Antenna

Having an outdoor antenna mounted on a mast will make a big difference in how well you can hear as well as how far you can transmit and receive. In years gone by it was a right of passage into ham radio to build your own single band 2-meter antenna using 1/2" copper water pipe and fittings. They do a good job. They are fun to build, and they were probably the least expensive antenna we could find to start our ham radio journey. KD7RTR is still using hers. It is mounted on the brick chimney. Any plumbing vent pipe will suffice as a mount for a J-pole antenna.

We do have some other choices now that we can use. If you have the page on your computer you will see the choices.There are several commercially built antennas. N7OZH always recommended the Arrow aluminum J-pole antenna. You can see that on the blog page with the pictures. One picture shows one on my portable mast. I use one myself and I have another on my portable mast to go wherever needed.
A similar antenna is made here in Utah and buying locally will save you money.

Look for the magnet mount dual band antenna with the gold background. I have a Browning and a Tram brand. They are not much more expensive than the mini mag. The mini mag. does not last when used on a motor vehicle and is not repairable. Our handheld radios come equipped with what N7OZH referred to as a rubber attenuator. Others call them a rubber duckie.There are differing opinions as to however useful, or not, they may be. I have one radio with one and others using the Nagoya or Comet HT antennas. Find the picture of the SMA/SO239 pigtail. Not an antenna itself but a very useful addition to you go bag. I have one of these and its purpose is two-fold. I bought it to use on my SMA equipped handheld to relieve stress if I have to connect to RG-8 coax someplace. These are available with a few or up to 20" inches of thinner, more flexible coax to make handling the radio easier on you and your radio.

There are at least five of us that have an outdoor antenna at this time. I would ask that those who do not have an outside antenna put that on the list of things to do this year. 1 - J pole antenna, 1 - 20 ft length of chain link fence top rail that can be secured to your house, or other structure for support should do. That's what I am using. sufficient co-ax cable to reach from your antenna to your radio should be easy to do. It is expected that care and caution will be used to make your installation safe, and secure.

Grounding your mast, and antenna is both useful and important. There are many sources of information you can read. There are many people whose opinions you can listen to. I suggest you do your homework and determine which you will choose. N7OZH often told of sitting at his desk and hearing a crackling sound. He found that sparks were arcing from the center conductor of a PL-259 connector to the outer shell. It was not a stormy day but the wind was blowing. The friction of wind blowing past his antenna was generating static electricity sufficient to arc between the shield and the conductor. For safety, N7OZH lined a ceramic mug with aluminum foil that he said was grounded in his shack.

I, myself, have done things differently. My UHF-VHF aluminum J-pole antenna is mounted directly to a 20' steel mast. That is supported by a 6' galvanized steel post and is mounted in such a way as to have electrical continuity. Inside my shack, I use a grounding Coax switch. Pictured below. When the pointer on the knob is in the center, Your antenna coax is grounded. There are several grounding products and some lightning arrestors. I have no experience with those at all. Others have told me that if my station took a direct hit, I would definitely have damage. Maybe a Little. Maybe a lot. I have never yet had damage and certainly never a direct hit. Is it because I did something right, or is it because I have had good luck? I think it was some of each.

An upcoming event: The Utah Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a swap meet 29 Sep 18, 475 S Main St. Buying and selling to begin at 9:00 AM. Set up for sellers is 7:30 AM. $5., $10. family, $5. for seller's table.

KD7NKW - Richard

RF Connectors

An emergency situation is by way of definition, an unexpected event.  When called upon to provide communications we need to be prepared with the necessary equipment to set up wherever we need to be to accomplish that task.  Depending on the duration of the emergency there may be several radio operators working in turns.

Last week we looked at some adapters to use for grid power if it exists.  Those adapters could also prove helpful if someone has a generator, or voltage inverter available.  This week we will look at RF connectors that we may need to couple radios, antennas, power meters, extra cable, according to our need.  More than once, N7OZH, O D Williams told us that he had a collection of RF adapters.  Every kind he could get, he had.  That is probably overkill. Having adapters that will fit the output of YOUR radio(s) and allow you to connect with the coax on the antenna you will be using is probably sufficient.

My Baofeng UV5-R radios have an SMA Male connector.  My Yaesu FT-60 radios have the SMA Female connector.  Many others will have a BNC Female connector.  KNOW which one(s) you have and get The adapters that will allow you to connect to the antenna coax which will usually be a PL259 or a BNC male.  My own preference is to go from what my radio has to a PL259.  The PL259 along with a barrel connector will allow you to use any adapter you have that has either a PL259 or an SO239 on it.

Radios typically will have one of four different connectors on the radio itself.  An SO239 is likely to be on the back of a mobile, or base radio. Handhelds may have a BNC connector or an SMA connector.  The BNC is a good, strong connector. Unfortunately, the radio manufacturers have moved to the use of the SMA connector.  SMA connectors on radios may be either male or female, that's why I said there are four different connectors. They are smaller and more likely to break, so I have been told by those who use their radios more than I do.  That's where the need for adapters begins.  Two of my radios are permanently equipped with BNC connectors because I wanted more strength and the antennas I had on hand have BNC connectors.  For that, I chose the black adapter shown on the page.

It looks like it belongs on my radio. Using a fiber washer underneath it relieves any strain on the SMA connector.If you are using a Yaesu FT-60 you will need to file one side of the washer flat so it will not interfere with your tuning knob.

There are two other handy adapters in the visual aids.  One is the lighter plugin adapter with red and black binding posts.  A very handy way to access power from a vehicle that has a lighter.

The other, you will see, has an SO239 on one end of a 20" cable and a BNC male connector at the other.  The Cable used is much more flexible than the R-G 8 often used to connect to outdoor antennas.  This extra flexibility will reduce stress on the radio's connector and will allow you easier movement.  They are available from several sources online.

Depending on the antenna that is available you may find it has a PL259 or a BNC connector on it.  The same will be true any peripheral equipment you may use. SWR meter, etcetera.  Without adapters, you will experience your own emergency situation.

I like to keep some solderless PL259 and BNC connectors in my go bag, just in case.  If a repair needs to be made it may be under less than ideal conditions.  You may not have a soldering iron or, if you have one with you, you may not have the power to run it.  Connectors and adapters will average $5 each. Buy online if you like.  Raelco and Standard Supply will have them on hand locally.

An upcoming event:  The Utah Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a swap meet 29 Sep 18, 475 S Main St.  Buying and selling to begin at 9:00 AM.  Set up for sellers is 7:30 AM. $5., $10. family, $5. for seller's table.

KD7NKW - Richard

Foothill Net Silent Key

K7CRK
Robert A. Larkin, 1940 - 2018

AC Adapter Plugs

In emergency communications, our job is to provide a means of communication when other means are no longer viable. Having the power to operate our radios is as important as having a radio. We may, or may not, have electrical power in the location we will be at. If there is, we need to be prepared to use it. Re-chargeable battery packs will need to be re-charged as will many other devices.

Here is a collection of adapters you can easily assemble yourself and keep in your go bag.

You don't have a go bag? Start now. Select a suitable bag. A bag with a carrying handle and a zipper closure will be good. We will discuss other useful items to put in the bag in upcoming weeks.

KD7NKW - Richard