Dale Henninger

How-To: Quickly Determine Your Grid Square/CQ Zone/ITU Zone

September 16, 2020 by Dale Henninger 1 Comment

As someone who does a lot of portable operations, I find myself trying to determine what Grid Square I might be operating from. Although I do not change CQ/ITU Zones frequently, sometimes I like to look at those as well.

I have some mobile tools on my phone for when I am on-site, but when scouting out locations, I prefer to use a web based tool on my computer.

The best tool that I have found for determining these is located at: https://zone-check.eu/

This website allows you to click anywhere on the map and it will tell you what the Grid Square, CQ Zone, and ITU Zone is. On the top right-hand side (Options), you can also choose to see the zone boundaries. In this example, I have turned on the CQ Zone boundaries.

Wolf River Coils – SB1000 Platinum Tuning Guide

August 5, 2020 by Dale Henninger 20 Comments

Learn how to quickly deploy your Wolf River Coil SB1000 TIA, configure it for fast tuning changes when switching bands, and enable it for high performance. By using the 213″ telescoping whip, you can configure a 1/4 wavelength vertical that is resonant on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, and 6m with an incredibly low SWR (most bands less than 1.1). Using the coil, you will easily be able to tune for 40m.

Here are the links to the document that I reference in my YouTube video:

Wolf River Coil Tuning Guide – Excel Spreadsheet (so you can modify data/view formulas)

Wolf River Coil Tuning Guide – PDF

You can watch the video that I made of the tuning of my 213″ telescoping whip with my SB1000 here:

Below are the previous settings that I used to tune if you do not wish to use the method in the spreadsheet/video.

102″ Telescoping Whip

Band	Whip Length	Coil Position
6m	Only 1st section of whip extended	No Clicks – Top of Coil
10m	3 sections out + 6″ of 4th section	No Clicks – Top of Coil
40m	All sections out	3 Fingers Down

213″ Telescoping Whip

Band	Whip Length	Coil Position
10m	8 sections out + 1″ of 9th section	No Clicks – Top of Coil
20m	9 sections out + 13″ of 10th section	No Clicks – Top of Coil
40m	All sections extended	16 clicks down

How-To: Amateur Radio Log Template

August 4, 2020 by Dale Henninger 2 Comments

Although I use computer-based ham radio logging programs, I still like to have a paper log with me. Sometimes when portable, I do not have my computer with me.

I have put together a format that works for me. You can download the .xls file below and customize it how ever you would like.

W0DHZ QSO Log Book Template

I put my call sign on the bottom center. This is helpful if you are operating under a club call sign or a slant call sign. This will help you remember who you should be that day. I also list my grid square, CQ zone, and ITU zone should you get asked. These are probably things you already know, but it can be helpful if you change locations.

Most of the custom data is in the header/footer of the file.

I also include a area to record what equipment you are using.

The “Logged” column is so that I can remember to record it in my electronic log when I return to a computer. When I am working someone difficult, I will put a circle in that column. I may go try to work someone else and then use the frequency information I record on the line to come back to this person later. Once I complete the contact, I will put an X through the circle to show that it was a successful contact.

Notes:

I use the “Monaco” font for my call sign as it is a font that supports a slashed zero.