Your effort is appreciated Walt. Stay in your current lane where people enjoy your enthusiasm. I did give up on ham radio back in 1996 because of sad sacks. I’m back because of watching your Coastal Waves & Wires, so there you go.
I love your videos, gotta avoid the toxic social medias, it amplifies the small bad component even tho the good is 100x more you just don’t see it. We’re here for you.
Walt, There are lots of us who LOVE your videos and find them informative and entertaining. Your channel has challenged me to try lots of different antennas, setups, and configurations for POTA. A sincere thank you for the information you put out. Don't let the bastards get you down. W7OIW
Your channel is my go-to for good ham radio vibes. On Facebook groups.. I made the mistake of asking a question on a FB group and learned my lesson. The first 10 answers are from super opinioned guys who haven't even done the thing you're asking about. Then the 11th is an actual valuable answer, but the first 10 guys start arguing with him. I miss the days of pre-internet when you'd go to a 2 meter repeater, ask a question, and you'd get a line of experienced people who actually want to help and even meet up to teach you something.
Another awesome video. Funny thing happened to me related to what you mentioned. I posted a fldigi configuration video for the FT-710 and someone posted a sarcastic comment about something on the thumbnail and all they did was show they didn’t even watch the video. Also thanks for being a happy ham!
As an old ham on the west coast; I subscribed to your channel purely because of your antenna experiments. That's one of the things that got me interested in rf clear back in the 60's as a kid. I've learned some awesome things here. As for social media...I can honestly say without any hesitation, the world is now mostly a worse place because of it. So many pressure cookers out there waiting for you to pop their lid - over absolutely nothingness. And so much of it purposefully generated by,....well,...I'll leave that for others to ponder. I was looking for a diy dx commander style antenna on youtube just out of curiosity - for something to make from scrap - for fun. Someone built one and you should have seen the sad ham comments. Nothing about his efforts. Several jumped on board smelling blood in the water. He committed a terrible blasphemy. He didn't dedicate a huge segment of his video to praising the inventor. He only mentioned it as a dx-commander style antenna. For shame. Pretty sure it's not needed because we all know where it came from,... but the folks ranting reduced themselves to play-ground bullies. Anyway, cheers. Love the antenna experiments.
Thank you Walt as an Extra haven’t ignored us Technician class new hams. It was watching your videos that finally got me to become a ham at 65 years old.
Hi Walt, Saturday. 22nd. Late on parade. Always enjoy your videos. I also enjoy a rant especially when I am being ironic or self deprecatory and when someone misses the point and misses the irony. Makes me smile😆. Thank you for your comments and the contribution you make. Phil, Suffolk, U.K. 🇬🇧
I'm not trying to make you buy a bigger hat size but I have viewed almost every ham radio site but yours is without question the best, hands down. Well done Walt! 🙂
Hi Walt, sorry I missed your live feed. Don’t mind these people. FB and these groups are full of bullies and trolls. If you call them out, they just run back and hide in their mother’s basements. I was on a page about long wire antennas and posted my 35.5 ft random wire with a 9:1 unun and 1:1 choke unun mounted on the inside railing of my deck to mitigate any concerns from my nosy neighbors. I do not belong to a HOA. Short story, I talk all over with it on just 30 watts. No counterpoise. Boy, I got ripped to shreds by the group, telling me everything I’ve done wrong. Whatever! Keep up the good work, Walt. Don’t mind them.
I much prefer RUclipss to FB groups. So often FB pages & groups are critical and confrontative. With RUclipss I can choose my content and influencers. Keep going Walt - focus on the folks who support you! You’ve taught us a lot, and inspired us to be more hands-on and adventurous with antennas. All the best to you and your family, W1GRL & W1BOY
Praying for a speedy recovery for your wife. Thank you for being a positive force screaming into the S7 noise floor of the internet. Keep to the high road, and the others will sort themselves out. God bless, N3TSO
Funny, just as you released this video, I was thinking I should drop you a note and tell you how much I appreciate this channel. Yes, you can have a lot of fun without an antenna tower, a band-specific Yagi, and a 1KW amp. I love your stuff. Thanks so much for being an inspiration as I get back active again. I haven't been on FB for years. Don't miss it a bit. Oh, and.... I drive a Bronco (sorry). 73 KG4MBU.
This is the BEST channel on RUclips and the ONLY one I contribute to each month. The information I get back from Walt far exceeds what I contribute to his channel each month and I can’t wait for the book. Keep up the great work!!
