In an earlier blog post (Smith Chart Basics) you learned your ABCs of Smith Charts. But that is all that was presented. In this video we move beyond the ABCs in to… well, more ABCs. It is really simple stuff, folks. But with these understandings, you will more and more become the go-to person for…
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2020 Presentation: The Nano VNA
In about August of 2020 I gave a presentation to the Cascades Amateur Radio Club on the nano-VNA. I thought that I had uploaded the presentation to the website but today I am not finding it. I have therefore uploaded it this morning.
The J-Pole Antenna Unmasked
At the June Zoom meeting of the Chelsea Amateur Radio Club , Wesley Cardone (N8QM) will give a simplified presentation of the J-Pole antenna. Club meetings occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The premise of this presentation is to explain in simplified and down-to-earth fashion the electromagnetics of antennas while “tuning” the presentation…
What is characteristic impedance, anyhow?
What distinguishes “impedance” from “characteristic” impedance? A one foot length of RG-8X coax has a characteristic impedance of 50 Ohms. But so does two feet of the same cable. Does that cable present a 50 Ohm resistance to DC current flow? Can you describe the current flow that exists on such a coax cable if…
Preparedness
Being PreparedBy Tim Bair, WD8PMDEmergency Coordinator, Jackson County MichiganJan, 2022 Prepare they say ….. This begs the question, have you? As amateur radio operators, some of us tend to think along the lines of preparedness and public service in whatever form that may take. Here in Michigan, we are very lucky in that most natural…
NVIS Antenna for ARES/RACES
NVIS Antenna / ECOMM CommunicationsECOMM Notes: Tim, WD8PMD, Oct-2021 Why choose an NVIS antenna system? In the world of ECOMM we need a method that offers a quick solution to our regional communication needs. I’m speaking of communications that cover the range of a few miles to a few hundred miles. While UHF / VHF…
How Do You Calibrate Your HF Rig’s S-meter?
Few people realize this but S-meters on most transceivers are not calibrated to reflect accurate readings. But did you know that most rig’s S-meters are easily adjusted for an accurate calibration. But even if you for whatever reason don’t wish to monkey around with your rig, you can at least find out what your S-meter…
What is Input Impedance, Anyhow
As amateur radio operators, we typically look at any input impedance specification and think 50 Ohms. But what is 50 Ohms? Buried within the whole topic of input impedance is a “characteristic impedance.” At this point, we typically lose amateurs, thinking we are moving into rocket science. But this stuff is really simple as you…
Special Event Station W8J at the Jackson County Fair
At the Jackson County Fair of 2021 at about 5 PM, the Cascades Amateur Radio Society had a booth and was displaying amateur excellence to the public at large. In the first photo you can see both Dave (W3IGT) and Bill (KD8AAD) in the near field actively working the special event station that the club…