Toxic Hams Spread Misinformation

Posted on by ve3ips

I don’t understand why all these self righteous hams that don’t know the morse code will always refer back to

“Go Back to CB”

“Yeah well you operate the Chicken Band cluck cluck”

“You are like a CBer dumb and dumber”

This is not appropriate behavior and is a sure sign of jealousy that the ham has a 2 letter call, is advanced and knows morse code so all they can do is say “go back to CB radio”

This is toxic behavior and has no part in ham radio or part of the local amateur radio club

Best to operate on HF and stay off he repeaters where the Bofang Kiddies and Old Hams jam each other due to jealousy over those that have an Icom 7300

Paul, if you stopped smoking and drinking a quart of Vodka daily then you would live longer and be able to afford a shiny new ham radio

This is why the local repeaters are dead air and turn on once a day for a net

73s

John VE3IPS

Remember to be a Good Human and let the AI trolls argue about the fact a ham store doesn’t have bags for your $2500 purchase

I monitor Channel 11 but find that there is no traffic unless the skip is running or the local Jeep 4×4 lads have a meet up then there is action on the CB

Is “Go back to FRS” worse? probably just as bad

This couple has the coolest handles FlashBulb and FlashCube

Understanding SWR

Posted on by ve3ips

Thanks to Mr QRP Mike VE3MKX for this link

If you have a Nano VNA (who doesnt) then the smith charts is useful but I find using it as a SWR meter too difficult. Using a guitar pick out in the field is crazy. No wonder the pick is on a string

Get a real SWR meter please and save your eyes from strain

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/groupsioattachments/5708/105214630/12113/0?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJECNKOVMCCU3ATNQ&Expires=1711720773&Signature=w5W6FWHiFTPUhYfW%2BSxlJopV1Pw%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3D%22Understanding%2520SWR.pdf%22

CounterPoise Directionality with Compromise Antennas

Posted on by ve3ips

This is a reprint from several years ago

Many compromise antennas are the 6 to 12 foot variety. The Buddistick, SuperAntenna MP1, REZ Antennas Ranger 80, JNC Radio MC-750, Pac-12, and a Chameleon (it has various variants) all offer a short antenna with multi band capability.

The key to these antennas is to have an elevated counterpoise. I have done several Field Strength Readings in the field and in a controlled location to try to understand if there is any directionality to its placement.

YES I have found that there is!

Point it towards the station you are trying to work. There is noticeable improvement in the transmit signal that it would be worth the effort to locate the counterpoise accordingly.

I dont think I am seeing much in the way of reception of signals.

A gain of 3 db is the equivalent of doubling or reducing by half your power.

PLEASE NOTE THE COUNTERPOISE WILL WORK A WHOLE LOT BETTER IF IT IS ELEVATED. THESE ANTENNAS SHOULD SIT 3 FT OR MORE OFF THE GROUND WITH THE CP AT LEAST 1 FT OR MORE OFF THE GROUND. I USE A FIBERGLASS ROD TO KEEP IT OFF THE GROUND. I USE SEVERAL IF ITS A LONG CP (32′).

THIS REDUCES THE GROUND LOSSES WHERE IF THE CP IS ON THE GROUND YOU ARE BASICALLY RADIATING INTO THE GROUND.

THE CP IS BASICALLY THE OTHER HALF OF THE ANTENNA AND IT WILL RADIATE A SIGNAL ACCORDINGLY.

ADJUSTING ITS LENGTH WILL ALSO IMPACT THE SWR

NOW IN 2022, AFTER FURTHER EXPERIMENTATION HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND THAT HAVING AN ADDITIONAL WIRE ALSO IMPROVES THE SIGNALS. THIS IS SET UP AS A VEE POINTING TOWARDS THE DIRECTION YOU WANT.

Counterpoise Directionality

1 wire counterpoise

2 wire separated by a 45-60 degree angle seems to work best

Ham Radio Operator confesses to FT8 Sins and Proud of it

Posted on by ve3ips

At Fish n Chips Cheap Ham Lunch Club (we share an order across 3 hams) and order a single X large coffee to share to keep it cheap they confessed:

>We are operating on FT8 right now while we break bread (flashing the biggest grin ever!)

How so?

>The auto robot mode on FT8

So this is an unattended station operating without AI but use of software controls? Don’t you need to be Advanced for that? I think you may be in violation.

>Yeah, its awesome. It just fills my log with contacts even when I am watching TV with my partner

Partner? Sorry what is that Partner. I hear that all the time ? that’s not morse code…… Aren’t you married?

>So I find this mode fascinating and has really got me back into the hobby again. I spend a lot of time listening to nets so this is interesting to me.

Yeah, its gotten very interesting as I see many Freebanders are also using FT8. There was some guy in Belgium sending SSTV on 27.580 and I caught the bottom third of the transmission so couldn’t get his Freeband callsign or number. Do you listen to the OMISS net on 7185? (How do I know?)

>Yes I do every night and I enjoy that. I heard a guy from PEI and everyone wanted to work him.

Do you check in to that net as they are always looking for VE3s? It could be fun

>Oh NO I would never check in to the net

Your killing me here as you just said you never Chicken into the net.