Walt, I watch a lot of different genres on RUclips and Facebook such as ham and cb radio, people who go through abandon mines, metal detecting, old bottle hunting, coins and currency collectors and many more. Practically everyone complains about negative comments. It’s not just sad hams but just sad people in general. I know it’s hard to just let the negativity go but you have to just ignore it. I love your channel and your videos. I did a presentation for our club about chokes, balun’s and unun’s and used some of your information form your videos (hope you don’t mind) and promote your channel to everyone I see. Have a great holiday.
I really appreciate you! I think it's great that you post diagrams of your antenna builds, with measurements. I have already asked you if I could share them with friends in my ham radio club. We have had fun doing the builds, and have learned something new along the way. Thank you, Neil N2NRL
Cheers Walt, you have become one of the Ham Radio Staple Channels, me I simply dont do facebook full stop. Hope to make a qso with you some time, props to ya, cheers n 73
How dare you make the antenna YOU want! Don't you know you always need to consult the social media experts first so they can tell you what you're doing wrong?
I never seem to make the antenna I want, it's always got some abnormal characteristic that I try to capitalize on, like this 5/8th for 10m I unintentionally made with a random core from the cookie tin.
I tried a 20 ft. Long twirl lathe shaving/ chip that came off part. It didn't work but I'll try again with a different balun . The nerve of me to try.lol.
I have stayed away from social media entirely since a series of very unpleasant exchanges on the QRZ discussion groups. One time I asked why the Technician exam had questions about antenna towers when Techs were mostly limited to HTs and 10m. Another time I asked about bringing radios onboard a cruise. You'd think I was asking about the most painful way to torture puppies to death. Let's face the simple fact that this hobby is aging rapidly and getting crankier by the day. Many of these pathetic basket cases are home alone, probably disabled, on multiple pills, with nothing to do but take a few more snipes at the world before they draw their final breath. It's sad and pathetic. What's even sadder is that nobody, but NOBODY, ever comes to your defense. Stick with what you're doing pal. You already have the best ham podcast IMO. No reason to waste time and good will on social media.
Great live stream ! yes there is some sad hams on social media. But being on the air and all over the bands .their is very very few sad hams on the air. Most stick to 7200 and parts of 80 . With a easy 10 and 11 meter antenna the end fed half wave vertical can work great and a easy setup ! The 5/8 wave with 4:1 will work as well just longer . I have done 43FT about 5/8 wave on 20 meter and works great. the tune was 1.7 SWR so I pushed TUNE on my 7300 and done. with that fold back trick you can get 10/11/12 meter on same antenna. Just cut for 12 and fold back and twist for outher bands , I used different color heat shrink to mark the tune points. The coax T2LT is a outher easy build antenna . just take a piece of like RG 8X . No radials needed and set up fast. you wind the coax on like a 65MM plastic tube or bottle and tape, just search T2LT on youtube . many made them. I talked NY to England on one on 11 meters ! 73
Walt, I'm one of your Patreons. I support your channel because a) you seem like one of the few normal guys on youtube and b) I've built several of your antennas and THEY ARE ALL GREAT. Keep up the good work. 73
Your laid-back approach will always make for great videos. Some of these folks of whom you refer to have their greatest strength in being self-righteous in this hobby. Many have taken being a ham radio operator much too seriously and have failed in mentoring new license holders.
A lot of operators don't realize that with different antennas you get a different take off angles and get contacts that you don't hear on other antennas. Keep up the good work Walt! KI5YKG
Walt, as usual I love your content. I'm on various ham pages (and other topics) on FB but I'm about to prune how many I'm on. Your antenna experiments are great, and because of them in the back of my mind is the tiny seed of a plan to next year revisit a particular Pacific Island and operate from the beach as I did in 2016. I had so much fun even though at the time I used an aluminium four band trapped vertical but now thanks to you I know there are better and easier verticals. Keep on mucking around with antennas so we can have fun watching you having fun! VK4BOB
I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you for creating and sharing them. I try to avoid asking dumb questions, but constitutes dumb is relative. I'm completely new, but trying to learn. Reddit is great for experts on everything.
I missed the live stream but caught it after….. Walt…. You’re a straight up guy…. That’s one of the many great things about your channel…. I hope the haters don’t discourage you….. You’re the best ham guy on the tube….. Hope to catch you on the air some day… KD8KOZ Jon from Michigan……☮️
Walt, you were the only one out of all the radio channels that actually took the time to answer my new guy antenna questions about the QT 80 that I bought for my truck, I love your videos and channel , I was really thinking about just saying fk it and giving up because so many either ignore or call someone who is new and asking questions stupid, I respect you and your approach to bringing newbies into the radio world, I am currently saving up for the Fire stick FS 2 and a couple hamstiks, and because of you I am looking forward to start experimenting with building my own antennas , please never stop making videos and never change your incredible attitude 👍👍 , Blessed Be to you and your family my brother 👍👍❤️
Great stuff as always Walt! Pursuant to the hat comment, you were correct regarding Angry Minnow. I have the Johnson Sea Horse hat...and love it. BTW, you have to be old to recognize the Johnson Sea Horse reference...hi hi. 73's and best wishes for a safe and blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Sorry I missed your live stream…. I took my daughters to dance class then went to the nearby bar to have one MegaBoss to kill the time. Don’t pay attention to the sad hams and the other haters. They are the minority, and the majority appreciates what you do on the channel. Bill, KC2KNA
Keep up the good work Walt 👍. The most exciting thing of operating any radio is experimenting for yourself. Everyone’s situation will be different so the “so called sage advice from experts“ maybe wrong for some people. Try and enjoy is my motto. Stay safe my friend, de M7FGD.
