Moving again

We are moving again. The first weekend out of lockdown. I have not seen my ham radio buddies, brothers or sisters for a while, but I suspect that all is well with them. Some ham radio operators do not experience any difficulty with lockdown as they use the VHF radios to talk to each other, and release any stress built up. I am not active on 2 meters at present, but I can hear the repeater actively keying, and even involved with dx contacts at times. As long as most ham radio operators can communicate, they are happy. It becomes a problem when anyone restricts or stops ham radio operators from talking on their radios.

However, the exception to this is the present situation in V4, where the Government sides with the Electricity Company to break the law, allowing them to use equipment that generates illegal Radio Frequency interference in the HF radio spectrum. Some of these frequencies are legally allocated to the Amateur Radio Service, and because these frequencies are noisy and jammed by the interference generated by said equipment, the amateur radio operators in Saint Kitts made a complaint to the NTRC, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. Unfortunately, the NTRC cannot get this matter fixed, legally or otherwise. The NTRC is also under the control of the Government. The amateur radio frequencies affected are from 12 MHz to 2 MHz .

It is true that this problem only affect a couple of the amateur radio bands. Regrettably, these amateur radio bands that are affected, 40 meters and 80 meters, are the most popular for amateur radio operators world wide. These are the frequencies which guarantee local communications any time. We are now into the hurricane season, annually from June 1 to November 30. Local inter island communication is required, and systems are in place for in season and out of season weather reporting. Be mindful that the aeronautical industry, and to some extent the cruise industry, require frequent weather reporting, among other things. Every country need and use ham radio as a hot standby backup for emergency and disaster operations. There is still an active volcano system in our Caribbean region.

Amateur radio operators in Saint Kitts are seriously compromised by the RF interference, and will not be able to deliver their accustomed best ham radio service to the country when required, if the interference is present. The only good thig is that in a country shut down, of no electricity, the interference goes away. But when electricity returns, so does the interference, noise and frequency jamming. We pray that no adverse weather come to our shores in this storm and  hurricane season. We also pray that all the authorities involved in this matter would do the right thing and comply with the Telecommunications laws of the Federation.

This irregularity or illegality does not stop the ham radio activity in any area of V4. Ham radio is on the rise, not only at home in V4, but globally. Surprisingly more younger people are now getting into the hobby, and ham radio organizations are trying to find out why. Could be they are looking for something educational and worthwhile to do. There is also a great need for information on what antenna to install.  Many hams are suggesting building an antenna from wire. As one author said, why spend 1000 or more for a radio then build an antenna for 99 cents for it. I suspect than many hams do not know that the antenna is the most important part of the ham radio system. How you hear the world and the world hears you, is determined by the antenna used. 

Every day I learn more about antennas. I am now researching HF vertical antennas which are the best antenna performers based on research data compiled over years. Verticals have always worked for me over the last fifty [50] plus years. The half wave vertical antenna is hard to beat. Properly and correctly installed the half wave vertical can almost outperform anything. I have yet to test the half wave vertical configured as a beam, against my five [5] element wide spaced log john Hygain beam at 20 feet on 15 meters. That beam gets me into Japan with 100 watts. Let's see what can happen as the sunspot cycle continues to improve. .

If a ham is given to building their antenna, I am of the view that there are only two sensible ham radio choices. First, the antenna is either [a] a vertical or [b] a horizontal. Second, if a vertical antenna, the antenna is either [a] ground mounted or [b] mounted with elevated radials. or [c] Half wave vertical, no radials necessary.  Third, if a horizontal antenna, the straight dipole from aluminum tubing is the way to go, either [a] ready made commercial, single band antenna or [b] home made, single band antenna. Fourth, use the best coax cable possible, with the lowest attenuation for the operating frequency. Fifth, get a real modern antenna analyzer to test and tune the antenna system.  Sixth, match the antenna cable feedline length to the operating frequency. The antenna analyzer helps here.

There are three[3] vertical antenna options. [a] ground mounting, read all about it in the antenna handbooks. [b] elevated radials, four, six or eight radials gets the job done, and cost less. and [c]the vertical dipole. The vertical dipole is my choice antenna, and it works for me all the time. It is easier to build, test and tune, and get the DX even when the bands are just opening. The vertical dipole can fit in any vertical space. It can be formed into a top and bottom loaded configuration, so long as the top and bottom loaded ends are symmetrical. I have always used straight horizontal symmetrical wires for my top and bottom loaded vertical antennas. A twenty [20] foot high, and forty-five [45] foot long [starting dimensions before test and tune up] top and bottom loaded vertical dipole for 40-meters was one of my best antennas. This antenna opened the band.  

Interested in experimenting with top and bottom loaded vertical dipole then check this website, it can be helpful. https://www.qsl.net/ei7ba/low_band_antennae.htm

Now is the time to get moving again. Make a better antenna you next  move.

[to be continued]