by kb9vbr | Oct 26, 2026 | Activation Log
As amateur radio operators we put a lot of time and effort in order to make our signal go further. We pick antennas with a low RF radiation takeoff angle, we search for efficiency in design, and we spend vast amounts of time and effort analyzing the propagation charts...
by kb9vbr | Oct 16, 2026 | Activation Log
Early on, when I started doing portable operating and Parks on the Air more consistently, one of the first antennas I built was a 20 and 40 meter link dipole antenna. This antenna was heavy, made out of PVC and 14 ga THHN wire. But I used that antenna for a long time,...
by kb9vbr | Sep 30, 2026 | Activation Log
POTA Roves are a great way to spice up your Parks on the Air activations. Instead of going out to just one park and getting on the air, you chain together several parks and hit them in rapid succession. Speed the process up and you’ve got a sprint; quick...
by kb9vbr | Sep 25, 2026 | Activation Log
If there is one ham radio accessory that I couldn’t live without, it’s probably my headset. I love the convenience of not holding a microphone, and as my ears get older, I really appreciate how the headphones help me pull out weak signals. I can get by...
by kb9vbr | Sep 22, 2026 | Activation Log
There is no shortage of end fed half wave antennas on the market. Over the years I’ve tried many variations and one of my personal favorites is the Spooltenna, both for it’s ease of deployment and very good performance. Their new Ultra model is my top pick...
by kb9vbr | Sep 15, 2026 | Activation Log
The V-Dipole craze has really taken off! A V-Dipole is best described as two quarter wave elements angles upward in approximately 120 degree angle and supported by a tripod or base of about five feet in height. Alpha Antennas has produced a commercial V-Dipole for a...
by kb9vbr | Sep 7, 2026 | Activation Log
An antenna analyzer is a permanent part of my antenna kit. It’s a fast and easy way to help get your portable antenna adjusted for maximum performance. But you can easily get by without one, and in this week’s video I show you how to do that. This...
by kb9vbr | Aug 31, 2026 | Activation Log
The tried and true dipole antenna can be your savior in the field. Whether you are in an emcomm situation and need to establish reliable communications, or your go to antenna broke and you need to put something together in the field. This simple dipole only requires...
by kb9vbr | Aug 27, 2026 | Activation Log
Back last June I was in the Manitowoc, WI area for my participation on the Cobia for Museum Ships weekend. Along with working on the sub, I also did a few Parks on the Air activations and posted a few images on my social channels. I like to take a few pictures and...
by kb9vbr | Aug 3, 2026 | Activation Log
QRP, or low power, communication can be a lot of fun. QRP can also be a challenge. Making contacts with the minimum amount of power, or even less than that, hones your skills as an operator. When your output power is measured in single watts, you really start to think...
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