An easy to build, 6m halo antenna. By Adrian Jarrett-K6KY
The Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club was looking for project ideas for the members. Early in 2017 the Radio Society of Great Britain published a 2-meter band halo design, which looked easy and fun to build. This was chosen as one of the club’s projects. However, the Conejo Valley is surrounded by hills, and so long haul 2m may be a bit problematical. That, and after having a great time in summer 2017 on 6m sporadic E, first with JT65 in the June ARRL VHF contest, and then with FT8, a 6m halo seemed like a worthy project. The Continue reading “6 Meter Halo Antenna Project”
Each band has its own personality and characteristics. The sun and ionosphere, as well as other factors, cause the HF bands to be different during the day or at night and also at different times of the year. Getting on the air is the best way to find out what works and what doesn’t. Pick a band, get on it, stay with it for a while. Tune around, move up and down across the band. Try different times of day.
There I was, standing on the peak of the highest point in New England, Mt. Washington, known for some of the worst weather in the world, braving at least a 40 mph wind in forty degree weather and not making any contacts. The peak, the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River, sits at 6,288 feet, and is known for one of the fastest wind speeds ever recorded on the surface of the Earth, 231 miles per hour, recorded in April 12, 1934. The peak is also well known for being on the Appalachian Trail. 
Many hams have found the low-priced radios from China like the Baofeng UV-5R hard to resist. Seriously, who doesn’t have room for one more HT if it costs less than $30?