Amateur Radio FAQ

jc1240 said:

I'm looking for antenna ideas. I currently run "portable" even at home. Current set-up (when set up):
Yaesu Ft-891 (100 Watts)
Wolf River Coils "Sporty 40" coil and 213" telescopic whip
50' Messi&Paoloni POTA-Flex-7 (LMR-240 before the POTA-Flex was released)

Wanting to avoid:
tuner
amplifier
Displeased wife
Physical antenna adjustments when switching bands
Other problems:
Wife worse than an HOA with regard to aesthetics.
Tree to the left of the house is a weeping willow and my wife's favorite. Nothing goes in or on that tree.

Lay of the land (photo below):
- White/gray rectangle on left side of house is a foundation to an addition (now fully constructed).
- Yellow hand drawn box is covered deck extending original deck
- Red circle is the approximate location for the antenna I currently deploy
- Red X is the shack location (ground floor).

I run the cable out the window using a cut-up pool noodle to cushion the cable from the closed window (slit for the cable itself) and as insulation on the top of the partially open window. Unrelated to the "problem" I used to use 16 to 24 radials (depending on lazy factor). My son's friends aren't the brightest sometimes, and they would ride dirt bikes across the radials, so I set little soccer cones at the end of each one. Let me tell you how my wife's panties drop when I set that antenna out in the front yard for all the envious neighbors to see. Now I use the "magic carpet" - 36" x 84" aluminum window screen (photo for your enjoyment below).

Bands desired:
40, 20, 15, 10, 6.

Goal:
More-permanent deployment that can be in year-round weather and doesn't need adjustment when swapping bands. I'd like the shack to stay where it is (my office) but may try to relocate somewhere else. Problem is my father-in-law lives in the basement and my parents live in the addition, so they are off-limits.

I'm considering a DX Commander...if I can convince the wife.
EFHW?? Problem is where to physically deploy it
This "HOA Buster" that uses gutters and down spouts (no shortage of those out front, but I lose 6m and probably very compromised but plus is it would have the shortest coax run)
Simple speaker wire dipoles seem to be for one band each
What else??

Feedline loss is a concern, so feedline type also needs to be determined and I'm not 100% against an amplifier...just more money I don't have.

View attachment 443492

View attachment 443493

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Mark75H said:

You can look up ham licenses online by location. There are most likely licensed hams closer to you than you realize.

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TheBert said:

Is that through the FCC DB. My QRZ app only looks up via Call Sign.

KC3OBX

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Amateur Radio License Map | Ham Info

haminfo.tetranz.com

jc1240 said:

I'm looking for antenna ideas. I currently run "portable" even at home. Current set-up (when set up):
Yaesu Ft-891 (100 Watts)
Wolf River Coils "Sporty 40" coil and 213" telescopic whip
50' Messi&Paoloni POTA-Flex-7 (LMR-240 before the POTA-Flex was released)

Wanting to avoid:
tuner
amplifier
Displeased wife
Physical antenna adjustments when switching bands <--an absolute

Other problems:
Wife worse than an HOA with regard to aesthetics.
Tree to the left of the house is a weeping willow and my wife's favorite. Nothing goes in or on that tree.

Lay of the land (photo below):
- White/gray rectangle on left side of house is a foundation to an addition (now fully constructed).
- Yellow hand drawn box is covered deck extending original deck
- Red circle is the approximate location for the antenna I currently deploy
- Red X is the shack location (ground floor).

I run the cable out the window using a cut-up pool noodle to cushion the cable from the closed window (slit for the cable itself) and as insulation on the top of the partially open window. Unrelated to the "problem" I used to use 16 to 24 radials (depending on lazy factor). My son's friends aren't the brightest sometimes, and they would ride dirt bikes across the radials, so I set little soccer cones at the end of each one. Let me tell you how my wife's panties drop when I set that antenna out in the front yard for all the envious neighbors to see. Now I use the "magic carpet" - 36" x 84" aluminum window screen (photo for your enjoyment below).

Bands desired:
40, 20, 15, 10, 6.

Goal:
More-permanent deployment that can be in year-round weather and doesn't need adjustment when swapping bands. I'd like the shack to stay where it is (my office) but may try to relocate somewhere else. Problem is my father-in-law lives in the basement and my parents live in the addition, so they are off-limits.

I'm considering a DX Commander...if I can convince the wife.
EFHW?? Problem is where to physically deploy it
This "HOA Buster" that uses gutters and down spouts (no shortage of those out front, but I lose 6m and probably very compromised but plus is it would have the shortest coax run)
Simple speaker wire dipoles seem to be for one band each
What else??

Feedline loss is a concern, so feedline type also needs to be determined and I'm not 100% against an amplifier...just more money I don't have.

View attachment 443492

Click to expand...

jc1240 said:

I'm looking for antenna ideas. I currently run "portable" even at home. Current set-up (when set up):

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chale127 said:

RadioQTH - Zip Lookup

www.radioqth.net

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Biggfoot44 said:

Looked up my Zip !

25 listings ( 24 humans , one Association )

I was surprised by the number of Females ! 6 recognizably female names ?

Is the hobby really 1/4 females ? ( Yeah I know , Actual Women can do any intellectual or technical pursuits they care to , etc , etc . But they otherwise seem to have only a modest representation in Electronic Geekery ).

Is my territory an anomaly ?
Is it common for guys to arm twist the wives/ GF to get a license also for some reason?

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Free ONLINE Technician Ham Radio License Class!
Dec. 26-29, 2023 (Tuesday-Thursday + optional Friday exam)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. PST Taught via Zoom
Scott Rosenfeld, N7JI, ARRL Registered Instructor
Please provide name, e-mail, and phone number.
Email: ars.n7ji@gmail.com

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km04 said:

Is this online class still available?

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gamer_jim said:

My EFHW from MyAntennas.com is very wife friendly. It's a black 130' wire and people, including spouse, don't notice it if I didn't point it out to them. Currently I have it running out my second story window across the driveway than 90 degree turn down the driveway. I've communicated with people around the world with it. Eventually I want to move it to the big tree out front but need to find someone with a drone or bucket truck for placement.

I also have a BuddiStick for when someday I'll do POTA. Theoretically I shouldn't need a tuner but I can't seem to dial in the clip positions and length of radial. So I have to bring an analyzer and tuner with me.

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A FREE, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Extra Class Licensing course on Zoom
will begin on Thursday, January 18, 2024, and will run through Thursday,
March 28. There will be 11 sessions. The three-hour sessions will
start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time. Sessions will be recorded. Those
attending should hold (or be studying for) the General Class Amateur
Radio License. These are the classes that we have been holding for
years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum. Please publicize
this with anyone that you think would be interested. Those wishing to
sign up should email roland.anders@comcast.net.

Thanks.
73,

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hobiecat590 said:

I shot an arrow into the air and if fell to earth I knew not where (but hopefully over the top of the tree where I want to string up my HAM antenna. ) w/ a string and some lead attached. Plan B, use a fishing line and a 2 oz sinker and a surf casting rig and cast away. Haul the antenna wire up the fishing messenger line.


Good luck

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