Hoping for your wife for the best possible outcome. You should do what Randy (notarubicon) does: stickies the sad ham comments. I don't care for verticals and DX ing, but I still find your channel interesting. It's really cool to see the results, especially when you tried to load the tower and use it as the antenna! I was debating an OCFD but decided to experiment with a full wave loop. I may still do it though.
I appreciate your enthusiasm and “no fear method” of building antennas. As a newer General, antennas are intimidating to me and you make it look easy. Inspiring! Thank you!
God Walt! Your so right. I had a vintage motorcycle shop at home and shared a lot of the interesting repairs and restoration jobs on Facebook. I wish I never had because with time people became really negative and sucked the fun right out of it. Never post anything much on there now. Liked the OCF vertical. Can you experiment with a 20/10 fan OCF vertical with 2 elements? Keep on creating.
Here is what is great about your channel, you share “your” fun. I use a rule of replying “Thank you for the information, I will review and take that information into consideration”.
On my "I LOVE QRP!" FB group I do not stand for the SAD HAM BS! There is no such thing as a "STUPID QUESTION" If the person knew the answer, they wouldn't ask right? We all should be elmering and supporting each other in the hobby.. My members on the group help police the rude and mean comments and report such posts to the admins. (Thank You) The group has 18k members and growing and with that I am honored to post Walts videos.. You can always learn something new.. Walt keep the videos coming and thank you forf supporting the hobby.. 73..
I asked one simple question on the QRZ forum and got hammered down like I couldn't believe. Screw that place. And Im NOT on Fake Book. Nor any other types of social media other than two old style forums. And they aren't ham radio related.
I miss living in Metairie! Don’t really miss the rest of the state much, but I have fond memories of living right on the 17th Street Canal in Metairie.
Walt keep doing you. I have found that no matter what the hobby is you have sad folks. I don’t care if it’s radio, rv’s, woodworking grilling burgers or even quilting, people love to be sad I still support my local club but seldom get involved with the goings on. I watch an extreme amount of ham RUclips in the never ending search for my people. I’ve found a few, I consider you one. Everything in life doesn’t need to be serious, especially one’s hobbies. I enjoy groups that are good at enjoying life in general. For a hobby or service depending on why one chooses to become a ham, it centers around communication and yet there is a percentage that really suck at it. So just keep doing what you are doing. I do have suggestion any chance you could set up a yearly membership to SWCG?
I joined groups on FB that were titled for my antenna interests, and some YT channels. Turns out a lot of them were full of it and just wanted to hear the echos of their own derangement. So much for that. So I just keep my ideas to my self, and wait for others to come to the same conclusion and designs.
You have a great outlook on social media. Here is one of those questions. How ling of a random wire with a 9:1 unun would I need to cover all bands from 160-10 meters? Thanks and 73s.
I try and help newcomers, but some of the "experts" on Facebook are people who have only had a licence for a few years. Their attitude seems to be that you must wait until you can get an optimal station set up and you must spend money. There is a terrible coax fetish too. They tell people they need ultra expensive coax for a 10m run on 14 MHz. I started as a kid with no money, when gear was very expensive. My first antenna was a 20m dipole made of steel garden wire fed with TV coax. It worked.
They're always going to be people that'll always put you down for whatever reason. As the old saying goes misery loves company. It's sad that it can't be a community. Don't get me wrong there's a lot of great people willing to help out us new guys. I say I'm new I'm not licensed yet, but working towards it. Walt if truer words have never been spoken. Preach it brother maybe someday they'll come around and see that you can catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar. Keep the good fight Walt. I enjoy your videos.
I appreciate your videos, they got me interested in Pota. I have a 2nd hand usdr40 diy radio for it. (Cash is short as I'm disabled, it's amazing what you can do reconditioning old rigs. My fave is a heathkit hw32 20 meters I got running again.) My user is kinda sad as radios go, but got hooked on qrp with my first try. Mid Vancouver Island to Andrews Airforce back. I chatted with a fellow while he waited for a delayed launch! How's your book going? Looking forward to it.
