News & Blog

I believe most hams have the same question as I did. Does it pay to spend a lot of money on a high quality microphone? This question bugged me for quite some time so I decided to do something about it. I came up with the idea of doing a blind mic test with several different mics on the air. I used the following mics in the test (with their approximate retail value):  1 – Electro Voice RE-320 Broadcast…

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As many people that commute daily to work, I take all the complex systems that support me for granted. I start my day in the suburbs of New Jersey driving my car to the train station, get there 5 mins earlier and check my phone to see how the line is operating. The train is almost always on time, I get a seat and enjoy my 5G connection to read the news to know what is going on, I…

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We have a new project!!!! Tuning a J-pole antenna is a crucial step in optimizing its performance for a specific frequency or frequency range. The tuning process involves adjusting the lengths of the antenna elements to resonate at the desired frequency, which ensures maximum efficiency and a low standing wave ratio (SWR). Here’s a guide on how to tune a J-pole antenna: 1. Prepare Necessary Tools: SWR Meter or Antenna Analyzer: This tool is essential for measuring the standing…

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This is that radio that people either love or hate. I’m in the middle. Right out of the box it feels solid but that was the last moment I felt only one way about this radio. The manual states that the initial few charges should take about 8 hours. I found that it took much less time to get the steady green light. And that unsettled me, because a factory reset will make the radio look like new, but…

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To conduct a POTA (Parks on the Air) activation, which involves operating amateur radio equipment from a designated park or natural area, follow these general steps: Research Parks: Identify parks or natural areas that are eligible for POTA activations. You can visit the POTA website (https://parksontheair.com/) or use the POTA mobile app to find eligible parks near your location. Make sure to check the rules and regulations specific to the park you plan to activate. Obtain Permits (if necessary):…

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The fox: Bionics MicroFox 15 (@146.565 MHz) https://www.byonics.com/mf The “hunting weapons”: MWRF Source SMA Male to SMA Female 6GHz Attenuator 2W (30 dB) The greatest transceiver of all times: Baofeng UV5R   SDR: Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 SDR – NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) USB C Male to USB female adaptor Compass: BIJIA Orienteering Map Compass Yagi: Metal broom handle from the Dollar Tree Measure tape from the Dollar Tree RG8X Coax + BNC connector 3D printed support for the measuring tape  Loop…

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The West Essex Amateur Radio Club returning to normal operations held our annual outing at the Grover Cleveland House in Caldwell. During this event the club operates station W2EF at the birth place of President Grover Cleveland. This event provides an opportunity for the community to visit a historic location and learn about Ham Radio as the club members work to make contacts all over the world during the event. During the event scouts from Troop 12 of Livingston…

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Meshtastic is an open-source, low-cost, long-range, and secure mesh networking platform that has been gaining popularity among technology enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. This platform enables people to create decentralized, private, and resilient wireless networks that can operate without the need for centralized infrastructure or internet connectivity. In this article, we will explore what Meshtastic is, how it works, and why it matters. NO license needed! What is Meshtastic? Meshtastic is a software and hardware platform that allows users to…

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Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) is a mesh networking solution that utilizes amateur radio frequencies for communication. This technology provides a versatile and reliable solution for emergency communications during natural disasters or other emergency situations. Ham radio operators have long been involved in emergency communication efforts, providing a means of communication when traditional communication methods fail. AREDN takes this concept to the next level by creating a mesh network that allows multiple nodes to communicate with each other,…

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I am shocked and sad to have to report that Don, our club president, has joined the silent keys on the other side of the DX. Don passed on 26th December 2022 from complications recovering from COVID. None of us anticipated losing Don so suddenly and I am sure many of us would have wanted to share the New Year with him, all of us will miss his wisdom, experience and humor that helped keep our club together. Don…

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