Homebrew vs. Store-Bought: The Ultimate Antenna Debate for Ham Radio Enthusiasts
03/11/24 • 77 min
Ever wondered if crafting your own antenna could put you on a pedestal in the ham radio community, or is shelling out for a store-bought model the way to go? Strap in as we, your hosts Eric N1JUR, Paul KF4TPY, and Todd W1STJ, debate the merits of build vs. buy and bring you a treasure trove of tales from antenna adventures to Park Activations. We're not just talking theory here; we dive into real-life stories of go-box transformations, the quest for the elusive Hawaiian contact, and the unmatched thrill of snagging that rare call sign.
Discover the secrets behind setting up the best antennas for on-the-go comms, from the Buddy Pole Pro's fine-tuning finesse to End Fed wonders like the Reliance antenna sweeping the ham radio scene. We're not shy about our missteps and triumphs, whether it's Paul's budget fan dipole or my high school antenna that opened up the airwaves. We even toss the idea of an antenna assembly competition for kicks and camaraderie; who says radio can't be a spectator sport?
We wrap things up by emphasizing the joy found in experimenting and growing within the hobby, whether you're piecing together your first homebrew antenna or unboxing the latest commercial marvel. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution for antennas, and there's a wealth of knowledge to be gained from every POTA activation, every rare contact, and every story shared. So, join us as we celebrate the spirit of ham radio – where learning, laughing, and the occasional 'lost mouse' hunt are all part of the journey to becoming a savvier operator.
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Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
YouTube Channel:
Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham
Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch
Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ
Swag/Shows/Updates:
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Todd (W1STJ) - https://w1st...
Ever wondered if crafting your own antenna could put you on a pedestal in the ham radio community, or is shelling out for a store-bought model the way to go? Strap in as we, your hosts Eric N1JUR, Paul KF4TPY, and Todd W1STJ, debate the merits of build vs. buy and bring you a treasure trove of tales from antenna adventures to Park Activations. We're not just talking theory here; we dive into real-life stories of go-box transformations, the quest for the elusive Hawaiian contact, and the unmatched thrill of snagging that rare call sign.
Discover the secrets behind setting up the best antennas for on-the-go comms, from the Buddy Pole Pro's fine-tuning finesse to End Fed wonders like the Reliance antenna sweeping the ham radio scene. We're not shy about our missteps and triumphs, whether it's Paul's budget fan dipole or my high school antenna that opened up the airwaves. We even toss the idea of an antenna assembly competition for kicks and camaraderie; who says radio can't be a spectator sport?
We wrap things up by emphasizing the joy found in experimenting and growing within the hobby, whether you're piecing together your first homebrew antenna or unboxing the latest commercial marvel. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution for antennas, and there's a wealth of knowledge to be gained from every POTA activation, every rare contact, and every story shared. So, join us as we celebrate the spirit of ham radio – where learning, laughing, and the occasional 'lost mouse' hunt are all part of the journey to becoming a savvier operator.
Leave us a Review via Text Message!
//**************************************************************//
Help Paul N1OG get to get his Class A Skydiving License
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-pauls-skydiving-therapy-adventure
Support the show:
Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/
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Leave us a Show Review via SMS Text - https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2178012/open_sms
Leave the hosts a voicemail:
Call and leave us a voicemail with comments or questions, or tell us how to do our jobs! 978.233.1142
Affiliate:
Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10
Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
YouTube Channel:
Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham
Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch
Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ
Swag/Shows/Updates:
https://livefreeandham.com
Join our discord:
https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs
If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:
Todd (W1STJ) - https://w1st...
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Youtube Show Episode:
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Help Paul N1OG get to get his Class A Skydiving License
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Support the show:
Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast
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Affiliate:
Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10
Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
YouTube Channel:
Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham
Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch
Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ
Swag/Shows/Updates:
https://livefreeandham.com
Join our discord:
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If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:
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Next Episode
Antennas to Adapters Unlocking the Secrets of OHIS with Mark Halibut
Prepare to have your antennas tuned to the perfect frequency, as we bring you an electrifying conversation about the future of ham radio connectivity with our special guest, Mark from Halibut. Amidst tales of QSO parties and park activations, we cut through the static of the ordinary with an exploration of the Open Headset Interconnect Standard. It's not just about soldering circuits; it's about soldering connections within our vibrant community.
The airwaves are alive with innovation, and we're transmitting every detail. Get the inside scoop on the Eggnogs circuit board kit that's taking DIY antenna projects to new heights. The episode is buzzing with technical talk, from troubleshooting a clear node setup for truck-based operations to the intricacies of adapting microphones for various radio models. Join us and you might just find yourself reaching for a soldering iron or sketching out your next big ham radio project.
When the transceiver powers down, stick around for the final signal. We're sharing the blueprint for our open-source OHIS adapter, available on GitHub for the tinkerers and builders eager to craft their own piece of the radio revolution. As a token of our appreciation, remember to connect with us beyond the airwaves by visiting our website and supporting our endeavors on Patreon. It's a 73 from our shack to yours—until the next transmission, keep those dials turning!
Show links
OHIS: https://ohis.org
Halibut Electronics: https://electronics.halibut.com/product-category/ham/hhi
Mark Halibut Tee Shirts (old Site) https://stuff.halibut.com/Github Opensource: https://github.com/open-headset-interconnect-standard/ohis
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HalibutElectronics
Fediverse/Mastodon: @[email protected]
Leave us a Review via Text Message!
//**************************************************************//
Help Paul N1OG get to get his Class A Skydiving License
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-pauls-skydiving-therapy-adventure
Support the show:
Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham/
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Leave us a Show Review via SMS Text - https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2178012/open_sms
Leave the hosts a voicemail:
Call and leave us a voicemail with comments or questions, or tell us how to do our jobs! 978.233.1142
Affiliate:
Live Free and Ham - 10% off all LFH Swag CODE: LFH10
Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
Halibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM
YouTube Channel:
Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandham
Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch
Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ
Swag/Shows/Updates:
https://livefreeandham.com
Join our discord:
https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPs
If you would also like to learn more about the hosts:
Todd (W1STJ) - https://w1st...
Live Free and Ham Podcast - Homebrew vs. Store-Bought: The Ultimate Antenna Debate for Ham Radio Enthusiasts
Transcript
Are you a real ham if you buy commercial antennas or build your own ? I don't know . We'll find that out maybe next on LiftFree and Ham .
Eric - N1JURHello and welcome to LiftFree and Ham Podcast . It's our bi-weekly show where we explore ham radio topics in New Hampshire , new England and beyond . Whether you're a regular listener or first-t
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