Always enjoy your videos Walt. FB sucks and is a toxic environment I stay well clear. Unfortunately there are some pretty sad people out there who think they know everything. kind regards 2W0IEP 73.
recently found your channel. don't have my license yet, but looking to test for tech 'soon', get a radio at some point. apparently, radios are expensive, lol. thanks for the anti-sad content.
The admin that was saying he doesn’t get the point of your build is probably one of the ones that are perplexed when you’re operating QRP and still blowing their ears off with a 59+.
"Why would you build an off center fed dipole?" ... Only one answer required, "because I can". Clearly these naysayers don't understand how some of the worlds greatest inventions happen, No doubt they would have roasted Thomas Edison back in the day for trying to burn carbon in a glass container. Keep up the good work, great channel.
I am in landlocked Colorado. I do live near some large reservoirs. Is there any advantage to grounding in a body of fresh water as opposed to saltwater?
ive seen in a few channels i follow on facebook, and theres alot of keyboard Warriors! they dont know the front from there back! RUclips is a place learn and your wiling to teach! Not everyone can fork out money for Antennas and equipment, but love to tinker! buy what you can and try and build what you cant afford!
Sad hams tend to cherish their callsign and their license tier a little too much. It is a thing where younger generations are getting into radio not as a hobby, but for Emcomm purposes. Being on a callsign database is not attractive to many, but legally abide by the FCC overlords requires one.
To me, it makes sense that there will be some hams being very critical. There are folks in highly technical fields who are experts in electronics and radio and tech , but not experts in how to be encouraging to others. I’m pretty sure I was one of those people, and then after 9 years and $50K of therapy, something clicked and now I can see what I was like by watching how lots of smart people interact. It’s tough to experience the negativity. At the same time negativity and hate can get you elected :)
The ocfd for 10m video had me watching to see if there was an advantageous reason for it... Nope. Just because. Good enough. Of course now I'm curious what a scan with a vna might reveal about where else it might work... Now I'm wondering how the antenna split to make the upper section 5/8 would work out. As for the turds out there.... I just laugh thinking about how much they fester about things that don't affect them. I guess my extra thick skin and total lack of caring about others opinions let me be happy. Just offer them a wiggly middle finger with a smile... Keep on keeping on...
Sad Hams are live and well…. I am concerned that they will be the end of amateur radio. There is a small group that opposes any type emergency communications.
I'll find your videos anywhere. To heck with the sad hams. Im a newer ham and I never get how they are always so rude. It's crazy the elitist that are out there.
I dont do much vhf and uhf anymore. Too much cult of personality. Cb and freeband tend to be a lot of fun too. Even gmrs is fun. Old boomers telling u stuff from 1979 is boring. ✌️
One of the downsides to ham radio in general is the high number of know-it-all types. "Sad" is a good descriptor for them because although they may possess a slightly higher level of knowledge in some areas, they are sadly lacking in people skills and seem to be devoid of a true sense of humor. And that is sad! Stay salty my friend.
Your effort is appreciated Walt. Stay in your current lane where people enjoy your enthusiasm. I did give up on ham radio back in 1996 because of sad sacks. I’m back because of watching your Coastal Waves & Wires, so there you go.
There are lots of nice groups on HF to chat with. Just keep moving that VFO!
@@chuckrann6282 same here and I'm with you.
I love your videos, gotta avoid the toxic social medias, it amplifies the small bad component even tho the good is 100x more you just don’t see it. We’re here for you.
Wishing your wife a speedy and full recovery, don’t forget to take care of yourself too!
Walt, There are lots of us who LOVE your videos and find them informative and entertaining. Your channel has challenged me to try lots of different antennas, setups, and configurations for POTA. A sincere thank you for the information you put out. Don't let the bastards get you down. W7OIW
Your channel is my go-to for good ham radio vibes. On Facebook groups.. I made the mistake of asking a question on a FB group and learned my lesson. The first 10 answers are from super opinioned guys who haven't even done the thing you're asking about. Then the 11th is an actual valuable answer, but the first 10 guys start arguing with him. I miss the days of pre-internet when you'd go to a 2 meter repeater, ask a question, and you'd get a line of experienced people who actually want to help and even meet up to teach you something.
Another awesome video. Funny thing happened to me related to what you mentioned. I posted a fldigi configuration video for the FT-710 and someone posted a sarcastic comment about something on the thumbnail and all they did was show they didn’t even watch the video. Also thanks for being a happy ham!
