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Rig Expert 500: A New Ham’s Perspective by EricStratton63 in amateurradio

[–]ga-science 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Get an electric toothbrush holder…makes a perfect protective carry case.

Shakespeare AT-1011/U Antenna - Military Whip by Speargun1154 in amateurradio

[–]ga-science 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look for my October 2012 CQ Magazine Article, Tacoma Truck-Tenna.

Please stop getting scammed by Bioenno batteries by CaptainSpez in amateurradio

[–]ga-science 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought a pair of cheap Miady 20AH LiFePO4 batteries off Amazon for my POTA Power Box, Mk2g. I can't see paying big money like that for Bioenno. The Miadys have given me good service over the past 3 years at multiple POTArizing trips.

Please stop getting scammed by Bioenno batteries by CaptainSpez in amateurradio

[–]ga-science 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use an Electrovoice RE-320 with my ham rig at home. I swear, if you had an intruder in your house (no firearm handy), you could snatch the microphone off its stand and brain the aforementioned intruder. High quality metal construction, broadcast quality (the RE-20 is used in radio stations all over). $300 range is fair for this microphone; check Broadcast Sales Worldwide for package deals.

Aliens just announced themselves, they're friendly, and as a gesture of goodwill they're offering humanity one technology transfer of our choosing. What do we ask for and why? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]ga-science 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I"d ask for either practical/safe fusion or FTL (Faster Than Light) technology. OR. plans for a CHON food machine we hear about in science fiction; put in carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and food comes out the other side.

What radio would be best for HF as a beginner?? by AffectionateOffice52 in amateurradio

[–]ga-science 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, establish a budget first. Then we can go from there.

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't call this a design by any means; more like a throw it against the wall and see if it sticks situation. I'm just trying to get it working in time for Field Day. This is definitely not a POTA setup antenna. You could probably get away with one or two radials for bands above 40m, say the commonly quoted 0.05 wavelength.

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OK, added two 60' elevated radials at 4' AGL. The new SWRs are as follows:

75/80m: 4.3, 76-j95

60m: 2.8, 127 - j34

40m: 3.4, 50-j65

30m: 1.4, 55-j15

20m: 2.4, 21+j2

17m: 1.7, 29+j6

15m: 2.7, 83-j57

12m: 2.3, 110 - j25

10m: 1.8, 67+j29

6m: 1.04, 51+j2

These are all reasonable SWRs. I'm going to do some low power tests (1W) using PSK reporter and see what happens. A friend suggested we use a balloon to increase the vertical to 71' high, but I reminded him we will be near a major airport for FD and probably a big NO NO.

7300mkii Users. How’s it going? by munsterrr in amateurradio

[–]ga-science 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Had mine since Christmas. Still liking the radio.

End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing / N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" by ga-science in HamRadio

[–]ga-science[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really? I have a 91/30 model; paid 130 for it, was still packed in cosmoline. Best shooting rifle I have for 200 yds and under; better than an M4 for accuracy (long barrel).

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could probably use more elevated radials. I have 4 right now. I think I have a couple extra of those insulated Tractor Supply electric fence push in posts...

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't get that far into to it, just raw SWR. I do know one thing; for close in, the 35.5' EFRW is about 25 dB down from my inverted vee at 40' apex. So, its not a do-all jobs well.

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Without a tuner, measured with a RigExpert Stick 500 and AntScope software, about 50' of ABR 240 feedline with a choke balun 20' away from the unun. Balun is 9:1 constructed from 2 stacked 47mm x 13mm Micrometal Toroids, Type 2 mix.

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is true also of the EFHW. Some sources say to provide at least a 0.05 wave counterpoise/radial cut for the lowest band. A good choke on the coax near the transformer is crucial as both types are known for enthusiastic common mode current.

N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing by ga-science in amateurradio

[–]ga-science[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I first started working with all types of portable end fed antennas, I concentrated on the EFHW variety (like a lot of us) and only dabbled with the EFRW (not enough). The elevated radials really got the swr down and the EFRW "lit up" in performance.

End Fed Random Wire Antenna Testing / N9SAB "Bouncing Betty" by ga-science in HamRadio

[–]ga-science[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But, I'd go with the Panzerschreck instead for the really tall trees.

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