Thanks for sharing!!

From K2MAS.net

I've had a number of folks share my antenna and Etsy store recently and I want to give a huge shout out thank everyone for do it! Recently, Mark (KA5TXN) shared a great CW activation at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in a video using my new clamp-style EFHW antenna. You can watch his videos here and read up on his blog with all his content at: DitWit Portable Radio.

Also, last week, Matthew (K2MAS) shared a shot of one of his GoBoxes which includes the same antenna. I think Matthew also shared a link on a Ham Radio Beginner's page on Facebook, but I can't find the link anymore. Anyway, check out Matthew's website which include a really cool equipment list with links to lots of great gear! 

Of course, I will always appreciate the mention by Thomas (K4SWL) back in August, 2025, when he used my antenna for a POTA activation in Québec! Thomas has an amazing page with hundreds of great videos and dozens of contributors. Thanks, again, Thomas!

Let me know if you see my antenna's pop up other places! I'd love to give a nod and hearty, "thanks!" to everyone who's using them.  -73 Dave

Lake Life Radio: FT8

We spent a few days at a friend’s lake house on Cedar Creek Lake during our school’s fall break, and I couldn’t resist packing a little radio gear along for the trip. The view was too good not to play a bit of radio—with a deck overlooking the water, light breeze, and a perfect spot to string up an antenna.

I set up my go-box running the QDX on 20 meters, powered entirely by the internal 6Ah battery. The noise floor was impressively low out there—almost silent compared to home—and everything just worked. My collapsible fiberglass fishing rod made a perfect temporary mast for the EFHW I built, and I ran about 8 watts for roughly three hours without any issues.

I logged several good FT8 contacts across the country and even had a nice JS8Call chat with an OM in Iowa right before the battery gave out. The little transformer handled it all beautifully.

Sometimes it’s fun to strip things down to the basics—radio, nature, and a little time to relax. It’s also a good reminder that you don’t need a big station to make great contacts.

(And yes, that EFHW transformer was one of my own builds—the same kind I make by hand for my Etsy store.)

High-Power EFHW is HERE!

You asked for it, and here it is. Our newest release is a higher-power version of the End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna. Same small size, same simple setup, just with a little more muscle. Get it now on our RadioPrep Etsy store.

This one is rated for 80 watts SSB or 40 watts CW/Digital, which means you can push a bit more power through it whether you’re chasing DX from the park or checking in on your favorite net. It’s only slightly bigger than our QRP model, but don’t let the size fool you—this little box is ready to play.

The Lever-Lock Difference

Here’s the part I’m most excited about: with so much positive feedback, we went with a lever-lock system for this one. Just strip the insulation off your wire, drop it in, close the lever, and you’re done. That’s it. No soldering, no banana plugs, no “where did I put that adapter?” moments.

If you grab one of our pre-cut wires, be sure to choose the BARE option. (The 2mm banana won’t fit the lever-lock, and you’ll miss out on how easy this is!)

Why You’ll Like It

• Quick setup – connect almost any size bare wire in seconds.

• Works the bands – from 80 through 10 meters, just choose the wire length that fits your style.

• Strong on the lows – built with 43 material, it really shines on the lower bands.

• Packs small – toss it in your bag, it’s weather-resistant and field ready.

• Built by hand in Texas – every unit is assembled and tested right here.

The Details

• BNC female coax connector

• Weather-resistant semi-rigid cover

• Comes with an S-carabiner (color will vary—surprise!)

This antenna is all about keeping things simple without giving up performance. If you liked the original QRP version, you’ll love this one. More power, same small package, still easy to carry anywhere.

Wire Length Cheat Sheet

Want multi-band? Go long. Want a single band? Go short. Here’s what works:

Length	Band(s)
134 ft	80m–20m–15m–10m
67 ft	20m–15m–10m
43 ft	30m
33 ft	20m
22 ft	15m
16 ft	10m

(As always, trim for lowest SWR.)

Thanks to Thomas at QRPer!

A big thanks to Thomas over at QRPer.com for taking the time to put my little EFHW through its paces!

There’s nothing quite like sending an antenna out into the wild and then getting to see it tested in real-world POTA conditions. I can tinker, test, and trim all day in the backyard, but watching someone else deploy it, work stations, and share their honest impressions is priceless.

I really appreciate Thomas not just for the thoughtful review, but for the work he puts into documenting his adventures. If you’re not already following QRPer, you’re missing out on one of the best blends of radio, gear, and field fun out there.