As an old ham on the west coast; I subscribed to your channel purely because of your antenna experiments. That's one of the things that got me interested in rf clear back in the 60's as a kid. I've learned some awesome things here. As for social media...I can honestly say without any hesitation, the world is now mostly a worse place because of it. So many pressure cookers out there waiting for you to pop their lid - over absolutely nothingness. And so much of it purposefully generated by,....well,...I'll leave that for others to ponder.
I was looking for a diy dx commander style antenna on youtube just out of curiosity - for something to make from scrap - for fun. Someone built one and you should have seen the sad ham comments. Nothing about his efforts. Several jumped on board smelling blood in the water. He committed a terrible blasphemy. He didn't dedicate a huge segment of his video to praising the inventor. He only mentioned it as a dx-commander style antenna. For shame. Pretty sure it's not needed because we all know where it came from,... but the folks ranting reduced themselves to play-ground bullies. Anyway, cheers. Love the antenna experiments.
Keep spreading positive vibes! Your followers appreciate your dedication. Ignore the clowns!
Thank you Walt as an Extra haven’t ignored us Technician class new hams. It was watching your videos that finally got me to become a ham at 65 years old.
Hi Walt, Saturday. 22nd. Late on parade. Always enjoy your videos. I also enjoy a rant especially when I am being ironic or self deprecatory and when someone misses the point and misses the irony. Makes me smile😆. Thank you for your comments and the contribution you make. Phil, Suffolk, U.K. 🇬🇧
I'm not trying to make you buy a bigger hat size but I have viewed almost every ham radio site
but yours is without question the best, hands down. Well done Walt! 🙂
Somebody is always gonna hate! We enjoy what you’re doing, keep putting out your videos!
Hi Walt, sorry I missed your live feed. Don’t mind these people. FB and these groups are full of bullies and trolls. If you call them out, they just run back and hide in their mother’s basements. I was on a page about long wire antennas and posted my 35.5 ft random wire with a 9:1 unun and 1:1 choke unun mounted on the inside railing of my deck to mitigate any concerns from my nosy neighbors. I do not belong to a HOA. Short story, I talk all over with it on just 30 watts. No counterpoise. Boy, I got ripped to shreds by the group, telling me everything I’ve done wrong. Whatever! Keep up the good work, Walt. Don’t mind them.
I much prefer RUclipss to FB groups. So often FB pages & groups are critical and confrontative. With RUclipss I can choose my content and influencers. Keep going Walt - focus on the folks who support you! You’ve taught us a lot, and inspired us to be more hands-on and adventurous with antennas. All the best to you and your family, W1GRL & W1BOY
Praying for a speedy recovery for your wife. Thank you for being a positive force screaming into the S7 noise floor of the internet. Keep to the high road, and the others will sort themselves out. God bless, N3TSO
We do appreciate all the effort you put into your channel. Thanks.
You are so right about facebook, Walt. It is a waste of time and bandwidth.
Funny, just as you released this video, I was thinking I should drop you a note and tell you how much I appreciate this channel. Yes, you can have a lot of fun without an antenna tower, a band-specific Yagi, and a 1KW amp. I love your stuff. Thanks so much for being an inspiration as I get back active again. I haven't been on FB for years. Don't miss it a bit. Oh, and.... I drive a Bronco (sorry). 73 KG4MBU.
This is the BEST channel on RUclips and the ONLY one I contribute to each month. The information I get back from Walt far exceeds what I contribute to his channel each month and I can’t wait for the book. Keep up the great work!!
Walt, I watch a lot of different genres on RUclips and Facebook such as ham and cb radio, people who go through abandon mines, metal detecting, old bottle hunting, coins and currency collectors and many more. Practically everyone complains about negative comments. It’s not just sad hams but just sad people in general. I know it’s hard to just let the negativity go but you have to just ignore it. I love your channel and your videos. I did a presentation for our club about chokes, balun’s and unun’s and used some of your information form your videos (hope you don’t mind) and promote your channel to everyone I see. Have a great holiday.
I really appreciate you! I think it's great that you post diagrams of your antenna builds, with measurements. I have already asked you if I could share them with friends in my ham radio club. We have had fun doing the builds, and have learned something new along the way. Thank you, Neil N2NRL
Cheers Walt, you have become one of the Ham Radio Staple Channels, me I simply dont do facebook full stop. Hope to make a qso with you some time, props to ya, cheers n 73
How dare you make the antenna YOU want! Don't you know you always need to consult the social media experts first so they can tell you what you're doing wrong?
Lmfao
Last time I had an expert, a visit to my doc was needed
I never seem to make the antenna I want, it's always got some abnormal characteristic that I try to capitalize on, like this 5/8th for 10m I unintentionally made with a random core from the cookie tin.
