“This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night follows day,That when you are not yourself, you cannot be true to any man.” ~ William Shakespeare This is not exactly a common introduction of a blog post about amateur radio. Perhaps that is because this post is more than justContinue reading “Thank You for Your Support”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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”
Review of the Chameleon Tactical Delta Loop Antenna
Portable operators are always looking for effective multi-band antennas. Chameleon Antenna out of Sparks, NV has brought to market a portable-sized delta loop antenna that sets up in minutes and operates on all HF bands plus 6 meters. The heart of the TDL is the Hybrid Mini and/or the Hybrid Micro transformer. The Hybrid seriesContinue reading “Review of the Chameleon Tactical Delta Loop Antenna”
Activating Canaveral National Seashore, K-0660
Located mere miles from the Kennedy Space Flight Center is the Canaveral National Seashore. Both the Kennedy Space Flight Center (KSFC) and the Canaveral National Seashore (CNSS) are on Merritt Island, Florida. CNSS is located on a narrow stretch of land just north of KSFC. There are 13 parking areas that provide pedestrian access toContinue reading “Activating Canaveral National Seashore, K-0660”
Portable on a Budget for New Hams
2020 has seen an explosion of new ham radio operators. This is one of the interesting side stories of the COVID-19 pandemic. Human beings are social creatures and ham radio is a great way to meet new people. Call it the electromagnetic version of being a pen pal. Ham radio is like ethnic cuisine –Continue reading “Portable on a Budget for New Hams”
Videos of a Full Activation
Parks-on-the-Air (POTA) is exploding. There are now more than 6,000 registered users and the growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down. With exponential growth comes lots of questions from new and prospective hunters and activators. One of the reasons this blog exists is to answer those questions. Questions about how to actually activate a parkContinue reading “Videos of a Full Activation”
Christmas Day Activation at K-1848, Colt Creek State Park
Colt Creek State Park is one of my favorite parks. It has plenty of room to set up a portable antenna and the park is seldom crowded. It is a great place to try out new things. Since my XYL gave me her blessing to activate a park today, Colt Creek made for an easyContinue reading “Christmas Day Activation at K-1848, Colt Creek State Park”
5 Park Christmas Eve Rove
Today I did a 5 park Rove at K-1916 Skyway Fishing Pier, K-3635 Madira Bickel Mound, K-3663 Terra Ceia Preserve, K-3613 Cockroach Bay Preserve, and K3627 James Van Fleet Trail. The rove netted 298 total contacts on 40, 30, 20, and 17 meters. 166 contacts were SSB and 132 were CW. Countries worked were Canada,Continue reading “5 Park Christmas Eve Rove”
Water-Logged Activation at K-6306, Half Moon Wildlife Management Area
Business took me to Lake Panasoffkee this afternoon, so I decided to activate a new-to-me park, Half Moon Wildlife Management Area. The entrance to the WMA is a mile off or CR 44 between Inverness and Wildwood. There is a grassy area need a trail head that is acceptable for activating. I parked about 40Continue reading “Water-Logged Activation at K-6306, Half Moon Wildlife Management Area”
K4NYM Radio 