>Hold on let me ask the counter staff for some more Tartar sauce

So guys I was floored the other day when Ten opened up and there was all kinds of EU signals coming in and I made a bunch of contacts with a vertical with 10 watts. Just like the old days in CB when we had 12 watts and a Hustler antenna in the car. Cycle 25 is hear

>What frequency is that I would love to listen

Try 28.400 and then looking at the waterfall you can move the mouse to the drip and click. If you have a Drake TR4cw then move the dial left or right until you hear a signal.

I learned 2 things today:

  1. A partner is a person with whom someone is in a romantic or sexual relationship. The term is often used to refer to individuals who are not married, but who are in a committed relationship. Partners may live together, share financial responsibilities, and support each other emotionally. In some cases, partners may also have legal agreements that define their relationship, such as cohabitation agreements or domestic partnership agreements. The term “partner” is often used in LGBTQ+ communities as a gender-neutral alternative to “husband” or “wife.”. However, many married to the opposite sex are staying to use this term as well due to Identity and Gender ideology shaping everything. The extreme left will tell you this is the way we should explain our marriages to avoid being considered anti-DEI. OK I use partner in a business sense but there is nothing wrong with using wife or husband even if it considered bad politics or incorrect. Who cares about sexuality since its 2024. This is Gender Neutral Language.

2. Some Hams are enjoying the Hobby their own way and they are Happy listening and being a robot .

FT8 has become increasingly popular in amateur radio in recent years, and for a good reason.

This digital mode removes conversation and allows for fast contacts over long distances, even in low power mode and under challenging band conditions.

73s

John

And so it goes in this hobby that has a thousand hobbies even if you sin you will be forgiven by Marconi and Hiram (maybe even Tesla – the ham not the car)

A new study suggests that having one conversation with a friend (Ham) per day can have a significant effect on a person’s mental health. The study published in Communication Research.

However, for some making FT8 contacts in robot mode can be very uplifting. Whatever floats your boat but please wear a life jacket as the water is getting frothy and deep.

Free ARRL Antenna Handbook eBook Free Download

Posted on by ve3ips

 Get the 25th Edition of the ARRL Antenna Handbook in eBook format

They are PDF files

Its Massive

I have the 24th Edition which has been updated over the years so curious to see if there is some new content or updates

I suggest you buy the print edition for those that need to hold paper

https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2014043922

After ordering, it takes awhile to get the download link. Their servers are
I am a member so not sure if its available to non-members

Note: They will send a download link but it may take a bit of time as they process the orders

I expect a lot of hams will be downloading this because its FREE. Hams love FREE.

If you “bought” your license (this is normal in the Toronto Area) and do not understand SWR then you may wish to download a movie instead. I heard a new ham on the repeater asking how to make a dipole and asking about SWR. An older Ham explained it to him but he was also confused and gave out the wrong information. After a while it became clear that the old ham doesn’t operate on HF and may have forgotten what it was like in the 1950s when no one really bothered with SWR due to tube based transmitters having LC circuits built in. The stumper became “How do I measure it?” and the 5 pm dinner bell rang and the repeater went back to “crickets” mode after its ID.

This is for CB but will work in a pinch and is what I used when I got licensed and used a home made transmitter on 7040 and 7115. Why did I have a 7115 crystal in my radio.? Why did it take many CQs over several days to get an answer with my 40m antenna at the same height as my Moms clothesline?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave_ratio

Anyways I have operated with antennas at 3:1 with no worries (Wow those FT-891s are tough) and for 3 months my mobile was transmitting into a broken antenna with a SWR of 10:1. God Bless Icom…tough radios

Buy a Rigexpert to make sure you have accurate readings.

Yes sir it covers up to 446 Mhz and even GMRS

QUESTION: WHY IS THE 40M SWR SO FREAKING HIGH? A PRIZE WILL BE SENT OUT FOR A CORRECT ANSWER

If he took my radio class he would have made a J-Pole and a 20m dipole in one of the classes. Plus a lot of practical stuff that is needed once licensed.

John VE3IPS

TIE BREAKER IN CASE 2 ENTRIES HAVE THE SAME TIME STAMP

Based on the bandwidth shown what kind of antenna could this be?

JNC Radio x Chelegance MC-750 vs Chameleon SS17

Posted on by ve3ips

Both antennas use telescopic whips to resonate to the desired frequency with BIG differences

JNC MC-750

Uses metric threads, a shorter whip antenna coupled to a heavy duty lower assembly. Combine they will be over 16 ft long

Chameleon SS17

Uses standard 3/8-24 threads and is 17 feet long. can be used with various CB antenna stud mounts

The advantage JNC has is its engraved band settings on the whip allows a child to deploy this antenna. The CHA-SS17 needs a measuring tape. The Chameleon measuring tape is preferred. Also the MC-750 lower assembly has a nice red handle on it making it easier to get the spike mount into the grass. Its also a great grip to pull the antenna out. The metric threads on the JNC mean that it cant be used with stud mounts unless you have an adapter. I made one to allow more mounting options.

Both antennas are easy to deploy with the JNC getting a few more points.

