by Michael Martens | Oct 3, 2012 | Amateur Radio, Antennas
When the weather is nice I like to package my antennas for shipping on the picnic table in the backyard. We’re in the middle of fall color season here in Wisconsin, so my backyard is full of brightly colored Maple leaves. I think everyone this week will get a...
by Michael Martens | Jun 1, 2012 | 6 Meter, Amateur Radio, Antennas, VHF
June is here, and now that the days are getting longer and warmer, my attention turns to VHF propagation, most notably the 6 meter band. Six Meters really starts to heat up in June, just in time for the ARRL’s VHF QSO Party. June marks the opening the...
by Michael Martens | May 4, 2012 | Amateur Radio, Antennas, emcomm
A very common question that I receive from people inquiring about my antennas is “Does a J-Pole antenna need to be grounded?” Of course there is a very easy answer: no and yes. J-Pole antennas are half wave antennas by design. Actually they are a half wave...
by Michael Martens | Feb 5, 2012 | 2 meter, Antennas, Land-Mobile, Marine, Scanner, VHF
Radio operators typically want to get the best performance and range out of their antenna systems. VHF and UHF propagation is typically line of site, so the common thought to increasing range is to increase the antenna height. For the most part this works, but when...
by Michael Martens | Oct 2, 2011 | 2 meter, UHF
October 1, 2011 marks the date for the 2011 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET). The SET is a readiness exercise to test the capabilities of ARES/RACES emergency communications groups. Unlike Field Day which is more points based and social, the SET drill is usually...
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