Thomas, thanks again for giving the RadioPrep EFHW some airtime. Operators like you make this hobby so much more fun and inspiring.

Now back to the workbench, because there are always more wires to cut, trim, and tangle. 😅

Why I Still Love JS8Call (and You Should Too)

Every time I fire up JS8Call, I’m reminded why this little mode has a permanent place in my ham radio heart. Sure, the new shiny digital modes get all the buzz—VarAC, FT8, whatever—but there’s something about JS8Call that keeps me coming back. 

Let me explain.

1. It’s Like Having a Full-On Chat in the Apocalypse

When the grid goes down and all you’ve got is a car battery, a wire in a tree, and your trusty rig, JS8Call is the mode you want. Why? Because unlike FT8’s robotic “RR73” exchanges, JS8Call lets you actually talk to people. You can send full sentences. You can ask, “How’s the weather there?” and get a real answer instead of a contest-style signal report. It feels human—and in a world that’s increasingly automated, that’s refreshing.

2. Store-and-Forward = Digital Magic

This feature blows my mind every time. Can’t reach your buddy directly? No problem. JS8Call will pass your message along through other stations like a relay race for bits and bytes. It’s like Winlink Lite with no infrastructure dependency. Bonus: you feel like a digital MacGyver when it works.

3. Heartbeats: Digital Breadcrumbs in the Wild

The Heartbeat feature is pure brilliance. With just a simple ping, you can find out who’s out there listening—even if they’re not glued to their screen. It’s like sending out a digital “Hey, I’m alive out here” and watching the world light up with replies. And it’s not just about ego (OK, maybe a little)—it’s practical. You instantly know who you could relay through or call directly if you needed to.

4. Low Power, Big Reach

JS8Call digs signals out of the noise like a bloodhound with a caffeine addiction. I’ve had solid chats running modest power and a simple EFHW at 25 feet. It’s almost unfair how far you can reach on a few watts.

5. The Community Is Small but Mighty

JS8Call users feel like a secret club of radio nerds who actually enjoy experimenting. It’s not crowded like FT8, and when someone answers your CQ, you know they’re there to chat—not just to fill a logbook.

6. Built for Real Emergencies

As a ham who cares about preparedness, JS8Call ticks a lot of boxes. You can send texts, relay messages, check on stations automatically, and even share your location without needing big infrastructure. It’s a great tool in any emcomm toolkit.

Final Thought: Don’t Sleep on JS8Call

If you haven’t tried it, fire it up. If you tried it and moved on, give it another spin. And if you’re already a die-hard fan like me—well, I’ll see you on the waterfall.

CQ JS8, anyone?

Exciting Times in the Shack!

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you!

This little antenna project started as something simple, just a way to share what I love with others in the hobby. I never expected the overwhelming support I’ve received from hams across the country. I’ve been truly humbled by the kind messages, the encouraging comments, and especially by those of you who have trusted my antennas enough to use them in your own stations. It means the world.

Things have gotten a little crazy in the shack lately, and in a good way. My son, Harry, has even jumped in to help keep up with production as orders keep rolling in. It’s been awesome working side by side with him, and I’m grateful for the chance to turn this into a real father and son effort.

We are still dialing in the final touches on a higher-power version of the antenna. I think you’re going to like what’s coming next. It’s almost ready!

In the meantime, here's a quick photo of the latest batch getting ready for trimming and cleaning and then they're headed out the door. Thank you again for your support, your stories, and your trust. You’ve made this whole adventure something really special.

A Personal Note of Thanks

My mom, June Chenault.

Over the past month, our family has experienced a deep loss with the passing of my mother at the age of 88. She had been sick for a long time, and while we’re grateful she’s now at peace, it’s still been a difficult season. As a result, some of our orders from the Etsy shop have been slowed, and I want to sincerely thank all of you for your patience and continued support.

Many in the ham community have reached out with kind words and condolences—and I can’t express how much that’s meant. This truly is an extended family.

My mom was one of the reasons I became a ham in the first place. After my father (the original W5CWT) died when I was young, she insisted on keeping all his old radio gear. As a kid, I used to play astronaut, with his radios and oscilloscope as the control center of my imaginary rocket ship. That spark eventually led me to get licensed in college and I’ve been active ever since.

We’re slowly getting back on track, and I just want to say thank you. Thanks for your patience, your kindness, and for being part of this amazing community!