Category Archives: Antennas

Snow melting and antenna still up!

Posted on February 6, 2022 by robert

I don’t know why I didn’t post this photo earlier – it was taken Jan 29th after we had a blizzard.  Because of hurricane strength winds, it was hard to measure.  I took 20 readings along our driveway and came … Continue reading →

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Random Musings on POTA

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Bob Beatty

I started my Parks On The Air journey on October 2nd; my first activation with John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, and Richard KC1ARO at Brenton Point Park.  I quickly caught the bug, and have worked with them and other Newport County … Continue reading →

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Use a 2mm Allen Wrench for HamSticks

Posted on October 12, 2020 by robert

I have a number of HamStick antennas that I use with my Truck.  Over time, I’ve lost every one of the little pesky Allen Wrenches that they come with, and couldn’t find the size listed anywhere on the web. I … Continue reading →

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When Trees Aren’t Our Friends

Posted on August 8, 2020 by robert

A number of years ago, I wrote that hams often view trees as an enemy, preventing us from getting antennas up in the air, or interfering with satellite and VHF/UHF communication.  I suggested that we could alter our perspective and … Continue reading →

Posted in Antennas, Weather | 1 Comment

Checking Out the Sat Gear for Field Day

Posted on June 9, 2019 by robert

As my wife was traveling, this was a perfect time to grab the satellite gear, setup the antenna in the driveway, and keep the radio gear in her side of the garage.  I envisioned making dozens of contacts out to … Continue reading →

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WFD 2019 Satellite QSO Completed

Posted on January 26, 2019 by robert

My thanks to the crew in NH working N1FD (4O NH) during Winter Field Day this year.  There was a decent CAS-4B pass that began 13 min after WFD got underway, the first pass of the contest.  I was able … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Antennas, CAS-4B, Contests, Satellite, WFD | Leave a comment

Someone Trying To Tell Me Something?

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Bob Beatty

My Inverted L antenna begins its journey skyward at the base of an old oak tree.  A 600 watt remote tuner is installed there, along with multiple radials into the woods and yard.  The “L” wire comes down from a … Continue reading →

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Eureka! PortableRotation AzEl Rotor Running with SatPC32

Posted on March 9, 2018 by robert

I’ve toyed for years with installing a steerable array for LEO Satellites at my home.  In fact, somewhere in the mess I call my basement lies a 19 year old “new-in-the-box” Yaesu G5500 Az/El rotor.  I had purchased it to work … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, Antennas, Gear, Satellite | 2 Comments

First Radials on the Ground for Inverted L

Posted on June 3, 2017 by robert

I’ve been using a low loop, about 450 feet of wire, around 20 to 30 feet off the ground for years.  It worked well for me, enabling me to get 9-band DXCC and 8-band WAS.  But the sunspots have diminished, … Continue reading →

Posted in Antennas, DX, Propagation, Testing | 1 Comment