Antenna Magic
 

On Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:05 -0700 (PDT), Gary
wrote:

I hope he enjoys Ham Radio, in spite of my questionable advice.
Gary N4AST

Think of the experience in a different way. If ham radio propagation
were predictable and consistent, it would not be any fun. Just pickup
the microphone, set the controls, and talk to anyone in the world.
Kinda like a cell phone. It's the vaguarities of propagation, the
magic of sub-optimal antennas, and the mysteries of operation that
make ham radio fun. Considerable expense and effort, on the part of
major players and governments, to obtain reliable HF communications
has not been very successful over the years. Possibly "reliable HF"
is an oxymoron. Welcome the "kid" to the magic part of ham radio and
suggest that he adjust his expectations accordingly.

Incidentally, I usually carry a folded wad of aluminum foil for
improptu RFI/EMI shielding, probably because I don't drink beer.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Antenna Magic
 

On Jul 27, 10:48*am, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:05 -0700 (PDT), Gary
wrote:


Incidentally, I usually carry a folded wad of aluminum foil for
improptu RFI/EMI shielding, probably because I don't drink beer.

Good comments Jeff, I will keep them in mind next time I talk to him.

Too bad you don't drink beer, the "Learn by destroying" gets really
easy after a couple. Or maybe it is just the destroying that gets
easier.

Gary N4AST

Antenna Magic
 

On Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:49:59 -0700 (PDT), Gary
wrote:

Too bad you don't drink beer, the "Learn by destroying" gets really
easy after a couple. Or maybe it is just the destroying that gets
easier.

Well, the slogan is not quite what it seems. I was graduation from
Cal Poly Pomona back in the days when the skool slogan was "Learn By
Doing". The basic education plan was to get as much hands on
experience for the undergrads as possible. We modified the slogan to
"Learn by Destroying" which had more than a little truth to it. I
discovered quickly that the easiest way to understand how something
works is to (accidentally) break it, and then desperately attempt to
fix it before I'm discovered. It's a great way to learn, but does
tend to get rather expensive. A less drastic version is sometimes
called "sensitivity analysis" where one uses or installs a device in
some manner in which it was never intended to function in an attempt
to see how sensitive it is to installation and operation creativity.
This works well with antennas, where there are almost an infinite
number of ways to do it and still have it function.

We have some local hams that have never removed the screws from their
radios and looked inside. I often do this for them, while they
complain about warranty and loss of resale value. Tearing the radio
apart and giving them a tour of the guts (sometimes at radio club
meetings) is also fun (to watch them sweat).

You now have the unenviable task of acting as mentor to this new ham,
who apparently has the potential for more than minimal understanding
and knowledge. You may soon find yourself doing some furious reading
(or Googling) in order to just keep up with him. I've done this a few
times, where my usefulness eventually ends when the new ham tells me I
don't know anything. I just smile, and await the next victim.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Antenna Magic
 

On 7/26/2011 6:44 AM, Gary wrote:
On Jul 25, 8:43 pm, Mike wrote:
On 7/24/2011 6:52 PM, Gary wrote:

Not to be discouraged he removed the shorts and additional wire,

His antenna worked better because he took his shorts off?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

It never occurred to me that he would put his underware on the loading
coils. I thought he would use some wire and jumper them. Mystery
solved.

Gary N4AST

He probably wet them first.

John KD5YI

Antenna Magic
 

On 7/28/2011 2:42 PM, John S wrote:
On 7/26/2011 6:44 AM, Gary wrote:
On Jul 25, 8:43 pm, Mike wrote:
On 7/24/2011 6:52 PM, Gary wrote:

Not to be discouraged he removed the shorts and additional wire,

His antenna worked better because he took his shorts off?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

It never occurred to me that he would put his underware on the loading
coils. I thought he would use some wire and jumper them. Mystery
solved.

Gary N4AST

He probably wet them first.

That's a time honored method of getting a better ground for your radials.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

Antenna Magic
 

On 7/28/2011 12:31 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:49:59 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

Too bad you don't drink beer, the "Learn by destroying" gets really
easy after a couple. Or maybe it is just the destroying that gets
easier.

Well, the slogan is not quite what it seems. I was graduation from
Cal Poly Pomona back in the days when the skool slogan was "Learn By
Doing". The basic education plan was to get as much hands on
experience for the undergrads as possible. We modified the slogan to
"Learn by Destroying" which had more than a little truth to it. I
discovered quickly that the easiest way to understand how something
works is to (accidentally) break it, and then desperately attempt to
fix it before I'm discovered. It's a great way to learn, but does
tend to get rather expensive. A less drastic version is sometimes
called "sensitivity analysis" where one uses or installs a device in
some manner in which it was never intended to function in an attempt
to see how sensitive it is to installation and operation creativity.
This works well with antennas, where there are almost an infinite
number of ways to do it and still have it function.

We have some local hams that have never removed the screws from their
radios and looked inside. I often do this for them, while they
complain about warranty and loss of resale value. Tearing the radio
apart and giving them a tour of the guts (sometimes at radio club
meetings) is also fun (to watch them sweat).

You now have the unenviable task of acting as mentor to this new ham,
who apparently has the potential for more than minimal understanding
and knowledge. You may soon find yourself doing some furious reading
(or Googling) in order to just keep up with him. I've done this a few
times, where my usefulness eventually ends when the new ham tells me I
don't know anything. I just smile, and await the next victim.


Ego suppression is a very useful tool!
Mikek