Tag Archive: 2023

2024 Winter Field Day Fun!

28 January, 2024

The 2024 Winter Field Day was a great success!! We had three HF stations and operated from 1:00pm Saturday until 1:00pm Sunday. Hats off the die-hard hams who braved the cold and stayed all night. Fueled by propane heaters and hot coffee they operated through 33 degree temps until the early morning light began to warm their frozen feet and fingers.

We had lots of food. Travis N5UB smoked brisket and pork shoulder. It was delicious! Later in the evening Rebecca KJ5CSJ brought homemade beef stew that warmed the heart and soul. There were sides and plenty of snacks.

We setup several antennas including one or two of the EFHWs we built in October. We operated mostly on battery power but had a generator as well. Frozen fingers searched the bands (15, 20, 40) for contacts. We made over 100 contacts, but In the wee hours there was more huddling around the heaters that members graciously provided, than actual contacts. The bands were pretty dead late into the night. Perhaps next year we’ll incorporate 80 and 160 meters.

We’ve already started planning for Summer Field Day, June 22, 2024. Both summer and winter field days are great ways to get operating experience and learn about our hobby. Please plan to join in on the fun, operate outside your license class and get some great experience at this year’s summer field day next year’s winter field day!

Field Day

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EFHW Kit Build!

31 October, 2023

Last Month we learned about the End Fed Half Wave antenna (EFHW). This month we built it!!

On Saturday, November 18th we built our EFHW portable antennas for 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m.
Seventeen club members of various skill levels participated and all successfully built their own portable multi-band antenna.

In December we took the antennas into the field and tuned them for optimal performance. The project was great fun and we anticipate another build project or two in 2024. If you have ideas for a fun build project talk to Steve W5HK, Greg KA9SUU, or Paul W5PFH.

Events, Tech Talks

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October 2023 Tech Talk – Building an EFHW Antenna

1 October, 2023

Saturday at the EOC

Join the Hurst Amateur Radio Club on Saturday morning October 21st for a technical talk on HF antennas, with a focus on the End Fed Wire.
Join Michael KJ5AJU for this presentation next Saturday. We are providing this tech talk prior to the construction project managed by Paul, W5PFH, next month.

  • We will discuss the major types of HF antennas, including the Dipole,
    Vertical, the Long Wire, and the End Fed Wire.
  • Our construction project will be for a multi-band End Fed Wire, so we
    will focus on its characteristics.
  • Building a Balun will be a part of the project; we will discuss the
    operation of a Balun and its construction.
  • If desired, an autotuner may be used in conjunction with this End Fed
    Wire; we will review the proper use of a tuner with an End Fed Wire.
  • A key final question: Do we need a separate counterpoise or ground
    for the End Fed Wire? We will look at pros and cons.

October 21, 10 to 11 AM, at the Hurst EOC

Tech Talks

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