Improving Your HF Signal

Antennas, Amplifiers and Decibels

Gregory Brown, KTØK, has been a Ham Radio operator since 1961. Never bitten by the amplifier bug, he’s always operated with 100 watts or less and very modest antennas, yet has managed to work over 300 countries. Devoted to good operating practices and manners, he has often “turned the dial” in the face of rude operating by those trying to contact that “rare one.” Who needs the aggravation?

After 53 years with very modest antennas, this past year saw the appearance of a 72-foot tower and new beam in his backyard. The antenna is an Optibeam OB 16-3, a large, trapless Yagi with interlaced monobanders for 10, 15 and 20 meters (8 elements on 10 meters and 4 on both 15 and 20), a total of 16 elements on a 39-foot boom.

So, is the effort and cost of upgrading your antenna system worth it? How does this system “play” compared to the typical short-boom three element trap tribander? Wouldn’t an amplifier give me more contacts? A-B comparisons between a small Yagi at 50 feet and the new Optibeam at 75 feet demonstrate the differences, and those differences may surprise you—as will the truth about amplifiers and power!  

     —Connie Zehr, NØGMA

The KØKKV streaming server is currently offline.

“I See What You Mean”

Karen Anderson, KEØCDQ

     Karen is a Ham Operator who is blind. She is a Net Controller for the Wednesday evening LARC nets. At the June 10 LARC Club meeting Karen will be showing us how she is able to keep in touch with the nets and read our emails and the notices to be given to all of us on her nets.

     Please come to the meeting and learn how our blind friends are able to communicate easily by being Ham Operators.

     –Connie Zehr, NØGMA

This year all volunteers with the State Games of America must register with the State Games office. In addition to making it possible to get to the event you are volunteering for, it will give you a pass to all events (many events will have an entrance fee this year), t-shirt, and lunch.

If you do not see an event you are interested in feel free to sign up as a General Volunteer. We will contact you as we get closer to find where and when you can help out.

1. Visit http://sga2015.com/volunteer
2. Click “Create An Account” or login with last year’s credentials
3. Complete required fields (SAVE your login information)
4. Select “Register Myself”
5. Complete required fields
6. Click “Accept Waiver” at the top of next screen after reviewing waiver details
7. Click “Show Events” on the line that corresponds with Lincoln Amateur Radio Club
8. Click “Register” for the event of your choice.
9. Some events will require your call sign. If you are registering a non-ham, enter 000000.

At the pending registrations screen, click “Additional Registrations” to return to the events list for LARC – OR – click “Complete” to finish registration.

Thank you,
NØJLR & NØADR