Although I haven’t had much time to play lately, I have been doing more with the new ham radio hobby. First, I had been studying to upgrade my license from “Technician” to “General,” which gives me more extensive privileges on the radio. It won’t have much practical effect for now, but I’m glad I got it done.
I’ve had a couple of opportunities to go to the workshop, and I went to a ham radio group picnic. While at the shop I started on some homemade ham antennas.
The picnic was to include an “antenna party” where we could get help from more experienced hams in building our own antennas. I wanted to get a head start, because I knew I needed to have some of the parts ready in advance.
This is kind of a unique antenna, since it does not include a physical connection between the radio and the antenna. The walkie talkie clips on to a bracket on the antenna, and those rods (elements) are supposed to enhance the signal. I don’t have high hopes for it, and I haven’t had time to test it, but it was in interesting experiment.
The second antenna does have a wire connection to the radio. I haven’t had a chance to test this one either. It isn’t pretty, but it’s more likely to work. Both are intended to be more or less portable.
Love the lid Rich! Glad you found a bunch of kindred spirits!
DI’d they have ham sandwiches at the picnic?
There is always someone with a “rye” sense of humor. For myself, I hardly ever cut the mustard with a good pun.
Oh, I really don’t want to get Chuck and Roger going against each other!
Booooo! 🙁