Minnesota QSO Party

Minnesota QSO Party

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...
CQ Winter Field Day

CQ Winter Field Day

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,...
This antenna cost me pennies

This antenna cost me pennies

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...
Ham Radio Antenna Showdown! POTA PERformer vs Dominator

Ham Radio Antenna Showdown! POTA PERformer vs Dominator

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...
The Best Ham Radio Antenna: POTA PERformer HF Vertical

The Best Ham Radio Antenna: POTA PERformer HF Vertical

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...