So far this has been a lot of fun and generated a lot of activity in our club to honour and celebrate the historical moment 100 years ago.
Ted was licensed as 3BP in 1919 and ran a 500 watt spark.
He was the only Canadian heard in Scotland on Dec 10, 1921 and ran the spark gap while everyone else ran CW. Not long after, Ted was running CW as well.
This was not a Marconi moment but a “Rogers” moment. In fact. Marconi insisted that signals at 200m was not possible to cross the ocean and the longer 600m wavelengths were preferred. Marconi was proved wrong. In fact, the initial shakedown proved difficult as the receiver was getting swamped from the Marconi spark stations.
The ARRL sent Godley with his 9 tube Superhet to try again. Godley met beverage on the ship over and ended up using a Beverage antenna.
Ham radio really did start just over 100 years ago with the term DX
Dayton Hamvention 2022 is not just going to be a premier hamfest but a reunion, as organizers prepare for the first gathering at the Xenia Fairground and Expo Center in Ohio after two years of cancellations.
Hamvention’s general chairman Rick Allnut WS8G said in a phone interview that committees have been meeting and volunteers are committed to making up for the time lost to pandemic cancellations.
Hamvention will be happening on Friday May 20th through Sunday May 22nd with an international reception scheduled on Thursday May 19th. Rick said the registration site is already taking bookings from vendors and inside exhibitors and individual visitors can already buy their tickets. All details are available on the hamvention.org website.
RIck said: “Tickets are all printed and ready to go.”
Toronto is become a victim of several active jammers causing havoc with nefarious activity.
Repeaters and Nets have been shut down and terminated due to this illegal RF activity
ISED stats that Hams are self-policing and because licenses are free (we voted years ago to not pay a yearly fee (hams are cheap) and no revenue is gained then the ability to hire Enforcement Officers is not happening. RAC as well cannot solve this problem. The problem is solved by hams themselves.
Don’t like the Jamming? Shut the radio off, Quit the Hobby or go on a Foxhunt
The ARRL has published many articles to help you catch the jammer
Articles
Stalking the Fox QST October 1993, pp. 64-65 An introduction to Fox Hunting (Direction Finding)
Build the HANDI-Finder! QST May 1993, pp. 35-38 A hand-held direction finder that when connected to your HT or FM scanner can locate AM or FM sources over the range or 45 to 470 MHz
The NVARC FoxFinder QST April 2001, pp. 35-39 This little fox hunt sniffer is designed to locate the transmitter down to the last few meters–where other techniques often fail
The Four-Way Dfer QST November 1995, pp. 29-35 A system outwardly similar to the Doppler Radio unit above, but with a different approach–multipath reception. Feedback: December 1995, p. 79 Feedback: February 1996, p. 81
A Fox-Hunting DF Twin ‘Tenna QST October 1998, pp. 41-44 An improved 2 meter Yagi optimized for direction finding. Feedback: The ferrite beads specified in Table 2 are all available from All Electronics Corp
John “Bee” Bartscherer, N1GNV, shared 10 contesting tips for the new contester and those with lower power stations trying to compete with the “big gun” stations.
John writes:
“I’m at best a casual contester. My modest station includes a 100 W HF rig and a wire antenna up about 30 feet. Squarely in ‘peanut whistle’ territory, for sure, compared to many others. But I do enjoy getting on the air and working stations all over the US and the world. With just a bit of effort, you can often get your Worked All States, or DXCC Award, in a single weekend. If you’re new to HF, or contesting, here are 10 tips for you.
Read the contest rules. Understand what bands you can use, what your entry category will be, and what the ‘exchange’ is. Simply, that’s the information you will give to the other station and he/she will give to you. Note that by tradition, in a contest everyone has a 59 or 599 signal.
Get with the program. Specifically, a logging program. There are quite a few options out there. My personal choice is the N1MM Logger. It’s free and has an amazing array of features. It’s updated regularly and has an extremely active online support community. Most current logging software will interface with just about any modern HF radio.
