2026-03-24 Net Minutes

Check-ins (30)

David Bailey (K5DKB)

absent

Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)

Will have an ice chest full of bottled water for Parks on the Air after next month’s meeting
Starting plans for ARRL Field Day (2026-06-27/28)
Expect requests for volunteers at April meeting

Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)

Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)

71 members
Bank balance: $12,599.84
Thanks to volunteer examiners for helping to proctor the exam this weekend!
- 1 new Technician
- 1 new General
Next license exam 2026-04-18 11:00
- American Legion Post 159
- If you’re taking the Technician exam, be sure to have your FCC Registration Number (FRN)

Question #268 for conversation: What kind of power supply do you have/prefer: linear or switching?

(If interested in submitting a weekly question, email n5zkf@arrl.net)

Have both types
I like switching power supplies
- They’re lighter and cheaper
- Very clean power these days!

I use both, but sometimes switching supplies often create interference on HF bands
Switching power supply can radiate interference just by being on (radio doesn’t have to be connected)

I’ve been on linear power supplies for a long time: they’ve been great for a long time and will remain so

I’ve taken an interest in the subject lately
I’ve always done linear supplies myself, though
Switching supplies have really matured lately
- Just about everything now has switching supplies in them
- Grown to appreciate the technology that goes into them

Looking for an Alinco DR-135 or a Yaesu FTM-150R
- 50 W dual-band UHF/VHF mobile radio
Good on QRZ

Constructing first coax antenna trap
Built a long-wire antenna Works better than expected
- Resonates right at 6.9 MHz
- placed right after 40 m band length of antenna, now it tunes 40 m and 80 m!
6 turns of RG-58 on 6 inch PVC pipe