by kb9vbr | Jun 30, 2022 | Antennas
A viewer asks: Why J-Pole antennas? I mean it’s a cool design and all, but some people swear by them. What advantages do they have? Lower take-off angle? Gain? Joe and I share some insight on why the J-Pole is such a popular antenna for VHF/UHF operation....
by kb9vbr | Jun 21, 2022 | Operating Events
Recently our amateur radio club held a fox hunt. This one really had me stumped. Build it: Tape Measure Beam (Yagi) antennahttps://youtu.be/BmHoQrDfw-0 Fox Hunt Signal Attenuator (MFJ-762)https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-762 Like what you see? You can leave me...
by kb9vbr | Jun 17, 2022 | Product Focus
I take a look at the Rigexpert AA-2000 Zoom antenna analyzer capable of measuring frequencies between .1 – 2000 Mhz Display modes: SWR, return loss, R, X, Z, L, C, Magnitude, and Phase Angle at a single frequency, SWR chart (100 points). SWR chart at fixed HAM...
by kb9vbr | Jun 13, 2022 | Parks on the Air
We finish up our camping adventures for the season with a late October trip to Mirror Lake State Park (POTA K-1464) in the beautiful Wisconsin Dells. I do return QSL, if you made a contact with me and would like a QSL, please send me one. Return postage not necessary,...
by kb9vbr | Jun 8, 2022 | Parks on the Air
Part 2 of our Mid-October camping trip to Northeast Wisconsin. On the way home we stop at the Peshtigo River State Forest (POTA K-5580) to activate the park and seek redemption for the only POTA entity that I have had a failed activation at. I do return QSL, if you...
by kb9vbr | Jun 2, 2022 | Parks on the Air
Fall Camping 2021 continues with a mid Autumn trip to Governor Thompson State Park in Northeastern Wisconsin (POTA K-1453) and an activation full of endless pileups and talking to Scouts at their Jamboree on the Air station. Like what you see? You can leave me a...
by kb9vbr | May 24, 2022 | Antennas
Nestled deep in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northwest Wisconsin is the small town of Clam Lake. Clam Lake is best known for the excellent hunting and fishing in the area, and of course the herd of elk that roam the countryside. But the elk population is...
by kb9vbr | May 14, 2022 | Parks on the Air
A good friend invited Joe and I for a weekend of camping and ham radio adventure. We activate the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest’s Black Lake Campground POTA K-4533 in Northwest Wisconsin and have a bit of fun searching for a hidden military transmitter...
by kb9vbr | May 2, 2022 | Parks on the Air
Over the years I’ve collected quite a few little tips that help me in having a more enjoyable time while minimizing issues that could lead to failure with my Parks on the Air activations. With that said, here are my 10 POTA hacks that will help make your activations a...
by kb9vbr | Apr 13, 2022 | Parks on the Air
You asked for it, here it is: a live A/B test of the Wolf River Coil vs the Chameleon CHA-LEFS End Fed Half Wave antenna. Which will win in this Parks on the Air activation of Brunet Island State Park in northwest Wisconsin (POTA K-1442). This is not a scientific test...
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