AmateurRadio.com

What is the most important aspect of life?  Having fun! (Of course!).

Perhaps it is unusual to wax philosophical in an amateur radio forum, but I am going out on a limb to share a perspective that hopefully is refreshingly new and full of life:  Systems thinking — an amateur radio approach.

What I’m sharing herein, I find very intense, invigorating, challenging, and motivational! The more I think about amateur radio with this perspective–the Systems Thinking perspective–the more fun I’m able to define, and then accomplish.

In my opinion, this approach to life is REVOLUTIONARY! Why isn’t this knowledge distributed far and wide?  Why aren’t these precepts taught in the schools for young children, so that they can be equipped for a life full of accomplished purpose?  Perhaps it is due to the deceptive simplicity of approaching life with the perspective of Systems Thinking.

SYSTEMS THINKING AND AMATEUR RADIO

Amateur Radio as a Service – a System, not a Collection

What is Systems Thinking?

In a very simplistic sense, a system is any group of parts that make up one complex whole.  Each part cannot function as the whole, and each part interacts with other parts, such that this behavior affects that end result which is expressed by the whole.

Think about a motorcycle.  Let’s play with that thought: I disassemble my motorbike in your living room.  Once the bike completely taken apart and the parts are scattered all over your living room floor, can any one of those parts support my riding it out to the countryside, and back again?  No.  Only the bike can act, when it is made whole again, as a motorbike.  But, even if the individual parts, doing their part well, try to be the bike all by themselves, but fail, in the end realize that the parts are very important.  Each part has a place and a job.  Each part belongs.

By now, as you think about this, you probably realize that there is a difference between collections, and systems, of course.  A bag of rocks is not a system.  A motorcycle is a system.  A bag of motorbike parts is not a motorbike.  The assembly of the motorbike parts does make a motorcycle.

What does this have to do with amateur radio?

The amateur radio service (hobby) is a system, not a collection.  There are many parts–and one of the most important component of the amateur radio system is you and me.  We interact with each other, exchanging knowledge, reports, friendships; we each function, lending our functioning the the autonomous self, the amateur radio service.

It takes more than one of us to make up the amateur radio service.  It would take at least two amateur radio operators, at the most extreme emaciated existence as a public service. It is obvious that one ham, all by herself, does not make the amateur radio service.  No one of us is the amateur radio service, by ourselves.  We need each other in order to have a ham radio community–the amateur radio service.  Ourselves, our radios, antennas, computers, knowledge, schedules, and so on, are all parts of the big system with which we participate in our community.

Let that sink in.

Ponder the long-term repercussions of this revelation:  We need each other, and we need our resources (time, skills, knowledge, radios, etc.).

How do we shape our System?  What will elevate our System so that it is effective?  And, so we begin to do this, SYSTEMS THINKING.

Please read, and ponder these thoughts, as you read through this article:

https://thesystemsthinker.com/a-lifetime-of-systems-thinking/

Additionally, you should check out this video–it is  great!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbLh7rZ3rhU[/embedyt]

Bonus (not necessary but still VERY good deeper dive):

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGN5DBpW93g[/embedyt]

In my estimation, Dr. Russell Ackoff is amazingly wise, and inspiring!

SYSTEMS THINKING

At the moment, I am studying and trying to implement system thinking.  It is the topic I am mostly studying right now.

The following is an introduction to Systems Thinking:

https://thesystemsthinker.com/

Download this useful paper that helps you understand system thinking:

http://nw7us.us/systems-thinking/Introduction-to-Systems-Thinking-IMS013Epk.pdf

I would very much like to hear your thoughts on all of this.  Seriously.  Take your time.  But, let’s start wading through this pool of refreshing water…

Happy New Year!

Tomas Hood
NW7US

Addendum:  I do not necessary agree with every perspective, conclusion, or point made by Dr. Russell Ackoff.  Never-the-less, the overarching idea of systems thinking seems valid, and is worth considering.

I was wandering up and down the 20 meter CW portion of the band, yesterday. At one point I heard a very faint signal down in the sticks calling CQ, I listened and listened and still not sure if I got his call correct, no one was answering the call so I answered back…

( Py2AA de N7KO N7KO N7KO K )

The op answered back ( N7KO de PY2AAM TNX FER CALL UR RST 339 33N name is ROD QTH is Santa Cruz Do Rio Pardo, BRAZIL HW CPY N7KO de PY2AAM )

I got his full call this time. We were able to make the exchange, RST, rig es Ant, QTH. It was difficult but we pulled it off. Here is the email he sent me, after I sent him one thanking him for taking the difficult journey with me.

*****************************
(Olá amigo Ken!
Fiquei muito feliz em receber seu e-mail.
E também feliz pelo nosso encontro em CW, sou um eterno aprendiz desta arte maravilhosa que é a telegrafia.
Realmente estava com um pouco de dificuldade de escutar sua estação, devido a QSB e QRN…valeu muito o nosso esforço porque agora tenho um novo amigo. )
******************************

The reason why I shared this email is I can only read English and I had to copy and load it into a translator to understand what he said. But when we communicated using Morse Code there was no language barrier. You all know this as I did but this drove it home.

