I attempted to decode APRS on 147.175MHz, most traffic being received from two fairly local digipeaters (VK2AMW and VK2RHR). Continue reading The extent to which APRS works is often an accident
Category: Amateur Radio
Spoiling balun action with ‘shielded twin’
In a QST column in 2008, a correspondent asked the question
… I have the ladder line terminated to double coaxes that run about 12′ (4m) inside the house to an antenna tuner. Should this pair of coaxes be grounded at one end or both ends?
The Doctor gave a detailed diagram (above) and his advice was… Continue reading Spoiling balun action with ‘shielded twin’
VK3FI QRSS on 473kHz – 19/06/2014
Some four months ago I sent VK3FI in Mildura a QRSS keyer to try on his 600m beacon. The keyer hardware and message content are described at Simple Morse beacon keyer for VK3FI on 600m.
Above is a capture with Spectran received at my location in Bowral tonight 760km east of VK3FI, QRSS3 on 473.000kHz (well perhaps 2Hz higher, Dial freq 472.2kHz USB for the above display). Continue reading VK3FI QRSS on 473kHz – 19/06/2014
Thermograph of small transmitting loop
Martin Ehrenfried (G8JNJ) conducted some interesting experiments on a small transmitting loop.
The loop above is 3.45m perimeter of LDF4-50A Heliax, and uses the full length of the Heliax as a stub for tuning the loop to 5MHz. Continue reading Thermograph of small transmitting loop
Double Bazooka magic
The Double Bazooka seems to have popped up on several fora recently, QRZ, eHam and VKLOGGER.
The Double Bazooka employs a pair of coax stubs as a device for compensation of feed point impedance, extending the VSWR bandwidth, principally to reducing loss in the feed line. Continue reading Double Bazooka magic
Ground effects on KP4MD’s 0.9m loop on 28MHz
This article explores the radiation efficiency of KP4MD’s (Milazzo 2012) small transmitting loop (STL) using a set of NEC-4 models of the loop at varying heights above ‘average’ ground. Continue reading Ground effects on KP4MD’s 0.9m loop on 28MHz
Analysers – help or hindrance
A ham posted online:
I spent several happy hours this weekend building the DE of the 6M Quad described in the June 2014 QST, p 30. When I got it completed, I put the antenna analyzer on it, expecting to find a nice resonance in the 50-51Mhz region and an impedance of 120 ohms or thereabouts. To my surprise, the radiation resistance in the couple of dozen ohm range, and resonance, if that is what I can call it, depends on how am I holding the loop.
After a bit of QST bashing in the thread, he later reveals:
The trial with the analyzer was about 2′ of RG-8X with PL-259s on each end, to BNC jacks on both antenna and analyzer with adaptors.
Analysis
Much as the chap expressed his lack of confidence in modelling tools, NEC reveals what is happening. Continue reading Analysers – help or hindrance
Small transmitting loop EMR safety – EMR Calc predictions
I thought it interesting to compare EMR calc with NEC-4 on my lossless octagonal loop (top tuned), 1m across on 40m in free space radiating 1W. Continue reading Small transmitting loop EMR safety – EMR Calc predictions
Ground effects on small transmitting loop efficiency
This article explores the radiation efficiency of a small transmitting loop (STL) using a set of NEC-4 models of a 3.14m perimeter loop on 7MHz at varying heights above ‘average’ ground. Continue reading Ground effects on small transmitting loop efficiency
Small transmitting loops and EMR safety
Small transmitting loops (STL) are often recommended for use inside buildings, on balconies and even hand held, but are they EMR safe?
Continue reading Small transmitting loops and EMR safety