Bill Brown

A Regrettable Decision by The Radio Amateurs of Canada

By now the news has made the rounds that the Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced that the organization will not be traveling to Hamvention in 2025. Among the reasons given by RAC President Mr. Allan Boyd (VE3AJB/VE3EM) are proposed tariffs by the United States government and comments made by President Donald Trump about CanadaContinue reading “A Regrettable Decision by The Radio Amateurs of Canada”

As the Sunspot Turns

Let me begin this blog post by stating I am not a space weather expert. I strongly suggest you follow Dr. Tamita Skov (@TamitaSkov on X or SpaceWeatherWoman.com). Dr. Skov does an excellent job of presenting what is happening with space weather, which HF propagation depends on heavily. If you are new to amateur radio,Continue reading “As the Sunspot Turns”

The Wonder of it All

I was a 5-year-old boy when I watched my father, WA2NAU (now W2BIL), talk to another ham radio operator in Scotland. My dad’s “shack” was in the back bedroom of our two-story home in North Arlington, NJ. I was mesmerized by the warm glow that came from the tubes in his Viking-Johson transmitter. I didn’tContinue reading “The Wonder of it All”

Yard Sale Radio

November 2022 in Central Florida was heavenly. The humidity was low, and all thoughts of the hot humid summer were gone. Thanksgiving is merely days away, and those folks eager to get a jump on Christmas have deployed lights and yard decorations. On this late autumn day, I passed a large multi-family yard sale inContinue reading “Yard Sale Radio”

The Parks on the Air Book

A few months ago I was approached by Rick Parent (W0ZAP) about writing an essay for a planned book on POTA by the ARRL. While I am not a fan of false humility, I had to question what value I could bring to such a publication. It didn’t take long for me to hear fromContinue reading “The Parks on the Air Book”

Activation Rove to Hamvention

I will be driving to Hamvention starting on Wednesday, May 18th. The plan is to activate at least 15 parks on my way up. I will be using APRS to track my progress. My tentative activation schedule is: Wednesday, May 18th Flat Creek State Fishing Lake 2340 Highway 41 South Perry, GA 31069 Ocmulgee Mound HistoricContinue reading “Activation Rove to Hamvention”

Follow the Path Less Traveled

There are so many Amateur Radio content creators hawking products that it’s difficult to tell the ones that publish content for the good of the hobby as opposed to the one’s with personal agendas. In the end, do the research and make your own informed decision. It will save you both money and aggravation.

QSOs for Ukraine

This is not going to be a long-winded post, so I will get right to the point. Amateur radio operators are known to be generous with their time and resources. In times of national emergency “hams” are a vital link in establishing emergency communications. Hams can be found providing communication support for events like charityContinue reading “QSOs for Ukraine”

Scavenger Antenna

Using the supplies I had on hand, I constructed a 35.5′ random wire antenna to use as a vertical and/or sloper with my Jackite mast on POTA activations. Because the length of wire is non-resonant, it should work with my Chameleon Hybrid Mini 5:1 transformer, LDG 4:1 unun, or a 9:1 unun that a friendContinue reading “Scavenger Antenna”

Taking the Alex Loop Premier into the Field

I have been intrigued by magnetic loops for a while, so it was with measured excitement that I have been able to take the Alex Loop Premier into the field for some POTA activations. Today’s activation from Lake Wales, FL netted 50 QSOs 17, 20, and 30 meters on both CW and SSB. Received signalContinue reading “Taking the Alex Loop Premier into the Field”