Take the shot ..
This is the season when some folks treat themselves to gifts, that they have done without for the last year or years. Some folks were saving to buy that dream radio, the one that you looked at everyday. I go a step further and make a poster print of the radio I need and stick it on the wall next to my computer. When the radio finally drops into the radio room, the picture on the wall is replaced by a new picture of some much needed ham gear. This is how some people feel is the best way to deal with this matter. It works for them.
Choosing the radio station equipment is not that difficult. You know what you want and why you want it. People either buy old equipment or new equipment. People either buy cheap, bargain equipment or expensive, preowned equipment. People always get what they pay for, and need to proceed with caution. Following the pandemic I have a new set of rules and guidelines for conducting my ham radio and radio station affairs. It is brand names for certain products. All critical equipment is purchased new. Only known reliable and trustworthy ham stores are used.
Every ham radio operator has a preference to certain brands, for various reasons. I always admired Yaesu equipment, looking great on the flyers and catalogs, but I was never impressed to the point of purchasing that brand. Other ham radio operators only used Yaesu equipment and nothing else. Now in 2022 I have developed a liking for Yaesu equipment, maybe its because they have the best receivers in their transceivers, and all their radios command the top spots on the receiver test table.
[to be continued]
October 22, 2022
After years of suffering without a radio, because of the frequency jamming, noise and RF interference generated by the electricity company in Saint Kitts, it is time to invest in decent ham radio equipment again. I am told that the RF interference is slowly phasing itself out, so we will just watch it and see. The electricity company management has changed but we do not know how soon the interference problem will be properly resolved. I am not hearing whether the local Saint Kitts and Nevis Amateur Radio Society which seem to represent most of the amateur radio operators on Saint Kitts is adequately representing its members. I am of the view that the Society should be continuously seeking for the quickest resolution possible, because the interference is illegal, and should not be permitted to occur in the first place. In other countries this matter would have been taken to court for immediate intervention and resolution.
The system of government and the administration of justice has changed since August 5th 2022. We expect that the four [4] to five [5] year old interference matter will be brought forward for speedy resolution. Like I said in a previous ham radio blog, if nothing happens or seem to be happening, within three [3] month of the change of administration, I will seek to stir up the water, because I have been an amateur radio operator from 1968 and there was never an interference problem in Saint Kitts, never until, the electricity company introduced their smart meters, and I suspect without performing the due diligence. Amateur Radio in Saint Kitts has been denied the guaranteed interference free service under the laws of the Federation, because the electricity company refused to comply with the duly authorized authority of the spectrum management. Anyhow, all that injustice must come to an end now.
Looking forward to the new year, and even before that, hams have to catch the wave of sunspot cycle 25 peaks before it passes into history, and one must wait for another 11 years. Catching the peak is important, because many ham operators do not invest in the best antennas which are required for the best all year, and year round communications. With imperfect antennas and low power, DX contacts can be made at the right times. All bands and frequencies are not open and available all day and all night. It helps to have a good understanding and knowledge of propagation into and out of your country for the various bands and frequencies. The ham bands 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6 meters are most affected. 40, 80 and 160 meters are almost not affect by the sunspot cycle. Of course I am no propagation expert and I am subject to correction.
Yes, it is easier to make DX contacts, but the best and most effective antenna should be installed. The best antennas allow you to penetrate deep into DX territory. Years ago I ran DX on 15 meters with a 5 element HyGain long john beam on a 26 foot boom, over the north pole on Japan every afternoon after 4 pm with my Icom 745 transceiver. I could hear the JA stations and they could hear me, other Caribbean station could not hear the JA stations. I believe that I will repair the 5 element 15 meter beam, and put it to work again for sunspot cycle25. The beam was only up 20 feet, just one length of pipe. 23-feet is workable, but 46-feet would be much better. For your information, here is the link to the the 5-element 15-meter beam.
https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/hy-gain/products/lj-155ca
For DX on 10, 15 and 20 meters, the long john single band antennas are great, speaking from experience, and seeing them perform over the years. The only restriction is the space that you can provide for the antenna. There are always alternatives and options. An alternative is to build your own wire beam in the space available. It may be in one direction, but that is better than nothing at all. There are also options like the antennas from nextgenerationantennas.com presenting a range of vertical antennas. Here is a link to the next generation antenna page.
https://nextgenerationantennas.com/bravo-vertical-antennas
I am also seriously looking at the nextgenerationantennas.com with a plan to add these design to my test bay. These range of antennas have outperform their beam counterparts in tests, trials and contests. This could be the better antennas for our environment and functions. I will seek to experiment with the antenna design over the next few weeks. Remember that an horizontal antenna has a take of angle of about 20 degrees +/- , but a vertical antenna has a take off angle between 3 and 27 degrees, and a two element vertical array will push the take off angle still lower. A great antenna for DX Expedition and contests.
[to be continued]
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