Frugal Ham Radio Tips and Tricks

Tony A.T. Mendina, NT5TM

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So, I like things simple and cheap...

When I can, I like to avoid spending too much money on ham radio.

I think that’s what we all like...mostly.

I’m going to focus on:

● Take advantage of free stuff, and share yours.● Don’t be afraid to build it: you’re just as smart as they are!● Use non-ham gear when you can.● When you splurge, splurge well.

Go ahead and interrupt me. Share your tips, too!

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Take Advantage of Free Stuff

We’ve got lots of free stuff available to us on the web! What are your favorites? Mine start with http://k7mem.com/index.html

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Take Advantage of Free Stuff

4nec2 is free! It’s harder to use than EZNEC, but very flexible.

https://www.qsl.net/4nec2/

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Take Advantage of Free Stuff

And don’t forget https://hamstudy.org/

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Take Advantage of Free Stuff

You can sell your gear here with no commissions.

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Take Advantage of Free Stuff

Your fellow hams might have anything...

● Coax● Tubing● Wire● Salvage connectors● Capacitors● Old batteries● Tools!● Analyzers!● Sharp minds and willing hands

...and we love to help.

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Don’t be Afraid to Build it...

You can even construct a feedline!● AMU and 1:1 choke● Almost any two wires separated by their own insulation will be

100 ohms, including Ethernet and lamp cord● PVC or dowel spacers for high-impedance, super low loss

Remember RCA plugs and audio cables● They’re mostly very close to 50 ohm● Great for receiving antennas

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Don’t be Afraid to Build it...

Don’t look for the right cable, look for 2+ cheap cables with the right ends! Here’s the custom Yaesu VX-series to RCA mono to 1/8 mono adapter for our Broadcastify feed.

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Don’t be Afraid to Build it...

There’s detailed documentation on-line for many common and not-so-common antennas, from the ideal lengths for a random wire to the best way to build a Buddipole kit.

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Don’t be Afraid to Build it...

I used to think that potatoes went through a sort of magical machine that made them more suitable to become french fries. Then one day, I was hungry and had a bag of potatoes and a knife.

“They” are not smarter than you are!

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Don’t be Afraid to Build it...

Especially for <= 100 Watts, just do it! There’s always more wire...

there’s also metal duct tape...

and more PVC…

...come to the Lecture and Lab!

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...You’re Just as Smart as They Are

Even the magic stuff inside the “Alphamatch” is well-documented.

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Use Non-Ham Gear Instead of Ham

Go ahead and put your go kit in a milk crate, camera bag, etc. It’s more fun and more useful than nothing!

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Use Non-Ham Gear Instead of Ham

Modern computer power supplies are a great choice for ham radio. Even 12v, or 12.5 v, will get a good output level from most rigs. You can use a special supply...

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Use Non-Ham Gear Instead of Ham

Or an ordinary one, if you have an extra.

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Use Non-Ham Gear Instead of Ham

You probably don’t need a Signalink or RIGblaster. Inexpensive USB sound cards work well enough. Use a PS/2 cable, and VOX on your rig.

Remember the tip/sleeve vs. ring/sleeve laptop issue

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Use Non-Ham Gear Instead of Ham

If you’re tired of breaking Heil headsets, the Yamaha CM500 Gaming headset works well. You’ll probably need to solder an adapter (T/S vs. T/R) for your laptop.

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Use Non-Ham Gear Instead of Ham

Why not 75-ohm cables? Low-loss RG-6 works well but the adapters are QRP only. RG-11 fits a PL-259 very well; it’s very low loss and tough.

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When You Splurge, Splurge Well

Not all reviews are created equal. Look for writers whose reviews sound like you. “Great for backpacking?” Not my thing. “Just as good as my antique 1895 tranist?” Yeah, that’s me.

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When You Splurge, Splurge Well

Invest in tools, even more than radios. A good tool will serve you for decades!

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When You Splurge, Splurge Well

OK, it’s not necessarily a bargain, but it’s fun to build tools at Lecture and Lab.

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When You Splurge, Splurge Well

And sometimes, you do get a bargain.

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When You Splurge, Splurge Well

Know your prices before you buy on E-bay. There are plenty of sellers who ask full retail price for a non-warranty item.

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ThankYou!

You remembered to bring your own suggestions, right?