Doc, I've grown to really like end fed dipoles. They are a bit expensive, but they seem to always work well. Don, W9EBK

NDB is a non-directional beacon, used for aircraft navigation. They were largely replaced by VORs in the 1960s and later mostly superceded by GPS. Nevertheless some NDBs are still operational. Our 197

John, I like your idea of a hybrid, but here's my twist. I remember an article in a ham magazine many decades ago about removing the tube finals and running just the driver to the output to make a QPR

If you would like to get involved in designing and building some 80 meter CW transmitters, I have an interesting project. I’ve been involved in Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) for many years. A

I know this isn't the group's focus but, I received an inquiry from someone wanting to take the Technician exam in the St. Louis area in the very near future. I haven't found any listing for V. E. ses

Dave, There are too many variables here for me to make a suggestion with much confidence. I don't know what model VNA you are using but if it's a $50 mini-VNA it might be that the numbers you are gett

Paul If are comfortable taking the rotor apart to service it, you can buy a retrofit kit to change old Ham series rotors to the new single connector style. Hy-gain/CDE is now owned by MFJ. I didn't fi

Greetings 4-State QRPers, I am thrilled to be arriving at my Virtual Ozarkcon 2020 this morning. N9HHE and I are getting pretty good at this Virtual Travel thing. Last month we were scheduled to go to

Based on what I'm seeing here about battery life it's time for me to get some new batteries. I have only done 2 portable operations in the past few years with my Hilltopper 20 and Black and Decker bat

Richard, Any lead acid or gel cell battery will be affordable but heavy. I use a group 24 lead acid deep cycle battery that is more than enough for what you want to do but weighs almost 30 pounds. Sta

Dan, www.66pacific.com is the go-to source for working out how to make HF magnetic loop antennas. Don,W9EBK

Radio Shack DSP-40, catalog number 21-543 is the one I have. They also made older models of amplified speakers without the DSP. One model or another was in the Radio Shack line up for several decades.

Don, If you can find one, Radio Shack used to sell an amplified speaker with DSP. This is one of the handiest things to boost the audio. I've used mine with my Hilltopper 20, and several other radios.

Chuck, I have long thought ARRL Field Day rules need a makeover. The last time I spoke with anyone at the League about it, they weren't interested in new ideas. When digital was RTTY and PSK-31 it see

Jerry, Since you asked, I'll tell you my story. I built a Hilltopper 20, along with a 20 meter end fed half wave antenna, travel paddle, etc to take with me on a trip to Hawaii. For the 9 days I was o

A voice transmitter is required. Usually SSB, although FM will work if allowed. I can't think of any digital mode you can use on a cw only transmitter, other than CW. The good news is your CW receive

Gary, I have several unbuilt 80's, no 80A's. If you are interested please contact me at w9ebk@... Don, W9EBK

Tia, QSL. It's working.

I had a home brewed G5RV some years ago. I used a LDG 4:1 balun to match the 450 Ohm ladder-line. It seemed to work as well as any other G5RV I have experienced. Don, W9EBK

Sorry I didn't missed the DMR net, but haven't yet added that mode to the shack. If the 2 meter CW idea gets traction I will suggest it also have AM, and preferably a built in memory keyer (arduino or