I am using two of the Chameleon whips for a 20m Phased Vertical

This is why you must have some Paracord in your go bag. The ground was frozen so the spike wouldn’t work.

Early bird gets the JNC DX worm. I worked several stations from Spain and Italy on 20m

CHA ANT TAPE

Antenna Tape Measure 2M – 30M Dipoles and Loops (25ft long)

1/4 Wave Markings for 2m/6m/10m/15m/17m/20m/30m

1/2 Wave Markings for 2m /6m/10m/15m

Full-wave 2m/6m

Loop 10m/15m/17m/20m/30m

TX5S Clipperton QSL Cards

Posted on by ve3ips

The team uses a service called OQRS to deliver QSL cards

https://www.m0urx.com/

You can search the submitted logs and then you add the contact details and use PayPal to get a QSL card sent to your door

You can also donate to their cause as well to help defray their costs

As you know the pileups were fierce and you needed to work SPLIT

I worked them from home on 15m and thought hey lets try 12m from the park as the pile up was not too bad. So I grabbed my radio, coax and the antenna and took off to the park.

I used the JNC MC-750 vertical on 12m and caught them just as the operator returned from a washroom break. The frequency was clear for a bit and I called out a few times after a few minutes and BINGO he called me back. Lucky for me he the split was the same so he could hear me properly. Then he went QRZ and pandemonium broke.

I tried them on 10m and 20m but had no luck after 45 minutes as QSB and the lids prevented more QSO from being made.

Tuner uppers, swearing, radio police, “whats the call whats the call?”, carriers all by frustrated hams. These hams dont know SPLIT because they caused trouble on his transmit frequency so that tells you the class of operator they are.

HI18ORD Special Event Station – POTA

Posted on by ve3ips

I had the great luck to work HI18ORD as they were doing a park activation from DO-0102. I also worked Fausto HI8AM. I really was a bit muddled trying to get the call sign for a 5×2 station with QSB. You expect a 1 or an 8 but not an 18 in the prefix…hihi

I have made 5 contacts with HI stations from 2 parks. Good to see activity from DX stations from the parks.

The Centro Olímpico Juan Pablo Duarte Park is located in Santo Domingo

QSL information with a downloadable certificate suitable for framing is available at https://independencia2024.org/

They are not in QRZ.com

Dominican Radio Clubs Join Forces to Celebrate the 180th Anniversary of National Independence through Amateur Radio Santo Domingo, February 23, 2024 In an unprecedented coordination, several radio clubs in the Dominican Republic are coming together to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the country’s Declaration of Independence through a pioneering initiative in the local amateur radio community. From February 27 to April 30, 2024, the HI180RD Special Event Station will be activated, with the participation of radio amateurs from five clubs, including Radio Club Dominicano, Inc. (RCD), Dominican Union of Radio Amateurs, Inc. (UDRA), Hotel-India DX Club (HIDXC), Southwestern Amateur Radio Union, Inc. (URSO), and the Dominican League of Radio Amateurs, Inc. (LIDORA). With more than 25 radio amateurs radio operators participating, the initiative seeks to project the Dominican Republic to the world through the airwaves, sharing the patriotic spirit and rich culture of the country. The call sign letters HI180RD, issued by INDOTEL for this event, will be activated by the participants during the coordinated operation. The Special Event Station will issue electronic certificates, available in seven languages, to each international amateur radio station that makes contact during this period. “This collaboration reflects the sense of alliance and diversity of the Dominican amateur radio community. Amateur radio, with its unique ability to communicate over long distances, allows us to project the Dominican essence worldwide,” said a representative of the participating clubs. The radio exchanges will be made in different modes, including voice and digital modes, covering distances between continents, and highlighting the technical skills of Dominican radio amateurs in radio wave communications. Special Event Stations are authorized by INDOTEL to amateur radio clubs, to carry out activities commemorating historical dates or for competitive events in the field of amateur radio. “Hotel-India-One-Eight-Zero-Radio-Delta” calling CQ !
Information received from Mejico Angeles, HI8MA.

Multi-Brand Antenna Kit

Posted on by ve3ips

The Multi-Brand Portable Antenna Kit Mix-n-Match

I like to hack and mod antennas to suit my operating style or to solve a problem. Here is view of my multi brand portable antenna. I worked the Canary Islands from a Jamaican beach with 10 watts proving this antenna is easy to deploy, stealthy and effective. The military green color tends to blend in with its surroundings. I only had one person , a curious British woman, ask me about the antenna and it was “Oh my , is someone playing on the shortwaves?” Yes, shall I ring up Sir Elton to see if he is listening? We had a great laugh later on during afternoon tea playing Rummikub a fun tile board game.

I have made 1000s of field contacts with this set up on 20 and 17 meters. It is a bit short for 40m but I have made contacts with stations that have good antennas.

Please note a counterpoise is required or 25 feet of coax (which uses the shield as the counter poise)

Military AT-271 Antenna about 10 feet long 

Buddipole Milspec Coax

SuperAntenna UM3 Mount

Homebrew Spike

Chameleon CHA-Micro Hybrid Balun

25 feet of counterpoise wire