Ham Radio Help Desk

The new antenna for 2010 at this QTH will be the popular G3TXQ Broadbeam Hex Beam. What follows is a look at the DX Engineering Hex Hub.
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Regular readers of Ham Help Desk know my general lack of confidence in the volunteer emergency communications efforts.

Thankfully amateurs are documenting good examples of helpful communications on YouTube.

This one will make you proud…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqaKzIkyBug

Thank you operators. We really needed to hear this positive example.

I am preparing for the Virginia QSO Party and want to add an alternative 20 meter solution for my 43 foot vertical plus get better 15 and 10 meter coverage; I have been working plenty of 15 meter contacts with the 43 foot vertical so I know that band is open. Plus you never know if the sunspots might give us some 10 meter fun too

So…

I have been eagerly absorbing all there is to know about the hex beam style of HF antennas.

If you are the least bit interested in building or buying your own hex beam a must read web site is the G3TXQ study of the hex beam…
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Prayers go out to the folks in Haiti who are living in the aftermath of that earthquake.

Amateur Radio Operators seem to be geared up to provide some form of assistance.

The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) organization is managing nets…

“Full Alert Level DELTA III for Haiti Earthquake Emergency. All nets active. 14.265 MHz Primary Daytime. 7265 and 3977.7 kHz evening and night.”

We can only hope and pray these good intentions result in useful deeds accomplished.

We should all listen in on the net frequencies above to see for ourselves how amateur radio may help the situation. I will be tuning in.

Meanwhile, I will also be sending some cash to relief organizations who are clearly going to need some resources quick.