@kb9vbrantennas
I’m on a mission to inspire and educate the amateur radio community. Licensed since 1999. Video producer and online content creator. I love camping, bicycling, Parks on the Air, and the ham radio lifestyle. #HamRadio #POTA #Video #Photography #Cooking
REZ Antenna Systems raises the bar with the XForm 4:1 transformer and Scout XF modular antenna system. We test the 4:1 transformer, Z-17C compact whips, and Surveyor Adapter with a vertical delta loop antenna. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/NF_sfXS761M
I love it when multiple POTA parks align, and I found a great 3-Fer in Northwestern Wisconsin: Tuscobia State Trail, Wild River State Trail, and Ice Age National Scenic Trail. youtu.be/imCpw3ahwFY
I set out to create a low cost, easy to build, way to connect my Koss SB40 headset to my Yaesu FT-891. Follow along to build your own headset adapter cable. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/_j4E6mbrK8o
What goes on behind the scenes competing in the Minnesota QSO Party? Determination, skill, and a bit of luck come to team K0M as we blow this year's ham radio event out of the water. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/liJA7tfd0xE
Michael and Dave sitting in a truck making contacts for the QSO Party
Saturday is the Minnesota QSO Party and we need your help. Dave and I will be running a multi-transmitter station at US-4236 in Wabasha County for the event with special event callsign K0M. We want your contact! Exchange is MN County or State/Province and FIRST NAME. Help us get to 1000 QSOs
The groundhog saw its shadow, which means Joe and I are back for Your Questions Answered. Thurs Feb 5 at 7:00pm CST (0000 UTC 6 Feb). We'll recap Winter Field Day and talk about what's going on with HamClock. Plus answer your ham radio questions. youtube.com/live/oQmvILD...
It's a January thaw courtesy of the hot performance of the Spooltenna end fed 40 meter half wave antenna. Can it deliver 4 ham radio bands on this Parks on the Air activation? youtu.be/QzIiwt_cigY
Dave, Joe and I head to a cozy cottage on a lake to operate for 2026 Winter Field Day. Will the Polar Vortex freeze us out? Will our 3 Station Indoor operation be successful? Will Joe put on pants? ~KB9VBR youtu.be/c64HwIEWrkM
Team Polar Vortex is ready for Winter Field Day. Catch Joe, Michael, and Dave as we operate from a luxurious Wisconsin lakeside cottage as the temperature falls to -20 F. Club call N9CNF. Hope to catch you on the air.
Joe and I hit the road to activate five POTA parks in south central Wisconsin. We also run into a problem that almost stops us dead. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/d-bFMKVkPZY
Is the Koss SB40 Communication headset for portable ham radio operation as good as the discontinued Heil BM17 headphones? I put it on the air to find out youtu.be/eN4AO21BvvU
Start the year out right by joining Joe and I for our monthly ham radio livestream. Thursday January 1 at 7:00pm CST (0001 UTC 2 Jan). We'll discuss new year ham radio goals, spill our plans for Winter Field Day, and answer your ham radio questions. youtube.com/live/ZPIYz2G...
Happy New Year! Please indulge me a bit as I tell you a story about how the world's fastest computers were built in a small town in Western Wisconsin: youtu.be/e4bze9gU5VY
This week I demonstrate two effective portable ham radio antennas as we hit the road to activate two Parks on the Air locations in Wisconsin. Chris and I also share a little holiday cheer at the end. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/m70JOFDzNT4
The Radio Shack HTX-10 is a compact 10 meter ham radio transceiver popular over 25 years ago. Is this vintage radio still relevant today? Let's put it on the air and find out. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/8z2LydT08A4
Tonight's the big night! We'll be announcing the location of the 2026 WI Ham Radio Campout on our Livestream Thursday December 4, 7:00pm (0000 UTC, 5 Dec). We'll also share some ham radio related holiday gift ideas and answer your amateur radio questions. youtube.com/live/2HGNqs3...
Of all the Ham Radio contests, the ARRL 10 meter contest is the most accessible. It's fun and full of dx contacts, doesn’t require a lot of equipment or antenna farm to be competitive, and is open to every ham, even Technician class operators. youtu.be/UU1-KXXhY_g
The Alpha Antenna Hextenna is Two Antennas in One. Not only can it be used as a dipole, but also as a 1/4 wave vertical antenna for 10 - 20 meters. How does it work? Watch now: youtu.be/23FubDnqI_8
Your first Parks on the Air activation can feel intimidating, but starting out can be as simple as setting up and hunting other POTA stations! Join me as I cruise the 20 meter band and pick up park to park contacts. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/FkcZlZqjg1o
Aurora is pretty active in north central Wisconsin.
Alpha Antenna's HexTenna is a legal limit rigid portable ham radio dipole and vertical antenna system. As a dipole it covers two through 40 meters and as a vertical antenna, 10 through 20 meters. Is it the ultimate POTA antenna? We put it on the air to find out ~KB9VBR youtu.be/B7xe8Wz0nwM
Joe and I are back and ready for a whole new season of livestreams! Join us on Thursday November 6, at 7:00pm central time (01:00 UTC Nov 7) for a fun discussion of ham radio topics and other things. Drop into the chat as we are ready to answer your ham radio questions. youtube.com/live/aIC7UnE...
I answer common questions that I receive about my vertical antenna tripod, feed point, whip, and radials as I set up and activate US-1441, Blue Mound State Park. ~KB9VBR youtu.be/FQef7ho90QQ
The CentyLab PocketPD is a USB Type-C bench power supply that fits inside your pocket and is perfect for ham radio applications. Paired with a USB Type-C PD/PPS charger or power bank, it is a full-featured power supply that can provide up to 20 volts and 5 amps. youtu.be/NnTKe5HLURE
This week on the Activation Log, I share some background about my recent multi park POTA rove of Wisconsin's Menominee River and talk about how I go about planning these types of activities. Read now: www.jpole-antenna.com/2025/10/24/m...
I explore three hidden gems in this POTA rove through the Menominee River State Recreation Area, some of the most scenic, and under-appreciated, parts of Wisconsin's landscape ~KB9VBR youtu.be/A-fckQkImBc
Chameleon Antenna ups the performance of ground wire radials with their new product, the CHA FSR or Faraday Strip Radial system. This is a rugged ground counterpoise system improves on the convenience of faraday cloth and the effectiveness of wire radials. youtu.be/oMnQppoFhoE
When we do events like the Ham Radio Campout, I often get asked on how to mitigate interference caused by other stations. In this week's Activation Log, I list my three step plan for peaceful multi-operator ham radio: www.jpole-antenna.com/2025/10/10/w...
Season 14 of my channel kicks off with the 2025 Wisconsin Ham Radio Campout. Our 3rd annual event at Buckhorn State Park, US-1443, is the biggest and best yet, and probably the largest in-person POTA event in the state of Wisconsin. See what happened this year. youtu.be/Rs0q-J6CPi4
In our finale, season 14 starts next week, Dave and I head to Lake Wissota State Park, US-1460, for a multi-operator activation as part of the Wisconsin Parks on the Air event. Can we sustain over 100 contacts an hour for the seven hour event? youtu.be/lKSfuzPmKlo