I tried a 20 ft. Long twirl lathe shaving/ chip that came off part. It didn't work but I'll try again with a different balun . The nerve of me to try.lol.
😅
I enjoy your videos, keep them coming.
I have stayed away from social media entirely since a series of very unpleasant exchanges on the QRZ discussion groups. One time I asked why the Technician exam had questions about antenna towers when Techs were mostly limited to HTs and 10m. Another time I asked about bringing radios onboard a cruise. You'd think I was asking about the most painful way to torture puppies to death.
Let's face the simple fact that this hobby is aging rapidly and getting crankier by the day. Many of these pathetic basket cases are home alone, probably disabled, on multiple pills, with nothing to do but take a few more snipes at the world before they draw their final breath. It's sad and pathetic.
What's even sadder is that nobody, but NOBODY, ever comes to your defense.
Stick with what you're doing pal. You already have the best ham podcast IMO. No reason to waste time and good will on social media.
Great live stream ! yes there is some sad hams on social media. But being on the air and all over the bands .their is very very few sad hams on the air. Most stick to 7200 and parts of 80 . With a easy 10 and 11 meter antenna the end fed half wave vertical can work great and a easy setup ! The 5/8 wave with 4:1 will work as well just longer . I have done 43FT about 5/8 wave on 20 meter and works great. the tune was 1.7 SWR so I pushed TUNE on my 7300 and done. with that fold back trick you can get 10/11/12 meter on same antenna. Just cut for 12 and fold back and twist for outher bands , I used different color heat shrink to mark the tune points. The coax T2LT is a outher easy build antenna . just take a piece of like RG 8X . No radials needed and set up fast. you wind the coax on like a 65MM plastic tube or bottle and tape, just search T2LT on youtube . many made them. I talked NY to England on one on 11 meters ! 73
Good job man, my family and I appreciate your positivity and enthusiasm for the hobby. Sean-KF6RVJ
Walt, I'm one of your Patreons. I support your channel because a) you seem like one of the few normal guys on youtube and b) I've built several of your antennas and THEY ARE ALL GREAT. Keep up the good work. 73
Your laid-back approach will always make for great videos.
Some of these folks of whom you refer to have their greatest strength in being self-righteous in this hobby.
Many have taken being a ham radio operator much too seriously and have failed in mentoring new license holders.
So glad you are going home for Thanksgiving!
A lot of operators don't realize that with different antennas you get a different take off angles and get contacts that you don't hear on other antennas. Keep up the good work Walt! KI5YKG
Walt, as usual I love your content. I'm on various ham pages (and other topics) on FB but I'm about to prune how many I'm on. Your antenna experiments are great, and because of them in the back of my mind is the tiny seed of a plan to next year revisit a particular Pacific Island and operate from the beach as I did in 2016. I had so much fun even though at the time I used an aluminium four band trapped vertical but now thanks to you I know there are better and easier verticals. Keep on mucking around with antennas so we can have fun watching you having fun! VK4BOB
I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you for creating and sharing them. I try to avoid asking dumb questions, but constitutes dumb is relative. I'm completely new, but trying to learn. Reddit is great for experts on everything.
Hey Walt
Love your RUclips channel. Can’t wait for your antenna book to be published. 73 de WA9SWW
I missed the live stream but caught it after….. Walt…. You’re a straight up guy…. That’s one of the many great things about your channel…. I hope the haters don’t discourage you….. You’re the best ham guy on the tube….. Hope to catch you on the air some day… KD8KOZ Jon from Michigan……☮️
Walt, you were the only one out of all the radio channels that actually took the time to answer my new guy antenna questions about the QT 80 that I bought for my truck, I love your videos and channel , I was really thinking about just saying fk it and giving up because so many either ignore or call someone who is new and asking questions stupid, I respect you and your approach to bringing newbies into the radio world, I am currently saving up for the Fire stick FS 2 and a couple hamstiks, and because of you I am looking forward to start experimenting with building my own antennas , please never stop making videos and never change your incredible attitude 👍👍 , Blessed Be to you and your family my brother 👍👍❤️
I have nothing but great things to say about the Chesapeake club. Those guys help me get my start back in ‘06. Just an awesome group!!!
Great stuff as always Walt! Pursuant to the hat comment, you were correct regarding Angry Minnow. I have the Johnson Sea Horse hat...and love it. BTW, you have to be old to recognize the Johnson Sea Horse reference...hi hi. 73's and best wishes for a safe and blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family!
It’s crazy how antagonistic some of these sad hams can be. Keep building antennas and having fun DXing. I’m enjoying every video! Thanks!
