Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up8WL4CPVY8. Here's another great Field Day Setup, courtesy of Tracy (VE3TWM) and Randy (VE3OZR).  This QRP operating "camp" was erected in Rattlesnake Park, Ontario, Canada and used two antennas, a Yaesu 817 HF transceiver, and some excellent outdoor shelters.  According to Tracy (VE3TWM), the horizontally polarized antenna was a 66-foot/20.12 meters long HyEndFed 4 band HF antenna, while the vertically polarized antenna was the EZ Military Antenna from Alpha Antennas.  As you can tell from this short video, both Randy and Terry had a great time grabbing elusive Field Day contacts from this beautiful park.  Hopefully, this well-organized portable station will give you some good ideas for your Field Day operation. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnew

I you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_HyTYek318. Here's all you need to know about the ARRL Field Day from preparation to antennas.  This podcast from 22 June 2016 features expert advice and helpful suggestions from Bob Heil, Gordon West, George Thomas, Don Willbanks, and Amanda Allen.  Although there are some controversial issues over tuning portable vertical antennas, this issue of "Ham Nation" is fundamentally sound on both theory and practice.  The 2017 ARRL Field Day is set for 24-25 June. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). http://www.arrl.org. Be sure to check the blog sidebars for more antenna and propagation articles. Opinions expressed in this blog are mi

If you can't view this video, please insert the this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=oOXcSqNd6PY. Here's another antenna idea for radio amateurs planning to participate in the 2017 ARRL Field Day emergency communications exercise as a single operator portable station.  Randy Hall (K7AGE) participated in the 2016 ARRL Field Day as a single station operating from a hilltop near his home in Gold, Oregon. His truck ran his station from the back of his pickup truck, using a 20-foot/6.097meter pole to support a 20 meter dipole antenna.  His Yaesu-857 was powered by deep cycle batteries charged with solar panels.  Randy was able to fill his log without any problems. Perhaps a simple station such as the one demonstrated by Randy will encourage you to operate in the "outdoors" away from urban noise and traffic.  Although many radio amateurs will participate with their radio clubs in this annual event, there are some of us who ca

Solving Final Loop Problems (https://w2lj.blogspot.com/2017/05/solving-final-loop-problems.html). Author:  Larry Makoski (W2LJ). Accessed on 15 May 2017, 20:55 hrs, UTC. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: One of the major issues facing builders of homebrewed magnetic loop antennas is how to support the loop without it falling over because of wind, weather, and other factors.  In this post, QRP enthusiast Larry Makoski (W2LJ) found a simple answer to supporting his magnetic loop antenna, with help from Ido Roseman (4X6UB) and the neighborhood Home Depot outlet. As illustrated in his post, Larry bought a Husky Tripod assembly that supports an industrial grade halogen construction light.  With a few modifications, this sturdy tripod was able to support Larry's magnetic loop antenna without it being overturned by wind and bad weather.  Larry added that the cost of the large-based tripod was modest (around $19)

New WannaCry Ransomware Emerging and How To Protect Yourself (https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2017/05-how-to-protect-yourself-against-wannacry/). If this link doesn't connect, please enter the entire headline title into your browser search box. Author:  Mark Maunder of Wordfence Security. Accessed on 15 May 2017, 03:55 hrs, UTC. Comment: This blog usually discusses antennas, various "tuners", homebrewed equipment, and ways to improve the antennas at your disposal.  However, in this post I will leave antennas for a moment to review a serious threat to all of us using the Windows OS, especially older, unsupported versions such as Windows XP. According to Mark Maunder of Wordfence Security, a second wave of the "WannaCry" ransomware appears to have started just a few hours ago.  Maunder says "this is going to be a rough week for Windows users."  Although code experts have found two "kill switches" in the first round of WannaCry attacks