My Yaesu FT100 CT-62 CAT Interface Cable, Dell Dimension 2350, and N1MM Contest Logger are now talking. I'm watching my band map as operators in the Ohio QSO Party continue their proud tradition into the evening. Additionally, I've connected to my first ever Telnet node and what a feeling. This is too cool!
Sometimes ham radio is all about small steps however I feel like a giant step was taken this afternoon.
Contest on.
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Thanks for stopping by the shackadelic this morning. I'm listening to 40Meter CW at the moment and enjoying my first but not last cup of java.
Antenna options emerging from the case study are--
I'm learning a typical antenna in a CC&R defined community is not permanently affixed to any structure. A vertical mounted on the balcony railing might work well because of its low angle of radiation and omni direction. But the downside is noise and deployment of a radial system beneath the vertical. These are engineering challenges. But loaded coils are an option. What about signal attenuation because of over hangs?
In contrast, an off center fed dipole or an off center fed doublet fed with 450 Ohm window line, may improve the signal-to-noise ratio versus a vertical. And improve one's gain as well. I'm thinking an antenna tuner in this system.
I like, AA5FR's answer to the metal dilemma, specifically railings. His use of plastic hangers as spacers are ingenious. And like he said, the situation is less than perfect, but AA5FR is operating and that is the mission.
Pat, thanks for commenting on the antenna case study, and supporting links.
Putting the Ham in Ham Radio, 73.
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Additional data for consideration--
His noise is more than likely related to electronic devices rather than propagation. Additionally, I have the same overhang dilemma and extended my Outbacker Joey using a wooden mast. Signals did improve once I moved the antenna out from under the overhang.
I'll look up loaded coils in HF Antennas For All Locations.
73 from the shack.
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I'm waiting for my Hawaiian style pizza (bacon and pineapple) while listening to KLOS 95.5 streaming out of Los Angeles. My antenna is deployed and there is something happening this weekend. It's ham radio! I'm looking to log a few Qs in the Ohio QSO Party and Hawaii QSO Party (shaka) this weekend.
And Learn CW Online is ultra boss. Many thanks goes out to Toby, DH1TW for the link.
Fabian, DJ1YFK is rockin the world of Morse code. High five dude!
73 from the shackadelic.
P.S.
check out total.pardo as well.
It is time for HamRadio2.0 and you are invited to join our discussion on Ustream Live, Interactive Broadcasting. The above screenshot is channel HamRadio2.0 featuring text, audio, and video capabilities for each participant. Are you interested? Then prepare your web cam and audio. You might be chosen to co-host HamRadio2.0 with me. Fun!
The above screenshot is the control panel utilized by the broadcaster. I can create polls, invite a co-host or two, turn on your microphone, and few other goodies. What is really, really important is registration prior to joining my live broadcast. After registration, type HamRadio2.0, into the search bar. Or follow us on Twitter and/or FriendFeed for live updates. Join us as we have fun this Sunday at 11 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time or 1800 Universal Time Coordinated. 73. I would like to present an antenna case study. One that is real world. This is the situation.
Our ham radio operator is new to the hobby, lives in an apartment building, and would like to work high frequency (HF) in a big way. Right on. But he has limited access to the larger ham radio community. What antenna choices can he make given the following parameters?
Let's think 100-watts into QRP operation.
Parameters.
Antenna solutions for our new ham radio operator who wants to operate HF just like all of us?
Contest on.
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Count me as one of those antenna geeks, please. I'm looking forward to a great education from Les Moxon, G6XN and the price is right. All the best. And good DX.
Contest on.
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I like this anonymous. Straight to the point. That's style.
73 from the shackadelic.
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Why do I like Learn CW Online? It's all in the scoreboard, baby! Thanks for stopping by the shackadelic.
Contest on.
Interested in Morse code? Want to improve code speed? Want to keep your Morse code skills sharpened? If living in a CC&R defined community and accessing high frequency (HF) is difficult then Learn CW Online.
The next generation learning tool is available and Learn CW Online by Fabian Kurz, DJ1YFK is totally right on.
I signed up and already scored 2758 points copying callsigns. Check this one out stadium Earth fans, Fabian, DJ1YFK nailed 10603 points and 106 character speed for the numero uno spot. Who is going to topple this giant? Fastest copied attempt with greater than 90% accuracy belongs to KU5B at fifty-seven.
Learn CW Online gets four geek stars for coolness.
73 from the shack.
Part II, Theory Into Practice for example covers the following topics--
Learning is fun and I will follow up as the pages turn.
73 from the shack.
I missed ham radio this weekend. And traveling through Los Angeles into Long Beach allowed me time to think about a few things. Ham radio is a fantastic hobby. One that is bringing lots of joy into my life. Likewise, ham radio is allowing me to think in new directions, to look at my life from a new perspective, and establish new career goals.
I'm like the new kid on the block. Everything in ham radio is bright and shiny. There is no dullness, at least from my perspective, and nothing to feel bored about. I read my backlog of QST magazines and came away feeling inspired. There is a lot going on and my words hardly capture the magnitude of innovation and change.
Our Strategic Plan.
Perhaps the biggest change is coming out of Newington. David Sumner, K1ZZ in the September 2008 issue of QST wrote Planning for the ARRL's Second Century. He highlighted several mega-issues now confronting the health and well being of our organization. The word 'mega' is big time and it riveted my attention.
Mega is operationally defined in the document as, "...Overiding issues of strategic importance that cut across multiple outcome areas."
This, at least for me, is a defining moment for all who are passionate about and love ham radio. I hope, if one is looking for content in the ham radio conversation, that our strategic plan is foremost. Because, for me, the party is over. We are getting down to the nuts and bolts of our future and as a stakeholder in this future, it is serious business.
Mega Issues.
There are 13 immediate mega issues confronting our League and the top listed in the document are--
Each additional issue builds on the other in importance and relevancy boiling down to the sustainability of ham radio through the 21st Century. I'm coming away with this, "Our League is only as united as we are."
The future is? That will depend on the actions of each of us as stakeholders in the strategic plan and our League. I observed less than five identifiable ham radio antennas on my way to Long Beach this weekend. No dipoles swaying from the roofs of the dense suburban landscape. I observed more cell phones antennas than ham radio handheld transceivers (HT). I did not see one vanity callsign license plate either. Even in Los Angeles!
Think about our strategic plan. Talk about our strategic plan. And get into action because our future depends on it.
73 from the shack.
