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@mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2025-07-07 02:34:06

Working on a #HamRadio linked dipole for QRP. I designed and printed the winder because I couldn't find anything I was quite satisfied with. It has holes to hold FT82, FT140, or FT240 toroids (depending on power requirements) with zip ties. I haven't yet tuned up the 10m dipole sections wound on so far; I'll do that when it's not a tropical storm outside and I can raise it up on a mast …

Green vaguely turtle-shaped winder with RG316 coax attached, a toroid common-mode choke made with that coax, and two antenna wires found on it. An SMA connector is at the opposite end of the coax, with an SMA-BNC adapter installed.
@mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2025-07-06 15:59:35

I bought #HamRadio. However, the insert style that came with them is only for RG58 and RG59. So I pulled out

Model of insert for coax stripping tool, standing on end, with wide triangular cutouts to cradle wire being stripped.
@w6kme@mastodon.radio
2025-06-30 16:46:53

5 am on the day #2025FieldDay started. A lot of us camp on the site. What a wonderful way to start the weekend!
#hamradio #CVARC

Fog over a meadow at sunrise
@mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2025-07-31 22:37:12

#HamRadio achievement unlocked!
I have previously successfully activated #POTA parks by "hunting" CW (answering people in other parks calling out to connect to anyone who can hear them), and by calling CQ on SSB (using voice to call out for any station to come back to me) as well…

A map of QSOs (ham conversations) using only 5 watts of power, all done with morse code
Photo of a linked dipole consisting of 33' of RG-316 coax, 26 gauge wire with 2mm bullet connectors as links for 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, and 40 meters, and 5m of 2mm shock cord at the ends of the wires to hold them out. A carabiner is at the top, and the coax is wrapped around a toroid as a common-mode choke where the two legs split. The winder is 3d printed in green ABS plastic.
@w6kme@mastodon.radio
2025-07-01 20:32:52

Our Radio Village at dusk, photo by K6GPS. Next post will be the antenna farm.
#2025FieldDay #CVARC #ConejoValleyAmateurRadioClub

Internally lit Quonset-style tents at dusk
@mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2025-06-21 22:54:27

I tried hunting POTA with five different #HamRadio antenna arrangements while taking a short holiday at the beach over the past few days. I tried the built-in antenna on my KX3, a 20m vertical with radials on a deck, the same vertical with radials stuck with a stake into the top of a sand dune, and two inverted-V 40m end-fed half wave arrangements on a spiderbeam, a north/south and an e…

A map showing great circle routes for all my 60 CW QSOs over the past few days, including one of 4153 miles to a park in the Netherlands.
A map showing all my North American CW QSOs over the past few days. Green dots for 20m, teal for 30m, blue for 40m, green for 17m.
Statistics for the past few days. 60 QSOs, covering over half the states of the US, four bands, and three DXCC entities.
@w6kme@mastodon.radio
2025-06-14 22:38:29

Two SOTA peaks in one day, with about 25 miles of sublime dirt roads on a beautiful day...does it get any better? Okay, the bands were abysmal. Don't care.
#SOTA #hamradio

@mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2025-06-17 23:15:42

Which #hamRadio lighthouse activation program do US hams usually do?
I will soon be near Oak Island Lighthouse in North Carolina, which is WLOTA 1247 and ARLHS USA-558. The websites for WLOTA and ARLHS both appear to be in something of a state of disrepair, so it's not clear to me how active either program really is. I also can't tell if they tend to operate outside of contest wee…

@mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2025-06-25 11:06:42

Super proud of my wife, who passed her #AmateurRadio Extra class exam last night — and minutes later, volunteered to teach a Technician class this fall, and asked about becoming a VE.
She loves to teach, and she's good at it. Her students are lucky to have her as an instructor, and I know that will be true for