Sorry I missed your live stream…. I took my daughters to dance class then went to the nearby bar to have one MegaBoss to kill the time. Don’t pay attention to the sad hams and the other haters. They are the minority, and the majority appreciates what you do on the channel. Bill, KC2KNA
Keep up the good work Walt 👍. The most exciting thing of operating any radio is experimenting for yourself. Everyone’s situation will be different so the “so called sage advice from experts“ maybe wrong for some people. Try and enjoy is my motto. Stay safe my friend, de M7FGD.
Hoping for your wife for the best possible outcome.
You should do what Randy (notarubicon) does: stickies the sad ham comments. I don't care for verticals and DX ing, but I still find your channel interesting. It's really cool to see the results, especially when you tried to load the tower and use it as the antenna! I was debating an OCFD but decided to experiment with a full wave loop. I may still do it though.
Keep these coming Walt!! I learn from you each and every video but I only have an extra class license.
I appreciate your enthusiasm and “no fear method” of building antennas. As a newer General, antennas are intimidating to me and you make it look easy. Inspiring! Thank you!
God Walt! Your so right. I had a vintage motorcycle shop at home and shared a lot of the interesting repairs and restoration jobs on Facebook. I wish I never had because with time people became really negative and sucked the fun right out of it. Never post anything much on there now.
Liked the OCF vertical. Can you experiment with a 20/10 fan OCF vertical with 2 elements? Keep on creating.
Here is what is great about your channel, you share “your” fun. I use a rule of replying “Thank you for the information, I will review and take that information into consideration”.
On my "I LOVE QRP!" FB group I do not stand for the SAD HAM BS! There is no such thing as a "STUPID QUESTION" If the person knew the answer, they wouldn't ask right? We all should be elmering and supporting each other in the hobby.. My members on the group help police the rude and mean comments and report such posts to the admins. (Thank You) The group has 18k members and growing and with that I am honored to post Walts videos.. You can always learn something new.. Walt keep the videos coming and thank you forf supporting the hobby.. 73..
I Love You Videos Thank You For Everything You For The Rest The Ham 73 NOLA
I asked one simple question on the QRZ forum and got hammered down like I couldn't believe. Screw that place. And Im NOT on Fake Book. Nor any other types of social media other than two old style forums. And they aren't ham radio related.
I miss living in Metairie! Don’t really miss the rest of the state much, but I have fond memories of living right on the 17th Street Canal in Metairie.
Keep them coming Walt. I enjoy your videos I also love building antennas
Walt keep doing you. I have found that no matter what the hobby is you have sad folks. I don’t care if it’s radio, rv’s, woodworking grilling burgers or even quilting, people love to be sad I still support my local club but seldom get involved with the goings on. I watch an extreme amount of ham RUclips in the never ending search for my people. I’ve found a few, I consider you one. Everything in life doesn’t need to be serious, especially one’s hobbies. I enjoy groups that are good at enjoying life in general. For a hobby or service depending on why one chooses to become a ham, it centers around communication and yet there is a percentage that really suck at it. So just keep doing what you are doing. I do have suggestion any chance you could set up a yearly membership to SWCG?
I joined groups on FB that were titled for my antenna interests, and some YT channels. Turns out a lot of them were full of it and just wanted to hear the echos of their own derangement. So much for that. So I just keep my ideas to my self, and wait for others to come to the same conclusion and designs.
Yep. That is the correct attitude. Living Rent Free. !!!! Social media Sad Hams don’t matter.
You have a great outlook on social media. Here is one of those questions. How ling of a random wire with a 9:1 unun would I need to cover all bands from 160-10 meters? Thanks and 73s.
I try and help newcomers, but some of the "experts" on Facebook are people who have only had a licence for a few years. Their attitude seems to be that you must wait until you can get an optimal station set up and you must spend money. There is a terrible coax fetish too. They tell people they need ultra expensive coax for a 10m run on 14 MHz. I started as a kid with no money, when gear was very expensive. My first antenna was a 20m dipole made of steel garden wire fed with TV coax. It worked.
Hi Walt glad to see you
How about “I built it because it was fun!” sheesh
They're always going to be people that'll always put you down for whatever reason. As the old saying goes misery loves company. It's sad that it can't be a community. Don't get me wrong there's a lot of great people willing to help out us new guys. I say I'm new I'm not licensed yet, but working towards it. Walt if truer words have never been spoken. Preach it brother maybe someday they'll come around and see that you can catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar. Keep the good fight Walt. I enjoy your videos.
Hi Walt, Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. What's the best low-cost auto antenna tuner for the Radioddity QT80 Ham HF Tribander?
Good video Walt
Hey Walt ! Just checking in. KD2UTJ Bill in NY.
I appreciate your videos, they got me interested in Pota. I have a 2nd hand usdr40 diy radio for it. (Cash is short as I'm disabled, it's amazing what you can do reconditioning old rigs. My fave is a heathkit hw32 20 meters I got running again.)
