Here is an example of an effective antenna built on a budget. It is a horizontally polarized 6 element beam for 222.1 Mhz single sideband. We are going to use it for our limited rover. Credit goes to WA5VJB for his “cheap yagi” (do that exact internet search) plans that made it easy to build. Just click and drool. Get thee to a hardware store and build your own beam on a budget.
Archives for May 2017
Six meter ham radio dipole for the VHF contests
Get on the 6m magic band during the second weekend of every June for the North American VHF contest, and listen for our contest rover KA5D/R. Here is an example of a rigid dipole you can build on short order, with nothing made of unobtainium, that will get you skipping across the E layer on six meters USB. Tune this for 50.125 Mhz. Each leg I eventually trimmed to 132cm, but your mileage may vary. Start long and trim equally, checking your work with an SWR analyzer. Put it on a pole and point it toward grid EM10 in central Texas…and call CQ contest. Don’t forget to turn in your log to ARRL when you’re done. Lather, rinse, and repeat every January, June, and September. Regardless of whether you like contesting, you can use this antenna to enjoy 6 meters all year round. 73!
Motorcycle mobile ham radio installation examples
This video describes the two motorcycle mobile installations I’m running:
– 2013 Zero S electric motorcycle with Yaesu FTM-10R radio and Comet SBB-5 antenna;
– 2003 Honda VFR800 with Yaesu FT-60R radio and Comet HP-32FHN antenna.
Both installations use the Sena SR-10 bluetooth hub and a Schuberth C3 Pro helmet with the SRC communications system in the collar. The result is fantastic audio and a relatively safe, ergonomic use of ham radio on two wheels.
New repeater in Austin: 441.325+ PL 186.2
There is a new repeater serving central Austin. Details:
KA5D/R, 441.325+, pl 186.2. It accept analog FM or C4FM digital as input, and it outputs analog FM. Here’s the coverage prediction:
KA5D repeater coverage map