Many years ago I learned about a design technique called KISS. It was an acronym for "Keep It Sweet and Simple". Somewhere along life's journey I started seeing the acronym change to the rather offensive "Keep It Simple Stupid" which I entirely dislike. There are many sound reasons for simplifying a design but none of … Continue reading I KISSed my Antenna – Here’s Why …
Tag: POTA
What 3 Words? – Maidenhead Grid Squares!
I was taking a walk in a local park recently. The Sydenham river flows through the park and plunges over the Niagara Escarpment creating a local attraction called Inglis Falls. Usually a very pretty sight, but during the spring thaw and following a heavy rainfall, it had become a raging torrent of water that was … Continue reading What 3 Words? – Maidenhead Grid Squares!
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 Ham with One Voltmeter Always Knows the Battery Voltage
Is this too high Hans? There is a popular old saying about a man with one clock always knowing what time it is, but a man with two clocks is never sure. Well doesn't that also apply to voltmeters and any other kind of meter in a ham's kit bag? The Ham Radio Outside the … Continue reading A Ham with One Voltmeter Always Knows the Battery Voltage
An End-Fed Half Wave Antenna – with no impedance transformer?
One of the great benefits of being a ham radio blogger is that it opens up a new door to learning. Through that door comes valuable input from readers of Ham Radio Outside the Box. Let me state one thing very clearly: I am not an expert; the intent of this blog is to report … Continue reading An End-Fed Half Wave Antenna – with no impedance transformer?
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
Are You a Rag Chewer or a “59 73” Operator?
I have had this topic in mind for quite a long time but have hesitated to write about it. Why? Because it is probably one of the most controversial topics in amateur radio. However, at the risk of causing a heated debate, and because I am still snowed in and unable to get out to … Continue reading Are You a Rag Chewer or a “59 73” Operator?
Fighting the winter blues with a little radio therapy
The winter takes it all - aka A Brief Break Activity We haven't had this much winter snow for several years. Every day seems to bring a fresh snowfall to add to the accumulation on the ground. My poor John Deere snowblower is getting a real workout keeping the driveway clear. I live on the … Continue reading Fighting the winter blues with a little radio therapy
How to Really Make the QMX Ready for the Big Blue Sky Shack
The QRP Labs QMX is a wonder of modern technology. By employing an SDR hardware platform a whole plethora of features can be made available by simply installing new firmware. I absolutely love my QMX. It has become my most used radio for field operations. I grumbled into my beer glass about the long wait … Continue reading How to Really Make the QMX Ready for the Big Blue Sky Shack
An Off-Center Fed Sleeve Dipole
At Ham Radio Outside the Box the urge to experiment is always front and center. Isn't that what radio amateurs are supposed to do - continuously improve our knowledge and hone our expertise? In the minds of the government departments that give us our spectrum allocations we are a reserve resource of communications expertise to … Continue reading An Off-Center Fed Sleeve Dipole
Ham Radio Outside the Box 