Subj : Learn, Amateurs Learn!
To   : Sean Dennis
From : Randall Schad
Date : Fri Nov 07 2025 10:40:29

 SD> I've dealt with those also.  The Extras I know here are pretty seasoned
 SD> except for a few new ones we have in my club that did the "three steps
 SD> in one day:" route who are still getting experience.

I'm relatively new -- just got my ticket 3 years ago while I was off work
for an extended stretch due to surgery -- and this seems to be the norm. It's
a "win" to pass all three exams in one sitting, or something.

I did Tech and General to get started, then got my feet wet for a few months
before upgrading to Extra. Even now, I'm still learning A LOT. Massive credit to the welcoming guys in the local club who keep us actively learning and honing skills.

 SD> Glad to meet another antenne fan (or would that be "fan antenna"?).

Okay, this one made me giggle. :)

 SD> Right now, my living situation does not allow wire antennas but I have a
 SD> 40-foot long aluminum access ramp for my mobility scooter I use to mount
 SD> antennas.

I'm fortunate to have a couple acres where I can stretch out a 75m EFHW (or
put up a 40m dipole if I really wanted.

I used to have a loaded dipole hung inverted V off my TV antenna mast. That
was my first "real" antenna, and I'm still surprised at how well that performed. Very little directionality.

 SD> I am saving up to buy a Comet CHA-250HD "vertically-oriented dipole" HF
 SD> antenna.  It uses a big coil to eliminate the need for radials.  It's
 SD> $479--not cheap when you're on Social Security--but well worth it to get
 SD> on HF easily.

I picked up a new 3D printer recently (only $200 or so), and that's really
opened up a whole new world. Printing little bits and connectors and mounts and housings and what not.

I found a template for a loading coil that I intend to print this weekend. Wrap the coil around that template, wind up another 49:1 transformer, and hopefully have a vertical very similar to that Comet to keep in the truck for mobile HF.

73!
Randall
WZ8Q

.... "Road work ahead" ... I sure hope it does!

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