Ham Radio Help Desk

To function as intended, the J-Pole antenna needs electrical isolation from its mount. Here’s why and in technicolor no less.

My G3TXQ Hexbeam gets a new metal backbone to accommodate a VHF beam antenna. A byproduct is a much stronger antenna assembly.

My 43 foot vertical took a beating last night in the Canadian cold air clipper and lost its lower U-Bolt.

So what do the Dallas Cowboys, Digital Television over the air broadcasts, my wife and the Hex Beam have in common… You’re probably thinking… “Man… John has lost it. He’s blogged one post too far… On Halloween afternoon too…” Hang with me for a moment.

The MFJ Analyzer products make easy work of tuning a coaxial quarter wave stub.

Two NMO through-hole antenna mount parts, the Laird MBO and MABO, were prototyped to help down select the choice of 3/8″ or 3/4″ hole. The opinions of engineers, machinists and others were obtained.

It’s time to replace my mag mount antenna and go “through hole” with my Mobile Antenna. NMO seems to be the way to go. Reviewed are some candidates from brand name to no name.

Static charge builds up on any conductor at almost all times including our antennas as the video shows.

Magnetic Mount Antennas get a bum wrap it seems and for poor reasons and misunderstanding on how antennas work. Here is a way to see they are not so bad afterall… at least electrically.

Test results of the Coaxial Cable Balun and the Folded Balun (aka Pawsey Stub) reveal coax Velocity Factor applies to the former, but not the latter, unlike what many web sites would have you believe. Part 2 of 2.