by kb9vbr | Feb 6, 2025 | Activation Log
The Minnesota QSO Party was this last weekend, and Dave KZ9V and I participated in the event from a park (POTA US-4236) located on the banks of the Mississippi River. This was our 4th foray into the contest and this year’s operation was markedly different than...
by kb9vbr | Jan 30, 2025 | Activation Log
Winter Field Day, the bookend to the ARRL’s long time summer event takes place during the last weekend of January. For some parts of the country, that may be ok, but here in Wisconsin, that time of year often means cold and snow. In past Winter Field Day events,...
by kb9vbr | Jan 24, 2025 | Parks on the Air
Who needs the ocean when you have access to the world’s largest inland body of fresh water. We head up to Lake Superior and put two parks on the air: POTA US-1439 Big Bay State Park, and US-4244 Big Bay Sand Spit and Bog. It’s a Fresh Coast QRP Adventure!...
by kb9vbr | Jan 23, 2025 | News
That statement contains a bit of hyperbole, but honestly this is one of the cheapest antennas that I’ve built. All of the parts for my 10 meter J-Pole came out of the scrap bin of parts that I’ve collected over the years. If you are a newer ham, you may...
by kb9vbr | Jan 21, 2025 | Parks on the Air
While Christine attends the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival in Jefferson, I hit the road and activate 5 new to me Parks on the Air entities in southern Wisconsin. This is a POTA rove like none other. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival:...
by kb9vbr | Jan 11, 2025 | Parks on the Air
My ham radio portable antenna kit is in state of constant refinement. Here’s what I’ve been carrying and putting on the air for the last year. Product links, in order of appearance: Spiderbeam 23ft / 7m fiberglass mini pole:...
by kb9vbr | Jan 9, 2025 | Ham Radio Q and A
According to the meteorologist on our local news, the second half of January typically is our coldest winter period in Northern Wisconsin. We see an average high of 23 and a low of 7 degree Fahrenheit. While most of the country is seeing colder than average...
by kb9vbr | Jan 6, 2025 | Antennas
We spend a long weekend at Merrick State Park (POTA US-1462) on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River and put both the POTA PERformer and the POTA Dominator on the air. Which antenna will win this riverside ham radio battle. To make your own POTA PERformer or...
by kb9vbr | Jan 3, 2025 | Antennas
Last month, Dave and I demonstrated the elevated linked radial system he designed for his portable vertical antenna. Since then, I have received many inquiries on how to build one yourself. But little did we know that such an antenna already exists, and it is superior...
by kb9vbr | Dec 16, 2024 | Parks on the Air
There are certain campsites that are considered unicorns, highly sought after for their location and amenities, often needing to be reserved 11 months in advance. By sheer dumb luck, I was able to grab one of those sites, last minute, at Brunet Island State Park. The...
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