More Butt-in-Chair Operating-Time = more contacts. Turn off distractions like texting, Facebook, email, TV, broadcast radio, etc. Concentrate. But don’t forget to take breaks. For 5 minutes every hour, get up, stretch, get some fresh air and a glass of water or a cup of coffee.
Set an achievable goal. Face it. If you’re not an experienced contester with a ‘big gun’ station (yet!) you’re not going to win. But you can certainly try to beat your score in last year’s contest. Try to work DXCC in a weekend, or outscore your buddy across town.
Study propagation forecasts and get a sense of what bands are likely to be open to areas you want to work, and at what times. This will help you come up with a basic plan. But remember that band openings can occur at any time, so if you’re operating in a category that allows it, keep an eye on the DX cluster because those openings can often be brief but intense.
Don’t waste time in pileups early in the contest, especially if you have a ‘little pistol’ station like mine. Sure, give those rare ones a call or two, you may get lucky. You’re competing with guys running plenty of power into big antennas. Go back to them later in the contest, after they’ve worked all the ‘big guns.’ Often enough they’ll be begging for contacts and you’ll work them easily.
Work those mults! Most contests include ‘multipliers’ in their scoring system. Basically, your score is calculated like this: You get a set number of points for each contact. Then, depending on the contest, you get an additional mult for each new country, state, county, etc. that you work. Multiply your QSO points by the number of mults to calculate your total score. Working more mults makes a much bigger difference in your score than another contact in the same country or state. Again, read the rules for the contest you’re operating in.
Know those knobs! Try to familiarize yourself with the controls on your radio. Just about every rig has an attenuator, a pre-amp, an RF gain control, and a noise blanker. Most also include an IF shift or pass-band tuning adjustment. An old trick that QRP (very low power) operators use is to turn OFF the pre-amp and turn ON some attenuation. That may seem counterintuitive, but now if a station is loud to you, the chances are much better that you’re also loud to them. Let their big antennas and high power do the ‘heavy lifting.’ Similarly, turning down your RF gain can knock down a nearby (in frequency) high-power station so that you can work a weaker station.
Use standard phonetics. My call is N1GNV. Years ago, I enjoyed having a small vegetable garden. It was kind of fun to announce my call as ‘No One Grows Nicer Vegetables’ on the local repeater or among ham radio friends. In a contest, however, that only causes confusion and mistakes — and is considered poor practice. November One Golf November Victor is what the other guy is expecting to hear. In noisy or otherwise difficult conditions, I might say “Golf November Victor, Germany Norway Victoria” but that’s about it.
Listen before you call. Make sure you’ve got the other station’s call and exchange. You can even pre-enter it in your logging software. Listen to his pattern. Does he say ‘QRZ?’ after each contact? You want to make sure you’re transmitting when he’s listening. Work him (making sure he’s got YOUR call correct!), hit enter, and he’s in your log. Move on to the next one.
Finally — this is a hobby. It’s supposed to be FUN!! Enjoy the contest, and I hope to work you on all the bands.”
Rogers’ Recollections: A Chronicle of Excellence and Achievement
By Ian A. Anthony
Edward Samuel Rogers Sr. (1900 – 1939) (Rogers)
“Your inventiveness, endeavors, determination, and resourcefulness stand as inspiring testaments for us all”
JUNE 21, 1900
Edward Samuel Rogers becomes the newest addition to the prestigious Rogers Family. He is the third child of Albert S. and Mary Rogers Edward, brother to Katherine and J. Elsworth Albert S. Rogers.
JULY 21, 1913
Edward S. Rogers is the subject of an article in The Toronto Telegram newspaper “Toronto Boys’ Wireless Caught Story of Wreck in Ireland.” This is the first news article about Mr. Rogers, and it speculates he has “probably the very best amateur wireless apparatus in the province”. The article is written because Edward received a message transmitted from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, about the S.S. Haverford, which ran aground amongst rocks off of Queenstown, Ireland.