Now if I had waited until I was sure I got the Op’s call 100% before answering, I may have missed connecting to a new friend in another country. If I was not using CW neither of us could have communicated to one another.

Ken G
N7K0
73′ everyone

Another post-lockdown special? – Indeed! And we hope you are safe and well and looking forward to some TX Factor action. In this final show of 2020, we visit the home of a well-known and long-established amateur radio aficionado Don Field G3XTT. A year ago Don moved to a new QTH near Wells in Somerset, and back in March we visited him to find out how he’s settled in.

Bob and Mike get to grips with setting up an OpenSpot Gateway for mobile use.

And, we hear from RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas M1ACB on the amazing media response to this summer’s amateur radio revival during the lockdown period. All this and a free-to-enter draw!

www.txfactor.co.uk

Judy and I hiked up the range road behind Swain’s Farm this afternoon. What fantastic fall colors! I worked Trinidad and Texas with the KX3 and enjoyed one of the last warm days of the year.

I tossed a wire into a giant maple tree at the edge of one of the hay fields. I sat on the ground underneath a canopy of gold and set up the KX3.

I started on 17 meters and heard 9Z4Y Mark from Trinidad just finishing up a QSO. I called and he gave me a 559. Then I switched to 20 meters.

W5ZO in Texas had just signed with another station when I called him. Mike was strong to me and gave me a 559. He kept saying how surprised he was, because I was peaking at S8. We chatted for 15 minutes and then signed.

My view from under the maple tree was stunning with a view to the south and east toward the Belknap Range.

This may be the last warm day of the year. Next week the forecast is calling for cold temperatures in the 40s during the day.

There are many challenges for today’s amateur radio operators. Low sunspots and poor propagation, Covid-19 virus limiting ham club meetings and normal fraternizing of local hams, HOA’s and other limits on outside antennas are real and must be dealt with. This also limits the help of ELMERS who can help new hams to understand how to cope with these problems.

One of the biggest problems is the limitations of apartment living. Many older hams have been forced to downsize as well as younger hams who cannot afford a single family home face these challenges daily. I hope I can provide some help for this challenge.

First let us consider the type of apartment. If a first floor apartment- consider moving. Really being on a higher floor is a big help with antennas. OK, well that can be dealt with anyway. Does the apartment have a balcony? How about a screened in porch. Are the windows small, or picture window size? Is there access to the roof? Are the walls concrete, wood or full of steel? Does the apartment management allow antennas? These are valid considerations and will affect antenna choices.

Not all antennas are equal. The half-wave dipole is the basis of comparison for antennas. Mobile whip antennas for HF are usually less than 20 percent efficient. However many apartment dwellers have operated using whips installed on their balconies.

Magnetic loop antennas of 1 to 3 meter diameters have been used successfully even they are about 40 to 60 percent efficient. Larger loops of 30 to 50 feet circumference can be used multiband operation with 60 to 80 percent efficiency. Fortunate amateurs that can install an end fed antenna can see 60 to 90 percent efficiency depending on the frequency of operation.

How does efficiency factor into antenna selection? The old saying “The bigger the better” certainly applies. Assuming a 100 watt transmitter, 50 percent efficiency would indicate a 3 dB loss of received and transmitted signal. Many sources state that the receiving station would hardly notice a reduction from 100 watts to 50 watts.

It is estimated that it takes a 6 dB reduction in transmitted signal for the receiving station to notice a change. Remember that a loss also means received signal loss so it affects your reception also. However, many stations operate successfully from apartments with QRP (5 to 10 watt) transmitters. So if you have a balcony where you can install an antenna, there are several choices.

Let’s review some of the issues facing apartment dwellers. Full size antennas for HF are not viable for apartments due to space restrictions.

Apartment antenna considerations

Size

This is one of the most important considerations. Area for antennas is limited and you will want to keep as low a profile as possible. Your neighbors and landlord may not appreciate the beauty of your ham antenna. Full size antennas are surely prohibitive.

Bands

A multiband antenna is probably the first choice. Of course if you have a single band transceiver, like many QRP radios, then a monoband antenna is good.

Ease of installation

You may want the antenna to be removed when not in use. A wire antenna should not be easily viewed when installed. Wire end fed antennas require a support at the far end. If possible, get the antenna outside.

Cost

The antenna should be the best possible at the least cost.

Location

Inside the apartment means the antenna is susceptible to local manmade noise and may cause interference to TV, Stereos’ and other appliances. The building will also affect the reception and transmission of RF signals depending on the materials of building construction. Installed on balconies it should not be visually offensive to neighbors. Remember, the further away from the building the better the performance of the antenna.

What types of antennas are possible

Mobile whips installed on balcony railings with a wire counterpoise have been used with some success. These are usually monoband antennas and have limited bandwidth unless they are auto-tuned screwdriver antennas. Those are expensive. Also remember mobile antennas are often only 7 to 12 percent efficient.

