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slim jim ladder line for 2 meter

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Hurray antenna build! This isn't my first, but it was the smallest. The other antennas I've built have been for CB, 11 meters. This one was for frequencies on the 2 meter band. I found some directions here . They served me very well and I had the foresight to take photos as I made the thing. I've been planning to make a larger 2m J-pole antenna out of 1/2" copper pipe for awhile now. This is not that. I was wanting a better antenna for chatting on the 2m net in my area. Last week I had to drop out because my little handheld just wasn't getting out like it needed to. The J-Pole I want to build will be larger, about 8' tall. When that goes up I want it to be in a more permanent way. So something for the intermediate, ahh yes I have a bunch of 450ohm ladder line in the garage! Some quick googling and reading in my new antenna building book and boom a design is ready to try. See the earlier link. Behold! Ladder line Step one I stripped the...
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Radio!

Full in, all out, all about, and so on. No idea why I wrote that sentence that way, it was fun though. I all in to this radio hobby though. It started with a small handheld CB and now I've got another CB a 10m radio and a small dual band handheld for analog and digital VHF/UHF. I'm on the air call sign and all. No super long distance contacts made yet, but the possibility is there. This digital radio thing is taking me a minute to wrap my head around. There are several competing modes for digital at the moment. Each coming from different manufacturers. My handheld is currently capable of working the DMR networks. I'll update more as I learn it. The basic idea of digital radio is that you can have multiple conversations on the same frequency without hearing each other. You can even have private conversations with singular users. So here is another thing that I'll be posting updates about. Also a means to make the international lounge truly international.
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Joliet 2m Wed night net

I've participated twice now in a net that is held on a local repeater. First one I had better signal, not sure what was the issue this time around. I know an antenna outside the house would help out. Also being able to output more than 5 watts would be grand. That'll be the next radio though. I've considered a VHF amp for this one, but I'd rather just wait a bit longer for a shiny new radio. All that stated here are some of my notes from the net though. Start time 7:00 on the WCARL's 146.820 repeater . Net Control: KE9ZM Gary Other check ins: KA9SPL Steve N9HLG Rick KD9MDO Mike (me) KD9HUK Jeff Topics bounced around a bit, main thing I learned about and am looking forward too is a hamfest coming up on the 20th. I'm looking forward to checking out all the gear and etc. I should start studying up too if I want to pass the general test by the end of Jan. Of course that'll mean I need another radio. Darn.
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