APRIL 1919
At 18, Edward S. Rogers is awarded one of the first amateur licenses for radio-telegraph operation in Canada. This is in accordance with the Radio Telegraph Act of 1913, whose wartime restrictions have just been lifted. Mr. Rogers operates a half-kilowatt telegraph set which he hand-crafted when he was 11. Under the callsignal “3 BP” he broadcasts on a range of 300 metres from his family home in Toronto.
DECEMBER 9, 1921
Edward S. Rogers makes Canadian broadcasting history when at 21 he becomes the first Canadian amateur to successfully transmit a transatlantic radio signal from Newmarket, Ontario to Androssan, Scotland. Mr. Rogers is participating in a contest sponsored by the American Radio Relay League to test radio signaling across the Atlantic Ocean. He is the only Canadian contestant to achieve the goal. Moreover, it is also the farthest that a Canadian radio unit had ever signaled.
JANUARY 1922
Edward S. Rogers’ “3BP Newmarket, Ontario” is listed on the front cover of “QST” magazine about the success of the American Radio Relay League trans-oceanic contest. QST is a monthly magazine published by the ARRL. Mr. Rogers’ is the only Canadian station mentioned in the list of 26. QST states:
“The Atlantic Ocean has been bridge by the signals of amateur stations. This accomplishment is epoch-making and opens the door to unguessed possibilities in private radio communication”
FEBRUARY 1922
Edward S. Rogers is instrumental in assembling radio station 9AH which is a broadcast facility owned and operated by the Toronto Star newspaper.
MARCH 1922
9AH becomes Canada’s First Covers America (CFCA), the first commercial radio station in Toronto. In addition, Edward S. Rogers begins operating the Toronto Star Radio Car in and around the Toronto area. The Radio Car is the only one of its type in Canada, a specially built truck with a wave coil antenna, receiving set, and a large high power amplifier horn-speaker. Mr. Rogers drives the Radio Car to various parks and beaches in Toronto where crowds gather to listen to programs broadcast by CFCA.
AUGUST 1, 1924
After years of dedicated research and bold experimentation on the part of his family, 24-year old Canadian inventor Edward S. Rogers creates his 15S, the world’s first Alternating Current Simple Rectifier Tube. This permits the heater in the radio tube to operate from 110-volt household electric light sockets rather than being powered by large batteries, and allows the home wiring system to act as a signal conduit thus eliminating the need for aerials.
The AC tube also removes the background “hum” caused by Direct Current batteries, giving listeners a clearer sound from the speakers. This innovative tube contains a better insulator which Mr. Rogers successfully developed that electro-magnetically and electrically shields the input and output circuits of the tube from the heater which all but eliminates the AC hum itself.
During his early work, skeptics said “It can’t be done.” Rogers’ groundbreaking achievement proved “It CAN be done.”
APRIL 8, 1925
Edward S. Rogers makes world history when he and his two chief engineers build the world’s first all-electric radio. The unit operates with 5 Rogers AC Tubes and the Rogers B-Eliminator Power Unit. This unit later becomes marketed as “Type 120”.
JUNE 1925
Standard Radio Manufacturing acquires the holdings of the Canadian Independent Telephone Company and the Canadian Machine Telephone Company from Rogers Radio Standard Radio. They begin marketing the “Rogers “B-Eliminator” and the “Rogers Transformer”. These devices contain Rogers RX-100 AC Rectifier Tubes, and act as adaptor power conversion units which allow radios to operate from standard AC household electric currents rather than B-type Batteries. A person first connects the Eliminator to a light socket, and then links the Eliminator to the radio. Standard Radio presents its first advertisement in the June 8 edition of The Toronto Star newspaper, and the June edition of Radio magazine. This declares Standard Radio’s holdings, intentions and products, and the statement of:
The Standard Radio Manufacturing Corporation, Limited is an: “all- Canadian” company — Canadian capital — Canadian officers — executives — engineers and staff — Canadian plant — all organized to produce the very finest in Radio for the Canadian public
SEPTEMBER 1925
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Above: Advertisements, like this full page add in Maclean’s Magazine on November 1925, proved to be so incredibly effective for Standard Radio Manufacturing that Edward S, Rogers proclaimed that “1926 [would] be a ‘Batteryless’ Year”. (Macleans)
Rogers Batteryless Radio Receiving Sets are on display at two exhibits within the Canadian National Exhibition. In an edition of The Toronto Star newspaper on September 3, 1925 Rogers Batteryless Radios are described as the “Wonder Radio”. Meanwhile, Batteryless Radios are not introduced in the United States until May, 1926 and then in Europe in 1927.
