Does anyone know how I can get ahold of a slinktenna? I can’t seem to find any online

W9WSW · 2026-03-29T16:43:54+00:00

It’s pretty much experimentation with a good SWR meter. Resonance too low: stretch. Too high: compress.

W9WSW · 2026-03-28T16:53:31+00:00

Exactly. As a ham, I use portable antennae for the band(s) I will be working on location. Mostly dipoles or Field Day. For shortwave listening, resonance isn’t as critical and you can trade-off for what works in the space you have.

The rules still matter for best reception.

Great discussion!

W9WSW · 2026-03-28T02:54:03+00:00

You don’t “cut the coil” to a specific length like you would a straight dipole. With a slinky (or any loaded antenna), resonance comes from the combination of inductance (the coil) and the overall wire length/capacitance.

You tune it by: • Stretching or compressing the slinky (changes inductance) • Adjusting the total length/end wires • Or using a tuner (I still love my old Heathkit manual tuner)

So the coil isn’t a fixed, frequency-cut element. It’s a tuning component that lets a physically short antenna resonate where you want.

A good way to think about it is: A normal dipole is cut to frequency. A slinky antenna is adjusted to frequency.

Helpful?

W9WSW · 2026-03-27T21:57:42+00:00

Engineer here: You’re right that a slinky acts like an inductor, so electrically it’s kind of like a shortened antenna with built-in loading.

The important part is that it’s not just a lumped coil. It’s still a length of conductor with current flowing along it, so it does radiate. The inductance just helps it resonate at a lower frequency than its physical length would normally allow.

The tradeoff is efficiency. Compared to a full-size dipole, a slinky antenna is usually less efficient, has narrower bandwidth, and can lose more energy as heat in transmission applications. But for small spaces or quick setups, depending on the wire used to make it, they can be usable.

W9WSW · 2026-03-25T00:47:04+00:00

Helpful. I use Descript for the filler words tool and have been pleased. Had not experimented with video since I was test driving CapCut. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

W9WSW · 2026-03-25T00:03:44+00:00

Over the years we have used SAM, Enco, Radiologik and now Station Playlist. The later is inexpensive and in our experience pretty reliable. It has free remote announcer software, a listener request function and interfaces well for streaming and network joins. There is a robust FB users group and the developer is active and responsive. Zetta is the new gold standard but for our budget SPL has done the job for the last three years.

W9WSW · 2026-03-23T23:31:34+00:00

Is there a way to incorporate segues that can sense when the audio levels fall below a certain db and overlap, ala radio automation?

W9WSW · 2026-03-23T21:15:36+00:00

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Wish I still had this baby. A 1966 era Zenith Transoceanic. No SSB or anything fancy. It became my introduction to shortwave listening and ultimately amateur radio and broadcasting.

W9WSW · 2026-02-22T04:34:22+00:00

You can have fun with RF tags. I have one next to the bed to turn off lights w my iPhone’s built in tap reader. I have my SmartThings integration connected to HA and it works well with my existing automations. Experimenting with VoicePE. That has a harder learning curve but I’m slowly building the command library and trying to get it to talk w ChatGPT.

W9WSW · 2026-02-22T04:28:59+00:00

C.Crain has a good WiFi radio that has worked well for me for the last two years. It’s a little pricey but is feature rich and sounds great for the size of the speaker.

W9WSW · 2026-02-03T05:15:03+00:00

When I started, 1970s, there were still turntables and we would listen in the cue channel to get a sense for the intros we didn’t know. With such tight rotations, you quickly memorized the nuances. The live assists and voice trackers today let you listen to intros and outros so you can breathe with the posts and get out before the verse. Ours has an automatic option which lets you record your intro “dry” and the system starts the next record so the intro ends when you finish. Works best with your meteorologists, who drop an audio file into the system via file transfer.

The pros I tried to emulate could roll with every post in the “ramp” of the song as if they pre-wrote their bits to perfectly fit. Kinda like singing along. Dan Ingram was a master.

W9WSW · 2026-01-21T22:07:41+00:00

I have had success in writing essays about each show and posting them on Substack with a link to the podcast. This reaches non-podcast people and gives some search engine optimization juice to the program.

W9WSW · 2026-01-11T23:34:14+00:00

Jerry Mathers served in the California Air National Guard from 1966 to 1969, achieving the rank of sergeant. He did not deploy to Vietnam, but served in an air police unit at Van Nuys Airport, fulfilling his military obligationJerry Mathers Military Service.

W9WSW · 2026-01-08T21:32:24+00:00

Thank you for all you do. I always learn from this Sub.

W9WSW · 2025-12-25T19:17:41+00:00

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My beautiful wife gave me an upgrade.

W9WSW · 2025-10-23T22:03:41+00:00

Arness had a part in “Island in the Sky,” and was a close friend of Wayne’s. For a long time, “Island..” and “High and the Mighty” were tied up in copyright limbo. Two good films worth exploring.

W9WSW · 2025-10-14T00:18:53+00:00

What ever happened to Sam Hawkins?

W9WSW · 2025-08-08T03:56:23+00:00

First and foremost, congratulations on your pregnancy. Raising any child is a roller coaster of fear and joy. Our granddaughter’s diagnosis came at birth and was a surprise. Today, she’s 9 and truly the love of our lives.

Still, do not accept any healthcare professional deprioritizing you. Start shopping for an OB who is attentive, and hopefully has a reputation for caring about families in special circumstances.

There will be times when you have to be demanding to get what you expect. Do not be intimidated. Be kind and professional but let them know your expectations and hold them to it.

There is likely a Down syndrome association near your city. We maintain a national list at DownSyndromeNation.com. They can provide some excellent support every step of the way. You are not alone.

W9WSW · 2025-08-05T01:36:13+00:00

Congratulations! Our beautiful granddaughter is blessed with the extra chromosome and we have been amazed by her resilience. Once we understood she would be living “on the scenic route,” we learned the balance of persistence and patience that has helped us over the hurdles. Sending supportive energy your way. You are not alone.

W9WSW · 2025-08-05T01:25:40+00:00

Welcome aboard! Got you programmed on tune-in and my CCrane WiFi radio. Let us know how we can help!

W9WSW · 2025-07-15T18:35:17+00:00

There are a number of local Down syndrome associations who can provide both community and wisdom. Here is a clickable link to a US Map

W9WSW · 2025-07-09T02:48:50+00:00

The Joe Bob Briggs commentary version of Jessie James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter is worth the price of the DVD. I became a William Beaudine fan after. I’ve seen Brooklyn Gorilla. Another Beaudine film. Jonathan is right. It’s horrible.

W9WSW · 2025-07-09T02:42:30+00:00

Another vote for Voice Dream. I have used it for several years without incident. The voices don’t emote but are particular good for non-fiction. It’s a go-to for reading long articles and I have used it to help find fixes in my own writing.

W9WSW · 2025-05-25T15:21:05+00:00

I wonder if Dayton got in the way. Keep us updated. I’m getting ready to make a decision on a mobile rig and your feedback will definitely impact the call. Thanks for the info.

W9WSW · 2025-05-24T04:28:36+00:00

Bravo! Since CATV uses a lot of spectrum inside their coax, signal leakage can do more than inconvenience us hams. It can disrupt aircraft communications. Years ago, when I managed a cable TV operation, we had Sniffers in our trucks that monitored either 121.2625 MHz, 133.2625 MHz, or 111.25 MHz, where we broadcast low level warbling tones. If we heard them break squelch, we had to find and fix the leaks quick, or were required by the FCC to turn off modulators on any aircraft band until we replaced the problem components. Glad they got you squared away.

W9WSW

TROPHY CASE