Sound, Ontario. Hibou Conservation Area in Summer Hibou Conservation Area sits along the shore of Georgian Bay … Continue reading A Snowshoe Trek Across the Ice Shelf for a Late Year POTA Activation
Let’s Dump RS(T) Signal Reports!
How much use is a signal report - really? In theory it is a good idea to tell the ham at the other end of the magic, invisible wire how well you are receiving their signal. In practice the report you send is of little to no use whatsoever. Why is that? I can cite … Continue reading Let’s Dump RS(T) Signal Reports!
How to find out if your common mode current choke really works
What is common mode current? It is the current that flows along the outer surface of your coax shield from your antenna back towards your radio. It can cause SWR problems, erratic behaviour of radio equipment and even RF shocks when you touch metal parts of your rig. A coax cable has three conductors! Due … Continue reading How to find out if your common mode current choke really works
Ham Radio Outside the Box 