Later in December, Standard Radio and the Rogers Batteryless Radio are the subject of a three page article within “Radio” Magazine titled “A Romance in Radio: Rogers Batteryless Set Creates New Standard in Radio Principles and Reception”
The story is accompanied by a photo whose caption reads: “where science and machinery meet” . The last paragraph of the article is of particular merit: “Canada may well be proud of the Rogers batteryless set as an outstanding contribution to the development and simplification of radio.”
JANUARY 29, 1927
Edward Rogers makes electronic history when he creates the world’s first all-electric telegraph station. He changes his callsignal from “3 BP” to “9 RB” in keeping with Standard Radio’s VE9RB license.
FEBRUARY 10, 1927
Edward S. Rogers founds Canada’s First Rogers Batteryless (CFRB) Broadcasting Station. CFRB boasts a power of 1,000 watts, and has a broadcast tower site at The Pinnacle in Aurora, Ontario. This is the first Batteryless AC Broadcasting Station in the world, and is described as “the second great contribution to Radio progress in Canada”(the first being the invention of the Batteryless Radio)
FEBRUARY 19, 1927
8:45 p.m.
CFRB begins broadcasting. The CFRB initial program schedule runs 3 hours. Attorney-General W.H. Price conducts the Official Opening, the Reverend W. Cameron makes Introductory Remarks, and Jack Arthur conducts a symphony orchestra from the Uptown Theater. CFRB’s first program provides the clearest and strongest transmission signal and better programs than the other five radio stations then operating in Toronto. Reports of CFRB reception come from all parts of Canada and the United States, from expedition parties in the Arctic Circle, and ships sailing in the Atlantic and Pacific. CFRB is acclaimed for using more live talent than any other station in Canada, using live broadcasts during evening programming, and recorded music during the day.
OCTOBER 1928
Standard Radio Manufacturing merges with the Grigsy-Grunow Company of Chicago, manufacturer of “Majestic Electric” radios, a batteryless radio in the United States, and the company is renamed as the Rogers-Majestic Corporation. Rogers-Majestic is now the single largest manufacturer of radios in Canada.
FEBRUARY 1930
Edward S. Rogers weds Velma Melissa Taylor. This is the fruition of what has become popularly known as “The Romance of Radioland”. The newlywed couple honeymoon in Florida, Jamaica and Cuba
SEPTEMBER 25, 1930
Edward S. Rogers wins a license to experiment with Television, and begins some early work . This is one of four television licenses issued by the government, and demonstrates genuine foresight by Mr. Rogers as television does not become a reality in Canada until 1948
AUGUST 1931
Rogers-Majestic is contracted by the T. Eaton Company to develop a new brand of radio, and launches the Viking model, available exclusively through Eaton’s
Rogers-Majestic builds its radios with the finest, most advanced superheterodyne reception system, developed by Rogers engineers and featured at the Canadian National Exhibition.
DECEMBER 1931
Rogers-Majestic launches the Rogers Radio Tube Tester. This device is used in hardware and radio stores for salesmen or customers to test the strength of their tubes. A tube is placed in a slot, and its power is measured on a gauge bearing the Rogers Batteryless logo.
