Not a lot to report here on my own ham radio. I have gotten some good DX over the spring, talking to 1st time contacts in countries. But, that is not the point of my post.
My email just notified me of 2 more earthquakes in Nepal. After all they've been through, it is heart-breaking to think what has happened to their lives and general survival. Think about your norm... You get up and maybe eat breakfast. Then, you go off to work or school. Maybe you pick up the kids after school and take them to sports practice. Everybody has supper and maybe watches some television...or you get on the radio to see how the RF is doing.
Now imagine that taken away from you. Your home is gone. Maybe some family members or friends are dead. Your entire way of life is gone. That is what has happened to these people.
I was listening the other night to a rag chew on either 80m or 40m (I forget), and the topic was ham radio's emergency response and assistance in situations such as these. One ham commented that by the time anybody gets around to mentioning our role in the emergency, other agencies have taken over the limelight and we're often forgotten. Lots of times, we seldom get mentioned for the selfless volunteerism and personal cost that we "cheerfully" give. It can be a bit disappointing.
But as I mentioned, that isn't the topic. Let us continue to keep these disaster victims, and the aid workers in our hearts and prayers...and hope something like that never happens to us.
About Me
- Steve, KJ4KKI
- Welcome to my little piece of the cyberworld. I am an Amateur Extra Class ham radio operator from Kentucky. In addition to ham radio, other interests include paddling kayaks and canoes, camping, flyfishing, shooting and photography...I am a major Jimmy Buffett fan (fans are known as Parrotheads). But, location, work and finances sort of got in the way of being a beach bum as a career. I am also an animal lover and have several pets. I also have a Facebook page at steve.kj4kki.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Passed Amateur Extra Exam--You Should Do It Also!
Well, today...after a very long period of procrastination...I passed my Extra exam with 94%. That means I missed 3 questions out of 50...well sort of... I didn't go with my first choice on a question on RMS/Peak to Peak Voltage, or I would have made a 96%. Anyway, for anyone thinking of pursuing the Amateur Extra Class, here are some words of encouragement.
First off, it is a workable goal. I once wrote a dissertation where the anxiety level was devastating. A professor told me the secret: one page at a time. Like a lot of hams, I aimed to go for it, but life, family and not wanting to give up free time just put studying on the back burner. I let the date expire on my ARRL study book, and then my 2 year subscription on Ham Test Online expired...still no exam. So, I re-purchased a 2 year subscription and got the Gordon West book to study. I also downloaded a ham test program to my tablet and phone.
I studied whenever possible. I tried to follow the advice on the web site of Ham Test Online. I would get tired of studying for a while, and then have to re-learn some of it. I would have to remind myself that this was something I really wanted, and to keep plugging along. I did one specific thing they suggested: I did not take a bunch of practice exams, but kept the program in study mode. In retrospect, I think that kept a lot of anxiety away as I did not keep failing exams while studying.
I drove to a city a little over an hour away to take the exam. If I failed it, at least the local guys wouldn't know about it... I don't recall a time when I've been so nervous about taking an exam. From what I'd heard, the Spanish Inquisition might have been easier. My hands were severely shaking while I filled out the form.
Then, I got the exam. I answered the questions that I knew the answer to first. Then, I went back to the so-so ones and completed them. Then, I completed the ones that were hardest. I wrote those down (something like 7-8) to see about later. The examiners graded the test, making wise-cracks about if I wanted to take the test again. Hoping for the best, I sat there and joked back with them. One of them took the questions I had noted and looked at them. I found out that if I had gone with my first choice on the RMS question, it would have been correct. Of the 7-8 I wrote down, only 1 was a wrong answer. I had been so afraid of all the electrical questions, math formulas, and components! In the end, not only were there less than I had anticipated, but they weren't that hard to answer.
In the end, I walked out as KJ4KKI/AE, soon to be an official Amateur Extra Class ham. The pressure to study is over. The anxiety is over. I sort of feel like a kid on Christmas night. The excitement is over; I have my toys, but the anticipation is gone. In that void, there is now a sense of pride and accomplishment. Like the Army, I want to be all that I can be.
I hope that you can get your Extra also. Good luck!
First off, it is a workable goal. I once wrote a dissertation where the anxiety level was devastating. A professor told me the secret: one page at a time. Like a lot of hams, I aimed to go for it, but life, family and not wanting to give up free time just put studying on the back burner. I let the date expire on my ARRL study book, and then my 2 year subscription on Ham Test Online expired...still no exam. So, I re-purchased a 2 year subscription and got the Gordon West book to study. I also downloaded a ham test program to my tablet and phone.
I studied whenever possible. I tried to follow the advice on the web site of Ham Test Online. I would get tired of studying for a while, and then have to re-learn some of it. I would have to remind myself that this was something I really wanted, and to keep plugging along. I did one specific thing they suggested: I did not take a bunch of practice exams, but kept the program in study mode. In retrospect, I think that kept a lot of anxiety away as I did not keep failing exams while studying.
I drove to a city a little over an hour away to take the exam. If I failed it, at least the local guys wouldn't know about it... I don't recall a time when I've been so nervous about taking an exam. From what I'd heard, the Spanish Inquisition might have been easier. My hands were severely shaking while I filled out the form.
