W9IQ
| Joined: | Sat, Apr 4th 1998, 00:00 | Roles: | N/A | Moderates: | N/A |
Latest Posts
| Topic | Author | Posted On |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Arrestors | WB2KEU | on 18/2/21 |
| I doubt that placing the arrestor at the base of the antenna will have any effect on SWR or degrade the antenna performance in any meaningful way. With that being said, the National Electric Code requires that the antenna coax be grounded to the household earth safety ground prior to the coax entering the building. So that is the more typical spot for the lightning arrestor as it also satisfies this grounding requirement. Even if you are not subject to NEC in your area, it is still a good practice to follow. - Glenn W9IQ |
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| Kenwood TS-450S | KJ6NAI | on 11/2/21 |
| You will need a 12 volt supply that is capable of supplying more than 20 amps. Most hams pick a 30 or 35 amp supply to have some "head room" for other accessories. Make sure to select a supply that is made for the ham market or it may generate a lot of interference. The simplest antenna is a dipole. Get a copy of the ARRL Handbook to get some basic ideas how to construct one out of a couple of lengths of wire, some insulators and coax cable. You may need a microphone for the radio if you are planning on talking on voice (SSB). Look in the manual for a compatible microphone model. If you are interested in CW (Morse code) then you will need a "key". Again the ARRL handbook can help you get an understanding of the various models, features and benefits. Download a copy of the ARRL color band plan so that you know where you can operate and with what modes. Then get on the air and have your first QSO (contact with another station). It is a magical feeling. - Glenn W9IQ |
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| Mobile Radios | commstech1 | on 11/2/21 |
| Yes it is quite possible. The technique is called "cross banding". It works by using a suitably equipped mobile radio that listens on one band (e.g. 2 meters) and simultaneously retransmits on another band (e.g. 70 cm). By using different bands, the need for expensive and bulky duplexers is avoided. The FCC rules require that the cross banding radio issue identification just as all amateur radio operators must. So look for a radio that is capable of automatically identifying by sending your call in CW on both bands. I have a Kenwood VM-71A that meets all of these requirements that I enjoy using for cross banding. I have had it out for ARES training (emergency communications) and it does a great job. Good luck with your test - study for the General test at the same time to get many more privileges for just a little extra work! - Glenn W9IQ |
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| 12-17 Meter Dual Band Yagi | DataJ | on 8/2/21 |
| Jim, It would be helpful to know the spacing and the length of the elements and their sections. What type of traps did you use on the new element? Is the new element configured as a director or a reflector? What is the brand/model number of the base rotatable dipole? With regard to the 12 meter lack of a match, did the antenna provide a match on 12 meters when it was a single element antenna? If so what was changed besides adding the new element? Do you have a proper common mode choke by the hairpin match? - Glenn W9IQ |
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| Basic Antennas - Seeking clarification | KJ4ZCV | on 8/2/21 |
| Happy to help. When you get into this a little further, you will find that those values also equate to the same SWR - 2:1 in this case. - Glenn W9IQ |
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