SEPTEMBER 1932(Separate article)
Rogers-Majestic launches a new newspaper advertisement campaign by creating a column feature article “Radio Talks”. Edward S. Rogers writes these pieces which are intended to explain radio technology in layman’s terms and are printed in The Daily Mail and Empire newspaper for six weeks commencing September 19, and closing October 31.
“Radio Talks” — By E.S. ROGERS: President of the Rogers-Majestic Corporation — the man who made possible batteryless radio reception
Radio tubes are, perhaps, the most vital part of radio. The discovery of tubes banished the old nerve-straining crystal set and gave us the permanent reliable radio entertainment we enjoy today. The next step was my development of the AC Tube — which made possible for the first time a radio — Rogers Radio — which operated from the ordinary electric current in the home. That was eight years ago–eight eventful years in which Rogers has time and time again introduced new standards of radio performance. But time makes all things obsolete.
This year Rogers Radio introduces in its seven new models, five new types of fully guaranteed tubes that start where the original AC tube leaves off — and mark a decided improvement in tubes. These Rogers tubes, procurable only in the new Rogers and Majestic radios, are entirely new — in shape, design and principle. No mere words can express the difference they make. Only a demonstration can prove their ability to increase power and volume, their active sensitivity in finding stations, their power in recreating pure unspoiled tone beauty.
With all these advantages the new Rogers tubes, combined with other Rogers features, set a new high mark for others to aim at.
AUGUST 20, 1934
In the early morning, fire sweeps through CFRB’s control room, destroying broadcasting facilities. Station engineers, Bell Telephone technicians and Hydro Electric experts labor through the dawn and build a temporary control panel. CFRB begins its morning schedule without losing a single minute, meaning the station maintains its seven year history of uninterrupted broadcasts
JUNE 1935
The Canadian Radio Corporation launches the new Rogers Metal Spray Tube. This is an advancement of the Spray-Shield Tube and is a multi-purpose in that it has a heavier metal, black coating, have a dowel guide-plug and eight-prong base to be interchangeable with other types of metal tubes, and sets a higher standard in noise reduction and greater heat dissemination so the set can operate at higher temperatures than previously
FEBRUARY 1939
CFRB is described by The Globe newspaper as having “the most complete studio and control room in Canada”. With 3 studios and 6 control boards, neon lighting, and a master-clock in the control room which operates clocks throughout the studios, as well as, red warning lights that flash at set intervals to advise performers and technicians of approaching end-times of radio programs is as complete as studios get.
MAY 6, 1939
Edward S. Rogers Sr. passes away suddenly after a hemorrhage. Obituaries are printed in every Toronto newspaper, as well as Variety, the entertainment trade magazine in the United States. At a Memorial Service, held on May 8, Edward S. Rogers Sr. is laid to rest in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. CFRB President Harry Sedgewick reads a special tribute to Mr. Rogers broadcast over CFRB. This includes the statement of:
“Canadians may well be proud of that the first all electric radio in the world was made by Ted Rogers here in Toronto. Since that time, he made many outstanding contributions to the science of radio communication, and broadcasting as we know it today is heavily indebted to him.”
CFRB next plays Handel’s “Largo”, then maintains radio silence as a mark of respect from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm, the hours when the funeral occurs.
MAY 10, 1939
The Canadian Radio Corporation publishes a two-page Memoriam letter about Edward S. Rogers Sr. The letter is written by Burdick A. Trestrail, Vice President of the CRC, and longstanding friend and partner of Edward S. Rogers Sr. since 1925. This contains the notable remarks of:
“His activities were many and varied. The radio factory, the tube plant and the broadcasting station will stand as monuments to his memory and tributes to his useful genius.”Reprinted courtesy of Rogers Telecommunications Limited.
Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio, often referred to by its acronym RaDAR, is a concept for operating an amateur radio station anywhere, anytime and even in adverse environmental conditions. This concept supports the amateur radio service’s emergency communications mandate.