Then, I got the exam. I answered the questions that I knew the answer to first. Then, I went back to the so-so ones and completed them. Then, I completed the ones that were hardest. I wrote those down (something like 7-8) to see about later. The examiners graded the test, making wise-cracks about if I wanted to take the test again. Hoping for the best, I sat there and joked back with them. One of them took the questions I had noted and looked at them. I found out that if I had gone with my first choice on the RMS question, it would have been correct. Of the 7-8 I wrote down, only 1 was a wrong answer. I had been so afraid of all the electrical questions, math formulas, and components! In the end, not only were there less than I had anticipated, but they weren't that hard to answer.
In the end, I walked out as KJ4KKI/AE, soon to be an official Amateur Extra Class ham. The pressure to study is over. The anxiety is over. I sort of feel like a kid on Christmas night. The excitement is over; I have my toys, but the anticipation is gone. In that void, there is now a sense of pride and accomplishment. Like the Army, I want to be all that I can be.
I hope that you can get your Extra also. Good luck!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Jackite 31 Foot Pole for Portable Ops
I wanted something to take portable, that would allow me a sufficient height above ground, and not require tossing line into trees...or trying to find trees. The Jackite pole was recommended to me.
While this 31 foot, telescoping pole is for their custom-made kites, it works great with lightweight antenna line. The key is to keep the matchbox/balun and coax at the bottom. That way, you only minimally bend the top of the pole, as it looks and behaves more like a giant fishing pole than a stiffer pole.
As I use it with LNR (Par) EndFedz antennas, I fasten the end of the resonator to the pole, and then put a nylon electric fence pole in the ground. I run the antenna as a sloper, and with a piece of cord, I hook the matchbox to the pole. This allows the electric fence pole to absorb the weight of the matchbox and coax. As the electric fence pole has a spike and step pad, it is super easy to just step on it and the stake is driven into even hard ground.
You can simply bungee cord the Jackite pole to a fence post, picnic table, etc., I came up with a great alternate design, where a pole, table or other support isn't available. I took 2 pieces of PVC pipe (one slightly smaller than the other), and fastened them together, side by side, with some hose clamps. The pole won't quite slide into it with the rubber bottom cap, so I slide the pole in from underneath. I then simply slide the smaller pipe over one of those green garden fence poles. I got a short one, and it works perfectly. No other supports are necessary.
UPDATE: If you run something like fishing line to the eyelet, you can lower the antenna to change it. This would allow you to change mono-band antennas, go from QRP to full power, etc.
I've never tried it, but I have one of those extender bars that fits into a receiver on my truck. Instead of having it go out, if it were vertical, a piece of chain link fence railing could be put inside and be great for sliding the Jackite pole over.
UPDATE: I bought a tailgating flagpole holder. You can make one with some wood, but this one is neat. It fits underneath the tire, The tube fits down into it, and a cotter pin locks it in place. Normally, this is all you need to do. The actual Jackite pole on my stand is a tad larger. So, I take the two PVC mounting poles and slip one over the tube, just like with the fence pole method.
One thing to watch out for is tightening it too much, or tightening it while under tension. I sort of got the last piece stuck in place like that. I've read where one or two people had them break and criticized them. Use common sense here. My EF dipole has a bit of slack in it...I don't try to make it completely straight, as I know that is a lot of tension.
A suggestion I can also make is if you design a wire antenna, use small gauge wire, and the pole barely knows it is there. As long as you can get sufficient bandwidth for your needs, the lighter wire performs great. I recommend (and use) Silky wire by The Wireman.
While this 31 foot, telescoping pole is for their custom-made kites, it works great with lightweight antenna line. The key is to keep the matchbox/balun and coax at the bottom. That way, you only minimally bend the top of the pole, as it looks and behaves more like a giant fishing pole than a stiffer pole.
As I use it with LNR (Par) EndFedz antennas, I fasten the end of the resonator to the pole, and then put a nylon electric fence pole in the ground. I run the antenna as a sloper, and with a piece of cord, I hook the matchbox to the pole. This allows the electric fence pole to absorb the weight of the matchbox and coax. As the electric fence pole has a spike and step pad, it is super easy to just step on it and the stake is driven into even hard ground.
You can simply bungee cord the Jackite pole to a fence post, picnic table, etc., I came up with a great alternate design, where a pole, table or other support isn't available. I took 2 pieces of PVC pipe (one slightly smaller than the other), and fastened them together, side by side, with some hose clamps. The pole won't quite slide into it with the rubber bottom cap, so I slide the pole in from underneath. I then simply slide the smaller pipe over one of those green garden fence poles. I got a short one, and it works perfectly. No other supports are necessary.
UPDATE: If you run something like fishing line to the eyelet, you can lower the antenna to change it. This would allow you to change mono-band antennas, go from QRP to full power, etc.
I've never tried it, but I have one of those extender bars that fits into a receiver on my truck. Instead of having it go out, if it were vertical, a piece of chain link fence railing could be put inside and be great for sliding the Jackite pole over.
UPDATE: I bought a tailgating flagpole holder. You can make one with some wood, but this one is neat. It fits underneath the tire, The tube fits down into it, and a cotter pin locks it in place. Normally, this is all you need to do. The actual Jackite pole on my stand is a tad larger. So, I take the two PVC mounting poles and slip one over the tube, just like with the fence pole method.
One thing to watch out for is tightening it too much, or tightening it while under tension. I sort of got the last piece stuck in place like that. I've read where one or two people had them break and criticized them. Use common sense here. My EF dipole has a bit of slack in it...I don't try to make it completely straight, as I know that is a lot of tension.
A suggestion I can also make is if you design a wire antenna, use small gauge wire, and the pole barely knows it is there. As long as you can get sufficient bandwidth for your needs, the lighter wire performs great. I recommend (and use) Silky wire by The Wireman.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)