My user is kinda sad as radios go, but got hooked on qrp with my first try. Mid Vancouver Island to Andrews Airforce back. I chatted with a fellow while he waited for a delayed launch! How's your book going? Looking forward to it.
Always enjoy your videos Walt. FB sucks and is a toxic environment I stay well clear. Unfortunately there are some pretty sad people out there who think they know everything. kind regards 2W0IEP 73.
I thought the OCF verticle was a great idea! It places the feed-point closer to the ground, while getting most of the benefits of a dipole!
Ignore the sad hams and other jerks! Good advice I'll have to try out too.
Your're awesome and like you, love experimenting with antennas! Who cares what haters say. 73 de KH6DC
Good luck blessings. With wife getting better
8P5DX
73
Thank you Walt, see you soon M7LDK
Good to hear you , Steve k9pdq
recently found your channel. don't have my license yet, but looking to test for tech 'soon', get a radio at some point. apparently, radios are expensive, lol. thanks for the anti-sad content.
The admin that was saying he doesn’t get the point of your build is probably one of the ones that are perplexed when you’re operating QRP and still blowing their ears off with a 59+.
Well spoken
9:00 PM in hazel green alabama N9FOD love your videos keep up the great work sad hams suck
"Why would you build an off center fed dipole?" ... Only one answer required, "because I can". Clearly these naysayers don't understand how some of the worlds greatest inventions happen, No doubt they would have roasted Thomas Edison back in the day for trying to burn carbon in a glass container. Keep up the good work, great channel.
good on ya Walt
It is angry minnow, great online store.
I am in landlocked Colorado. I do live near some large reservoirs. Is there any advantage to grounding in a body of fresh water as opposed to saltwater?
ive seen in a few channels i follow on facebook, and theres alot of keyboard Warriors! they dont know the front from there back! RUclips is a place learn and your wiling to teach! Not everyone can fork out money for Antennas and equipment, but love to tinker! buy what you can and try and build what you cant afford!
I feel your pain.
👍👍👍
Howdy from Lakeland GA
Couldn’t attend this one, was on a ship in the Caribbean.
Sad hams tend to cherish their callsign and their license tier a little too much.
It is a thing where younger generations are getting into radio not as a hobby, but for Emcomm purposes. Being on a callsign database is not attractive to many, but legally abide by the FCC overlords requires one.
To me, it makes sense that there will be some hams being very critical. There are folks in highly technical fields who are experts in electronics and radio and tech , but not experts in how to be encouraging to others. I’m pretty sure I was one of those people, and then after 9 years and $50K of therapy, something clicked and now I can see what I was like by watching how lots of smart people interact. It’s tough to experience the negativity. At the same time negativity and hate can get you elected :)
The ocfd for 10m video had me watching to see if there was an advantageous reason for it...
Nope. Just because. Good enough. Of course now I'm curious what a scan with a vna might reveal about where else it might work...
Now I'm wondering how the antenna split to make the upper section 5/8 would work out.
As for the turds out there.... I just laugh thinking about how much they fester about things that don't affect them.
I guess my extra thick skin and total lack of caring about others opinions let me be happy. Just offer them a wiggly middle finger with a smile...
Keep on keeping on...
I don't use Facebook because of their lack of anti bullying help
Amazing how some people act when they get behind the keyboard
I know the "experts" have the absolute best way of doing everything (sarcasm), but I just want to know what I can get away with in the field. 73s!!
That sounds great qrp on the 🏝️ beach
I always think about FB groups as Noise to Signal ratio. When the ratio gets too high I leave the group.
Sad Hams are live and well…. I am concerned that they will be the end of amateur radio. There is a small group that opposes any type emergency communications.
I'll find your videos anywhere. To heck with the sad hams. Im a newer ham and I never get how they are always so rude. It's crazy the elitist that are out there.
Any southerners have an extra jar of chow chow? Can't get it up in nys that would be great with turkey! Lol
So much hate on Facebook,.
I dont do much vhf and uhf anymore. Too much cult of personality. Cb and freeband tend to be a lot of fun too. Even gmrs is fun. Old boomers telling u stuff from 1979 is boring. ✌️
Facebook is the worst place to do radio people are idiots on thier
One of the downsides to ham radio in general is the high number of know-it-all types. "Sad" is a good descriptor for them because although they may possess a slightly higher level of knowledge in some areas, they are sadly lacking in people skills and seem to be devoid of a true sense of humor. And that is sad! Stay salty my friend.
Them groups are a joke I have more friends on utube then Facebook your right on everything on this subject 👍de. N1sca I’ve been a ham from 93 to now