My pick for the top 8 commercial antennas for P.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A.

NOT SPONSORED - Antennas I have used, or own. I have ranked these by TYPE, if I were to list them as top overall I would have multiple of the same type antenna listed here. As 2025 draws to a close, QRP portable operations in Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA) remain incredibly popular. Activators continue to seek lightweight, efficient antennas that deliver reliable performance with low power. Based on activator reports, reviews from QRPer.com , Reddit

5 days ago3 min read

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My pick for the top 8 commercial antennas for P.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A.

5 days ago3 min read

Why your Homebrew 5/8 wave antenna isn't working as designed.

A 5/8λ (five-eighths wavelength) antenna is very popular on GMRS (462–467 MHz) because it offers more gain than a 1/4λ or 1/2λ whip, especially when mounted high and in the clear. In the UHF band (GMRS is ~462 MHz), a 5/8λ vertical is roughly 15.5–16 inches long physically (not counting any loading coil at the base that some commercial designs use). Radiation Pattern Characteristics (Free-Space, Ideal 5/8λ over Perfect Ground Plane) Maximum gain : ≈ +3 to +3.5 dBi in free spa

Dec 7, 20255 min read

Ham Radio Reference Wallpaper 3840x2160 may be useful to some ham operators.

I was asked to make this for a friend who is getting older and here it is. I decided if he needed the information others might as well....

Sep 17, 20221 min read

New File Server for Ham Radio Users

Files on this site are maintained by the users of this public FTP server. Upload and sort only files that reside in the public domain....

Jun 18, 20221 min read

Worldwide SDR Map for VHF capable SDR's for SSTV from ISS

Click the map or this link. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1nKBUFaGieptmfX-maTULR-2AZO3WzBEq&usp=sharing The Interactive map is...

Dec 30, 20211 min read

How to view schematics posted on Packer Radio BBS messages on a modern PC.

Use the link to copy and past the message into the converter. Codepage 437 Converter - CodeLobe.com This works great.

Feb 27, 20211 min read

Packet Radio Command list.

handy listing of packet (PBBS) commands. The first image came from this site: Introduction to Packet Radio - Part 11 (choisser.com) I...

Jan 6, 20211 min read

I served in the US Navy for 6 years as a Hospital Corpsman. I worked in Virginia as Hemodialysis Tech, Apheresis Tech, and Cell Saver Tech after that and attended college for Electronic Engineering. I worked in the industry for 12 years. I was severely injured in 2004 in an accident. Amateur Radio and a few lite hobbies are all I have left.

I became a Ham in 1990 as a member of the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club I had great Elmers. I had one Elmer Cliff WB4DPP (not a club member) who was most helpful because he lived about 100 feet away in military housing. Today I operate CW and Digital modes most of the time and can be found roaming the bands.

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My pick for the top 8 commercial antennas for P.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A.

FEATURED POST

Never Miss a New Post.

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

My pick for the top 8 commercial antennas for P.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A.

Why your Homebrew 5/8 wave antenna isn't working as designed.

Ham Radio Reference Wallpaper 3840x2160 may be useful to some ham operators.

New File Server for Ham Radio Users

Worldwide SDR Map for VHF capable SDR's for SSTV from ISS

How to view schematics posted on Packer Radio BBS messages on a modern PC.

Packet Radio Command list.

ABOUT ME

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MY PICK
OF THE MONTH

My pick for the top 8 commercial antennas for P.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A.

FEATURED POST

Never Miss a New Post.

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

My pick for the top 8 commercial antennas for P.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A.

Why your Homebrew 5/8 wave antenna isn't working as designed.

Ham Radio Reference Wallpaper 3840x2160 may be useful to some ham operators.

New File Server for Ham Radio Users

Worldwide SDR Map for VHF capable SDR's for SSTV from ISS

How to view schematics posted on Packer Radio BBS messages on a modern PC.

Packet Radio Command list.

ABOUT ME

SUBSCRIBE

MY PICK OF THE MONTH

MY PICK
OF THE MONTH