Extra Work

KB6NU has a great idea for a job opportunity to help "cable cutters" setup antennas for their televisons:

"From a technical point of view, though, it’s not very difficult, there are fewer and fewer TV repair shops that do this work, and with the trend towards“cutting the cable,” you should be able to find plenty of customers."

Yellow Makes the Best Antennas

Other colors don't perform as well I bet.

Not sure what it is about yellow, but maybe I need to add a tag for it since I keep having yellow news and stories.

Antennas

First, from Roberta X's trip to Dayton, I love the models in this picture. But wait there is more... they are functional for 2 meters! Check that link for other pictures from her trip. Also, hop over to her other blog for a look at some of her "key" findings at the hamvention.

Another antenna seen via @gregmalcolm on Twitter. Unfortunately, I don't have the infrastructure for a hair-tenna.

Just saw this at Dayton #hamvention. That's an actual working antenna! pic.twitter.com/UpOUGBtkrJ
— KD8QGM (@gregmalcolm) May 17, 2014

Nagoya NA-701 and NA-771 Antenna Changes

BuyTwoWayRadios.com points out some changes to the new versions of the NA-701 and NA-771 antennas. This might be a useful link if you are worried about fakes and want to compare old and new. Also, they mention the change addresses the cosmetic gap problem.

Baofeng UV-B5: Flashlight Mod Part II

In case this mod to add a flashlight to your UV-B5 is too much work, try this.

HT Antenna Reference Chart

First, there was the Antenna Connector Types - Pictorial Guide. Now, they have posted a chart that lists the compatible HT antenna connectors by manufacturer/model.

Antenna Connector Types - Pictorial Guide

A helpful pictorial guide to antenna connector types.

Inflatable Antennae

Inflatable Antennae... now, if they would just make one for an UV-5R we'd be in business.

Tower Build

That's a big hole.

Antenna Recommendation

Despite the tremendous price increase over the earlier recommendation, Hans likes what I am calling the $4.98 antenna.

He says:

"These antennas now replace about most others here. In some cases they don’t improve performance (Wouxun and Quansheng stock antennas are fine), but this antenna is sturdier than most. Please note that this antenna is only available with an SMA-F connector."

Quote of the Day

Referring to the UV-5R tri-band capability:

"Now all we need is the $3.71 tri-band antenna."

(The famous $3.71 antenna that turned out to be a really good deal.)

Antenna Company Going Out of Business

Maybe they will have a sale.

Catenary

So, I'm not an engineer by education and I only have limited experience in ham radio, so the good news is I learn a lot when I take a few minutes to read something like the February 2013 QST.

In an article about how to hang wire antennas, I was introduced to the term catenary:

"In physics and geometry, the catenary is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends. The curve has a U-like shape, superficially similar in appearance to a parabola (though mathematically quite different)."

Of course, there is math to optimize the hanging of wires/cable. I just never thought about it beyond is the wire high enough that something won't run in to it and is it tight enough that it won't fall down in a few minutes after I let go.

Best

Best Morse Decoder - maybe I should look into that since I can't even spell – · – ·  · – – .

China's Best (and Worst) Ham Gear from Hans

Go Anywhere Snake Antenna

The Snake Antenna:

"It is not a 'miracle antenna', though some people might say it’s a miracle that it works at all. Some operators swear by it; other operators swear at it! But it does work, albeit via an ATU, and with the availability of propagation."

Deal Alert: Antenna for $3.71

From Hans (PD0AC):

"This seems totally wrong: a replacement antenna (SMA Female) for the Wouxun, Quansheng or UV-5R for a price that won’t buy you a decent burger."

He's not had it in his hand, but thinks it is worth the risk.

Baofeng UV-5R: Antennas

I'm not sure why this amuses me. It's not like you can learn a lot by just looking at the video of all the antennas.



http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=103184 UT-102SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=103602 NA-704SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=102596 UT-108SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=106159 G-JS144SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=106122 G-RH770SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=106837 G-RH775SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=101887 NA-774SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=101888 NA-626SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=101882 NA-666SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=104205 TS-SRH536-SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=104223 TS-RH775-SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=106518 5-109SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=106516 5-107SF
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=104785 5-209SF

N3DNO's Antenna Calculator

N3DNO's Antenna Calculator - A simple web page application that will calculate the length information needed for a vertical, dipole, or three element yagi.

via N4JTQ on the 470 ARG Facebook Page

Portable Inflatable Antenna Towers

What a cool idea!



Via eHam.net

FG-01 Antenna Analyzer

I like to see TEN-TEC getting into different stuff. A little diversity may be important to their long term existence in the ham radio business.

"TEN-TEC is proud to announce that we are the exclusive distributor in the US for YouKits brand products.

The first product we are introducing from YouKits is the FG-01 a 1 to 60 MHZ Antenna Analyzer. This is not a kit but a fully assembled unit ready for use. The FG-01 utilizes the latest in SMT technology to provide a compact unit with lots of value."

And when did TEN-TEC do a makeover on their website? It looks good. I've mentioned that I like sellers that have an RSS feed, so I am glad to see that TEN-TEC has one.