Small loops are a bit more efficient but again they are expensive unless you do make your own. Good variable capacitors used for tuning are expensive. Efficient loops require large diameter or cross section conductors. They work well on the upper HF bands.

Larger loops 0.10 wave length to ¼ wave circumferences have been used both inside apartment walls and around ceilings. These loops can be 40 to 60 percent efficient compared to a halfwave dipole.

I have used a loop 15 feet top and bottom and 10 foot sides for operation on 80 and 40 meters. Using 30 feet of wire works well for 40 and 30 operations.

MFJ sells a QRP tuner that suggests these lengths loops. They also have a 100 watt loop tuner and several other loop tuners.

MFJ makes an apartment antenna which is a base coil and whip with a mounting system. They work about the same as a mobile antenna.

They also make a bracket that holds two mobile whips to make a dipole.

Wire antennas can be dipoles, loops or endfed antennas. Usually there is insufficient room for half wave dipoles, except for ten meters. Shortened dipoles are possible but as the antenna gets shorter the band width get smaller. Many experimenters have found that the dipole as short as ¼ wavelength can be efficient if the RF can be matched properly to the antenna. Coils and traps add losses to the antenna.

Of course, if allowed, half wave antennas can be installed on the roof. Or they can be installed around the ceilings or walls of a room or in an attic space. “Slinky” toys have been used to make antennas also. They can be end fed with an unun balun and matchbox or using two to make a shortened dipole. They can be strung on a plastic line, pvc pipe or telescoping fishing pole. This makes them easily hidden when not in use.

Another possibility is a shortened dipole about 44 to 50 feet long, center fed with balanced feed line or two lengths of TV coax, using the center conductors as the feed line. The shields should be connected at each end and the shack end grounded if possible.

If each half is wound around a 7 meter telescoping fishing pole the antenna can be mounted on a balcony railing, pointing away from the building. This will make a multiband antenna for 40 to 10 meters. One half can be on the pole and one half hanging vertical also. Just make sure the hanging side does not hit apartments or people below. These antennas require a matchbox to feed RF from the transmitter to the feedline. The internal antenna tuners in most modern transceivers do not have enough range to match them on all bands.

End fed wire on a telescoping fishing pole. The far end hangs down.

End fed wires are possible using a 49 :1 balun and 33 to 72 feet of antenna wire. The wire runs from the balcony or window to a tree or support away from the building. The antenna should not cross any power lines or be where people can contact the wire.

Verticals or semi-verticals can be installed on balconies. Perhaps a 15 foot aluminum tubing vertical mounted on the railing with a 15 foot wire counterpoise hanging down fed with a tuner and short coax feedline or a balanced line. This should make a good antenna for 20 to 10 meters and possibly used on 40 and 30 meters with less efficiency depending on the tuner.

This is a DIY TAKTENNA with Petlowany coils on each end making a short vertical dipole.

Antennas for stealth, limited areas or apartments are a challenge but there are many ideas available on the internet. Just allow your mind to think out-side-the-box and visualize different antenna installations.

For more info and ideas on apartment antennas I suggest this URL:
https://officinahf.jimdofree.com/antenne-hf-mf/hf-antenne-da-balcone-1/

My thanks to the many that have purchased my new book: “Basic Wire Antennas for Hams and Preppers” as shown below. Send $5.00 US to my email address via PayPal for a PDF copy. W4BWS1 at gmail. com. More info at QRZ.com/db/W4BWS. Be sure to include your email address with the PayPal order.

As Rick Barrow, K3IW writes: Dear Dr. Don, Thank you very much, I enjoyed perusing your new antenna book. After reading it the work is worth more than five bucks, but I don’t know if youngsters read much these days versus watching YouTube instructional videos.

It might not take as much antenna as you may think would be necessary to make two-way contacts on shortwave radio (as an amateur radio operator putting an HF transceiver on the air). However, often, makeshift antennae are effective enough to be viable–just look at all the contacts many amateur radio operators make with their low-power (QRP) rigs (transceivers) using short, helically-wound, mobile antenna sticks. If they can work magic with such inefficient antenna setups, surely your effort at an antenna would pay off to some degree. Right?

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k5Su–ez2Y[/embedyt]

Of course, I want to make a proper dipole out of this example antenna. But, while I wait for the rest of the parts I need to complete this antenna project (pulleys and a ladder, and maybe a potato launcher), I’ve put this makeshift antenna on the air, with it just high enough so that I can enjoy some time on the shortwave bands.

With this antenna, I’ve made successful two-way voice and Morse code contacts (QSOs) with stations in Europe and across North America. I am able to tune it on the 60-, 40-, 30-, 20-, 15-, 17-, 12-, and 10-Meter bands. Reverse beacon detection picks up my Morse-code CW signals, especially on 40 meters (the band on which it is tuned physically).

The bottom line: just get something up in the air and start communicating. Improve things over time. You’ll have much fun that way.

73 de NW7US dit dit