"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:55:47 -0600, "Irv Finkleman"
wrote:

(assorted snips for brevity)


Light reading on the FT-817:
http://www.ka7oei.com/ft817pg.shtml

Already been there and a few other places too, but
thanks just the same. There are always new links popping
up and I try to keep up with them too!

As soon as the neighbors find out that you're a ham radio operator,
several things will happen.
1. You will immediatly be blamed for all manner of electronic
failures. Kitchen appliances, computer crashes, and prematurely dead
batteries will all become your fault.
2. Neighbors will assume that you fix things for free. Training the
neighbors to pay for your time will be a challenge.
3. The phone will ring at 2AM asking if you're on the air and causing
reception problems with OTA TV, cable TV, satellite TV, etc.

After mucho years on the air in mucho locations I can say I've been
there, done that! This is however, my first real experience using a
very limited antenna and QRP.


My theory is that if it doesn't work on paper, it's not going to work
when you build it. There are plenty of "standard" antennas that
usually work the first time (if you follow instructions). However,
you seem to be interested in designing your own. Therefore, I suggest
you download the demo version of EZNEC, or the free 4NEC2, and proceed
to model your prospective antenna system. When the computah says that
you're close, then it's time to build it. An MFJ269 or similar
antenna analyzer is handy for verifying your calculations.

I have an MFJ-259B -- couldn't live without it, and with all the
stuff I gave away this was the one thing that I just couldn't part with.



Hint: One of my ham friends moved into a CC&R (covenants, conditions
and restrictions) infested condo farm. No antennas of any kind. The
condo council had at least one member that was certain that property
values would decline if a ham was allowed to operate from the condo
farm. So, I leaned a 20ft aluminum extension ladder against the house
and ran a wire to the radio. It worke quite well with a tuner. The
ladder was left leaning against the condo for a bit less than a year
before the condo council discovered the ruse. There was a short
debate. The council decided that since it had been in operation for a
year without any complaints or detrimental effects, it could stay.

Good move! I've always maintained that if you give me any old
piece of metal almost anywhere, I'd find a way to load it and get
on the air! And I've done it time and time again. I did 26 years
in the navy and moved around a lot -- quick and simple antennas
were a must! I also helped a lot of chums who moved into
condos or rest homes get on the air using similar methods.

This case now though, is the first time I ever went into a place
that seemed impervious to signals. I've often operated from
indoors with no problem, and here, the first time I flashed up the
receiver, thought it had gone dead -- that's how bad it was. The
first thing I did was checked the protective diodes on the
antenna connector and as soon as I found them OK, opened
the window and strung a short wire outside -- then everything
was 5/9 plus!

As per another sailor many years ago said, 'I have not
yet begun to fight!'

Irv VE6BP