Antenna: Inverted V, Vertical Rhombic

By Jeff Young, N8CMQ, from eHam I was looking at alternate antenna designs for low band operations, and I saw the vertical rhombic design. What piqued my interest is it is an end fed inverted V, but with a counterpoise ground wire. The apex angle is larger, so the height is lower. Why a rhombic? Gain. A rhombic has one or two lobes of radiation, depending on construction. So a support good for a 40 Meter inverted V could also be used for an 80 Meter vertical rhombic. The two antennas...

Amateur Radio: Still a Great Hobby

By Lou Giovannetti, KB2DHG, from eHam I have been a ham for many years now. I have seen a lot of changes in everything from equipment to license changes. -- From tubes to computers too much to list. BUT the one thing that has never changed is my total interest in this hobby. I love reading the articles on this eHam.net and was thinking how great this hobby really is and more over how relatively cheap it is to get into. YES you read it right. This is a very affordable hobby. With all the u...

Mail Order Karma (Ninja QSLing)

By Dennis Konklin, from eHam I like QSLing. There, I've said it. In this, as in so much of life, not everyone agrees with me. Some Hams consider it the Darkside of Radio; a drudgery, not a delight; a job, not a joy; labor, not leisure. I find it challenging and satisfying and rewarding. QSLing is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Ham Radio for me. Before you shake your head and turn the page, let me point out that many things in life can be transformed entirely by a small change in perspec...

Amateur Radio and Scouting In My Life

My article is up on eHam.net! Please check it out and comment on eHam, or if you would rather, read it below and comment here! :D By Grant, KB3QFQ, from eHam So, you're new to the ham radio thing. You have no clue what "73" means, what DXing is, and seriously, what the HECK is propagation? Actually, that probably doesn't describe you at all. But that's how I started. Boy Scouting is a huge part of my life. I have attended Scouts for over ten years and have just received my Eagle Scou...

How Social Networking Can Help Ham Radio

If you haven't read my article yet, here is your chance! I'm posting it below for y'all! Enjoy, and please comment!! :) Just by reading the title, you will know this is a debatable subject. Your opinion may differ. That’s fine, and I’d love to read your opinion of this article. I am the editor of our local radio club’s newsletter, so I have decided to write an article about how social networking can actually help, not hinder, amateur radio. Although I’m familiar with most of the major so...

“Social Networking” Article Comments from eHam

My article, "How Social Networking Can Help Ham Radio" (See previous post) has been on eHam for a few days now, and I wanted to post some of the comments that I received. Please comment on these comments! :) Here they are: The blending of technologies just flies over the heads of some folks... The typical ham is stuck in the past as the world moves on by. (Posted by N4CQR) I think your points are all valid... Someone could use Twitter as their own club newsfeed, and while I don't l...

“How social networking can help ham radio” now on eHam!

My article, "How Social Networking Can Help Ham Radio", wrote for October's newsletter, is now posted on eHam.net! Check it out by clicking the following link: http://www.eham.net/articles/22681 Don't forget to comment!!