Where the concept originated
Radio amateurs from South Africa came up with a concept to build a comfortable portable radio station capable of operating for extended periods while walking or stationary after walking to a specified site.
The idea was discussed in an open forum and ideas gleaned from many of the local hams, some prototyping was done and the “Shack in a Sack” (SiaS) concept was born.
In August 2009 RaDAR – Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio, was launched – a more professional version of the SiaS concept.
Natural evolution
Rapid deployment of an amateur radio stations was the goal of RaDAR. Initially it was a requirement to walk at least one kilometer carrying all station equipment, antennas and logistics to the operating position. This was no different to any other similar outdoor amateur radio activity.
The need to be different
There was no time limit set for an initial deployment so the essence of deploying quickly was not quite there, it was simply too easy.
Some experiments were done and RaDAR once again evolved into a more refined idea by having to move station for a required distance depending on the mode of transport after every five contacts. No other amateur radio activity in the world works this way. RaDAR is different.
The concept adapted
Rapid deployment and indeed rapid re-deployment is what makes RaDAR different otherwise it would be just the same as any other amateur radio activity – nothing different to what has been done for a 100 years.
RaDAR has evolved into something where movements are the highlight. It is therefore more than just making QSO’s, it’s a challenge to decide quickly where and how to set up an effective station, proving it works by making 5 contacts, packing up making sure nothing is left behind, moving and doing it all over again.
Sure it’s a different challenge including repeated physical activity. It’s also a method of learning, practising and finding what works and what does not.
Modes of communication
RaDAR promotes the use of voice, digital, point to point VHF and UHF communications and even satellite communications. The use of terrestrial repeaters is however not allowed, for the “RaDAR Challenge” purposes at least.
The future of RaDAR
Many looking to practice amateur radio in different ways will see it’s value and the extreme fun it can be. The highlight is the “moving” aspect of RaDAR which is what makes RaDAR different to all other amateur radio activities.
A slogan was appropriately recently developed, “RaDAR – daring to be different”.
For the first time ever, popular pizza delivery chain Papa John’s is offering its customers the chance to order pizza via Morse code to celebrate its partnership with Call of Duty® and the new World War II game, Vanguard.
Available from 28th November 2021, pizza lovers can transport themselves back in time by ordering their Papa John’s treats through dashes and dots.
They’ll simply need to sign up at https://www.papajohnsmorsecode.co.uk/win the chance to get their hands on a complimentary Morse Code Kit and order themselves a free Call of Duty® Bundle, including one large pizza, classic side, large drink, and access to bonus in-game items, delivered in a limited-edition pizza box.
Those who receive a Morse Code kit will need to get their head in the game to crack the code and unlock a complimentary Call of Duty® Bundle. Customers will need to guess one of the five game-related codes and translate this into Morse code, with each code correlating to a specific pizza topping: Cheese and Tomato, All the Meats, Vegan Garden Party, Hawaiian or Double Pepperoni.
Giles Codd, UK Marketing Director at Papa John’s said: “We’re super excited to launch a first with our Morse code ordering service and to continue our partnership with Call of Duty®.
“Gaming and pizza go hand in hand, it’s the perfect meal choice when you’ve got your head in the game and we hope our customers enjoy the exclusive bundle and limited-edition box, whilst making the most out of the complimentary bonus in-game items!”
The pizza delivery chain has also partnered with Call of Duty Endowment to raise funds to help veterans into high quality employment in the UK. Customers can scan the QR code on the limited-edition Call of Duty® pizza box for information on how to donate.
The new Vanguard game enters the world of WWII, where gamers can immerse themselves into the 1940s and experience influential battles, across the four fronts of war, as the characters fight for victory across the Eastern and Western Front of Europe, the Pacific, and North Africa. The new game also features a single-player Campaign mode, a fantastic Multiplayer mode and chilling new Zombie experience.
Pizza fanatics can head to the Papa John’s website or app to order the Call of Duty® Bundle now and sign up at http://www.papajohns.co.uk/gaming for the chance to win a Gaming Bundle, including the latest gaming console, headset and more!
