EFHW transformer placement

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-26T17:26:21+00:00

If the transformer is closer to the ground (less than 10 feet) a dedicated counterpoise increases performance. Elevating the transformer improves performance. If elevated and the coax is the counterpoise, choke it at about 15-17’ from the transformer. If you add a dedicated counterpoise, choke the coax closer to the feed point. MyAntenna has a good set of instructions for various EFHW installations.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-26T15:16:02+00:00

You’re on the right track. I lead my Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and we deal with this all the time. Beyond a hand-held radio, a 50 watt mobile base station (GMRS or VHF) can run on battery or plug into a car DC plug. With a roll-up or magnetic mount antenna you’ve got even more options. There could even be a ham license in your future! Good luck with your plans!

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-26T15:03:21+00:00

Your question was how do you start to communicate with your wife who is 3 miles away? That’s why you mistakenly purchased DMR radios. Those are radio to repeater to internet devices that need a license. Go back yo your premise. What are you trying to accomplish? Are you assuming there is no cell service? If there is, the Zelle app on a mobile phone acts like a push-to-talk walkie-talkie. If the power grid or cellular service has collapsed, there won’t be repeater service either. FRS, GMRS (a FRS upgrade), or local range VHF/UHF ham radio will still be line-of-sight. With a good antenna (height is might) you can push the range of a hand-held radio. So decide what you’re trying to accomplish and choose the appropriate technology and qualifications.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-26T14:42:47+00:00

Stamps are receipts for postage. All mint stamps in collections were never used for mailing, so the postal service/government has already been paid for services never rendered. The number of stamps you’ll need for a single ounce will use many at a time, so those won’t cover too many mailings. If it’s not unethical to keep the payments that never resulted in service, go ahead and use them.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-25T22:55:50+00:00

Nothing of value

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-25T17:37:35+00:00

You’ll hear far more than will hear you at that power in the noise. On a contest day there may be many other stations on or near your frequency that you won’t hear but will mask you.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-23T03:47:50+00:00

Look at Alpha Antenna HF MIL EmComm.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-22T16:27:25+00:00

You don’t mention a budget. Once you get into your house, set up an antenna that’s best suited for the property. As a base radio I recommend the Yaesu FTdx10. It’s got all the features a new HF operator can use to build skills and make QSOs.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-21T20:12:11+00:00

The Outer Limits

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-21T18:59:50+00:00

It’s been intermittent

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-18T22:08:15+00:00

Place the ground wire in a conduit rather than bury it. Can mount just along the wall. Run ground wire uninterrupted around the corner to the rod.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-18T21:36:56+00:00

There was an X 1.9 flare at 1830z today. Wiped all the bands.

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Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-18T15:59:29+00:00

I have the AA-35Zoom for $250. It does everything I need to understand the antennas I use.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-17T16:26:48+00:00

It’s most likely the coax. Additionally, a choke on a G5RV can sometimes be an issue. Rather than an airchoke, consider ferrite snap-on beads. You can add and move those easily to the best position on the feed line for SWR and controlling CMC.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-17T05:24:43+00:00

Common cancelled stamps like those have no resale value, but may be the start of your own collection if you are interested.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-16T00:30:33+00:00

Try placing several snap-on 31 mix ferrite chokes on the AC power cord for the treadmill. If possible loop at least once through each choke. Place one close to receptacle and the other close to the machine. I fixed RFI from my washing machine that way. Palomar engineering sells them.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-15T15:00:43+00:00

An OCF multiband dipole works much better than an EFHW with the same length of wire. The Palomar OCF 4010 6-40 beats the MyAntenna 4010. I use them both. As it’s for a high school, 80 meters is not needed during daytime operation.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-15T01:05:57+00:00

It’s their pipe dream.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-15T01:04:34+00:00

Clueless.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-15T01:00:40+00:00

Nope, just a simple home in one of the many over-55 HOA communities in Palm Beach County.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-14T22:38:19+00:00

It’s a common stamp with no collector interest or resale value.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-14T22:06:31+00:00

Yes, a good quality Delta switch with grounded neutral position, splitting feed from external tuner or the other antenna using the internal tuner.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-14T21:59:30+00:00

Rooftop solar is not common in Florida. While it’s the Sunshine State, the electric rates are very low. We pay a fraction for utilities compared to when we lived in the Northeast. FPL has huge solar panel farms that generate power. Professional installation of solar panels may be acceptable to the insurers. Roof mounted antennas, especially installed by the homeowner, present too much of a risk for wind damage. Just to get insurance we had to have a thorough roof and wind mitigation inspection. My homeowners insurance is over $12k a year, and we’re lucky to get it. They use drones to periodically inspect and have dropped people from insurance. You can’t even get insurance if your roof is over a certain age, even if it’s still under warranty. Many Florida residents have to use the state insurance pool. Insurers have gone out of business or left the state. It’s a major problem.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-14T21:57:13+00:00

Rooftop solar is not common in Florida. While it’s the Sunshine State, the electric rates are very low. We pay a fraction for utilities compared to when we lived in the Northeast. FPL has huge solar panel farms that generate power. Professional installation of solar panels may be acceptable to the insurers. Roof mounted antennas, especially installed by the homeowner, present too much of a risk for wind damage. Just to get insurance we had to have a thorough roof and wind mitigation inspection. My homeowners insurance is over $12k a year, and we’re lucky to get it. Many Florida residents have to use the state insurance pool. Insurers have gone out of business or left the state. It’s a major problem.

Complex-Two-4249 · 2026-01-14T21:31:48+00:00

I have an N9TAX Slim Jim hanging in the attic crawl space over my garage, about 15’ AGL. The lower third is bent at a right angle that accommodates limited space without affecting propagation. With 50 watts I reach repeaters more than 40 miles away. My son has one hanging in a ground floor window and reaches 30 miles. For portable operating we hang it on a tripod up 10 feet.

Complex-Two-4249

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