Category: Gear

  • More Antenna Analysis

    At a recent first aid event, the event organizers had provided us with some HTs to use for coordinating medical care as needed. Unfortunately, some of their radio techs hadn’t been able to come to the event, so they were flying a bit blind and were encountering some issues with their setup. I had my…

  • New Roll-Up J-Pole

    So, now that I have a VNA, and I could see just how terribly my original version of this antenna was, I decided it was time to make a new one. I started following these directions from WD4R, aiming for resonance around 146MHz, right in the middle of the 2m band. However, once the antenna…

  • NanoVNA

    NanoVNA

    I decided to pick up a VNA to supplement/replace my existing SWR meter. My eyes aren’t what they used to be, and figuring out exactly where those two little meter lines crossed was getting pretty difficult. The NanoVNA is an awesome little device, I’ve got to say. Connecting it to my laptop and running NanoVNA-Saver…

  • Mobile Install

    Mobile Install

    Since I have a new car, I figured it was about time to get a radio installed in it. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. Mobile installs offer some unique challenges, and this was no exception. Luckily I had some fellow hams to help! Projects like this always go more smoothly when done with friends.…

  • HT Day

    HT Day

    I’ve got some downtime today, so I’m working on setting up my HT. This involved some hardware and some software upgrades.

  • 3-Beam Yagi Tape Measure Antenna

    3-Beam Yagi Tape Measure Antenna

    Here are my notes on creating a 3-beam Yagi antenna for 2m out of a tape measure and some PVC pipe.

  • Slim-Jim 2m Antenna

    Slim-Jim 2m Antenna

    Here are my notes on creating a “Slim-Jim” 2m modified J-pole antenna out of TV antenna line.