To get your hands on a Morse Code Kit, follow the steps below:
Sign up for the chance to receive a Morse Code Kit here:
Scan the QR code on the Morse Code Kit and follow the instructions
Identify one of the five game-related codes (there’ll be clues in the information card!)
Input one of the five codes using the Morse Code Kit
The code will automatically be sent to Twitter and tag @papajohnsuk
Papa John’s will identify the codes sent to Twitter and contact the recipient to arrange a free pizza delivery
The “Best” Random Wire Antenna Lengths Random wire lengths you should and should not use! Jack, VE3EED – SK
Updated 07-08-2021
I have proven the following to work as needed in my filed operations and some fixed use antennas in the garden
IPS Proven : 26 29 35.5 41-43 52 71 119-120
The random wire antenna is probably one of the least expensive, easiest and cheapest HF antennas to use if you have a tuner and you want to get the “most” out of a length of “random” wire without having to pull out that calculator, doing the math, getting the center insulator built or bought, running the feedline, and all the rest that goes with putting up a more elaborate antenna. All you need for a random wire antenna is some wire, your tuner, one or more supports up as high as you can get them to string the wire from the supports to the tuner, at least one or two insulators and a little time.
One single wire, no solder connections, very simple…. all the way from the tuner to the end support. That’s it in a nutshell…..or is it?
Many hams have tried till they are blue in the face to install the random wire antenna that works on most; if not all of the HF bands with terrible results.
Swr usually is all over the place and the tuner will just not do it’s job. You can get good loading and low swr on sometimes 2 or 3 bands, but one or more of the bands that you want, just will not cooperate with an swr that can be adjusted with the “tuner”.
So after much frustration..down it comes and you go on to a totally different type of antenna….all that time just wasted in your opinion…..until now!
We recently found some good information about random wire lengths that you should and should not use.
Jack, VE3EED, hopefully has solved a major headache we all have when we attempt to go thru the trial and error and frustration with getting the random wire to work where WE want it to work.
He knew that in order for the tuner to “see” a fairly low swr to work within it’s range, that the antenna had to be NOT A HALF WAVE ON ANY FREQUENCY that we wanted to us, because a half wave will give us a very high impedance and the resulting swr into a 50 ohm transmitter!
So Jack took most of one day, did the math with the aid of his trusty calculator, several cups of coffee and came up with………………………….
In Jack’s own words…. “Here’s the word on random-wire antennae.”
Presented for your consideration by Jack, VE3EED.
The table below represents half wave lengths and multiples that you DO NOT WANT TO USE!
You have to stay away from a half wavelength on any frequency. Therefore, we came up with the following numbers to avoid (IN FEET):
These lengths in the table below are the culprits that cause all of the trouble when using random lengths.
Frequency MHz
1/2 Wave
2nd Multiple
3rd Multiple
4th Multiple
1.9
246
492
738
984
3.8
123
246
369
492
7.2
65
130
195
260
10.1
46
92
138
184
14.2
33
66
99
132
18.1
26
52
78
104
21.3
22
44
66
88
24.9
19
38
57
76
28.5
16
32
48
64
So those are the numbers above that we have to stay as far away from as possible when building a long-wire antenna.
REVISION NOTE: We had a note from James, KB5YN, pointing out that one of my so-called GOOD numbers was 220 feet. That is the 10th multiple of a half wave on 15 meters. Well, I didn’t think it would make any difference at that many multiples. However, the radio didn’t tune up very well on 15 meters.
So, having nothing better to do one day, I re-did the calculations going out to 500 feet. That meant calculating all the way to 32 multiples of a half wave on 10 meters. I won’t bore you with all that so the first portion of this still only shows up to the 4th multiple. There are so many new frequencies to stay away from, that it gets pretty tricky for the longer wires. However, the list has been revised and is good for wires as long as 500 feet. 73…. JACK, VE3EED
ve3ips 