Ham College episode 129 is now available for download.

Technician Exam Questions Part 16
T5B – Math for electronics: conversion of electrical units, decibels.

Download
YouTube

Hello and welcome to the 595th installment of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this short topics episode, the hosts discuss that latest ARRL campaign to defeat HOA antenna restrictions, a new DXpedition to Bouvet Island, amateur radio in Equatorial Guinea, Hacktoberfest, a new paradigm in kernel per-CPU assignment, SkyRoof and much more. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

73 de The LHS Crew

I came across this new antenna, the TWAYRDIO RH 660S, mentioned in this Ham Radio Crash Course video. I have previously been recommending the TWAYRDIO TH770 antenna via this post. The RH 660S is a newer dual-band 2m/70cm telescoping antenna from the same company.

For Summits On The Air (SOTA), I generally take along such an antenna. The performance of any half-wave antenna on a handheld radio is always much better than the standard rubber duck. Although a 3-element Yagi antenna provides even better performance, it has to be pointed in the right direction. Sometimes, we will set up the RH 660 or TH 770 on a small vertical pole (actually a camera monopod with a homebrew BNC attachment). This allows us to monitor and work the band with an omnidirectional antenna without having to hold or point the Yagi. Much more convenient while sitting there eating lunch.

A key advantage to an omnidirectional antenna is that it is always pointed in the right direction.

The RH660 is available with the three standard connectors: BNC, SMA Male and SMA female. Make sure you pick the right one that matches your radio.

On our most recent SOTA activation, I did a quick comparison between the old TH 770 and the new RH 660 on 2 meters. The RH 660 seemed to perform ever so slightly better, but that was probably within the measurement error of the test. It certainly was not worse than the TH 770. I only did the comparison test on 2 meters, as that is the GO TO band for VHF SOTA. However, the antenna seemed to work OK on 70cm as well.

The packaging on the antenna indicates 3.0 dBi gain on 144 MHz and 5.0 dBi gain on 430 MHz. Do I believe those numbers? Not really, but they are probably close. (An ideal halfwave radiator has a gain of 2.2 dBi.) Note that the newer antenna does not have the magic tuning lump in the middle of the radiating element, which simplifies the mechanical design. This is the main advantage of the new antenna: no lump in the middle, resulting in a slimmer and sturdier design.

Summary

I am pleased with this new design, and I now recommend it as a good compact antenna for portable use. As with all telescoping 2m half-wave antennas, it is long and should be handled with care. Otherwise, you can poke someone’s eye out, break it in two, or snap the connector off your HT.

The RH660 antenna is available at Amazon for ~$17. At this price, why wouldn’t you have one in your backpack or Go Bag?

73 Bob K0NR

The post A New 2m/70cm Telescoping Antenna appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is UK Hamfest Review Part Two.

We would like to thank our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

• All Amateur Radio Licenses in Equatorial Guinea re Temporarily Suspended
• CubeSats to Deploy from ISS on 19 September 2025
• FCC Grants Limited Use of Amateur Bands to AST Spacemobile
• Doubts About Solar Cycle Prediction Methodology
• UK Regulator Mulls Satellite-to-Cell Phone Service
• Icom UK Supports The Scouts with IC-9700 Radio for JOTA Activities
• New Book Release: ARRL On the Air Yearbooks
• Fire Prevention Week Special Event
• Antenna Removal Takes Away Amateur Life
• RSGB Outreach Team Launches its First Official DMR Youth Net

You’ve probably seen the messages about the ARRL push for relief from antenna restrictions by Home Owners Associations (HOAs). If not, take a look here. It is clear that excessively tight HOA restrictions are a significant barrier to getting started in ham radio.

ARRL has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign aimed at securing the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles.

The campaign, announced in an ARRL Member Bulletin on September 17, 2025, follows the reintroduction of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act in February 2025 (see ARRL News 02/07/2025). The bipartisan bills — H.R.1094 in the House and S.459 in the Senate — are designed to prevent restrictive homeowners’ association (HOA) rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when such antennas are hidden in trees, placed in attics, mounted on vehicles, or look like flagpoles.

While the ARRL is pushing for this bill, I have not seen much written about what is actually IN the bill. You can read the entire text here: HR 1094 – Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.

But here’s my summary. The bill requires that specific amateur radio antennas not require approval from HOAs or similar organizations:

• Antennas that are 1 meter or less in diameter
• Flagpole antennas, not to exceed 43 feet in height
• Wire antennas – minimally obtrusive wire antennas
• Vertical antennas – not to exceed 43 feet in height

Note that this does not mean you will have the right to put up a 60-foot tower with multiple large antennas on it. Some folks are probably disappointed in the limited nature of this bill. My view is that it is a reasonable accommodation to basic ham radio operation, very reasonable for urban and suburban environments. If you want to build the ultimate contest station, you’ll need to buy some rural property. This ARRL page provides some background on why this bill makes sense.

I am somewhat surprised by the 43-foot height limit for vertical antennas. This is apparently a carryover from previous ARRL legislative attempts. I would settle for something shorter than this…but what the heck. For reference, a quarter-wave vertical for the 40m band is about 33 feet high.

I think the ARRL has lined up the legislation, the lobbyists, and some Congresspeople to push this through. Can we get this passed? I don’t know, but I suggest we all get behind this by making our voices heard in Congress. The ARRL has made this VERY EASY to do. Just go here: https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/

That’s my view. What do you think?

73 Bob K0NR

The post ARRL – Pass The Bill appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.