"Make preparation and put it in writing so that all concerned (your family, new owner, etc) know exactly what is to happen upon your demise"

What a novel idea!
The author should call his idea a "last WILL and testament".

The center conductor of the coax feedline should go to the side of the dipole that is highest off the ground. Higher IS better!


W9WHE

Actually, you can make a coax choke out of any type of coax. You just need to wind and tape it so that it will not deform from a circle.


W9WHE

"It is my unprofessional opinion that it would be a violation of Part 97 rules to operate APCO Project 25 in the amateur radio service"

SHEER NONSENSE.
APCO 25 is an "open" system and is NOT encrypted (although for licensed users, it can support encryption) and thus 100% legal.

There are dozens and dozens of APCO 25 repeaters operating on ham frequencies in the USA. On the other hand, you might ask Icom about the "pripriatery" code it uses....

Bring a cellphone, with a charged battery.

W3LK writes:

"Amateur radio is NOT the salvation of of the Public Safety sector or any other specific communcations need. It is just as fragile as any other radio service".

Actually, your average ham radio is MORE fragile then the average commercial radio. All things considered, your $199 HT is likely to be fried by even the smallest EMP, while many commercial radios would continue to function.

Don't shoot the messinger.

W9WHE

"Also the workshop scenario was for a 10kt ground burst, not an air burst. LOTS of difference".

10 Kt ground burst is NOTHING. Its a fire-cracker, a pop gun. 10Kt is in the relm of a battlefield tactical nuke, not an ICBM. You need to be thinking about an AIR BURST of a device in the MEGATON range.

What is the big deal?
One more ham "dumbing down" and the differences between ham and CB will be inconsequential. Why not merge the two services along with GMRS and FRS?  That way, everybody could become an arrl member and purchase over-priced, recycled arrl publications and help fund arrl retirement accounts!


W9WHE

If you listen carefully, you can hear NCI's NEW slogan:


"no more testing"

Approval...approval...?
we don't need no stinkin type approval. Heck, we don't even need code!

Power limits, power limits?
We don't need no stinkin power limits.

Try a closed loop.
They are typically more quiet then verticals or dipoles.

I have CONFIRMED 256 with a fan dipole laying flat on top of my roof. What are you waiting for? Put up that wire. So long as you to not have a conductive material present, a wood & asphalt roof will not cause much of a problem!

The key question is where is the noise comming from? Isolation is the next step.

If it really is your breaker box, you have a problem. Ground, arching or something else. Turn off each circuit one at a time. Does the noise go away? If so, unplug everything on that branch, including popping GFCIs. Problem gone? re-plug each item one at a time till you figure out the cause.

Still present with everything on the branch disconected?? Try to DF the source with a battery powered AM radio. Stronger at the box or to the pole? "sniff" near garage door openers, motion sensors, GFCIs, computers, power supplies, wall warts,  and door bell transformers.

If the source is your panel, you need to check grounding and should get an electrician. You can also use better coax. LMR-400 has a 95 db shield isolation, while cheaper coax only has a 50 db isolation.

I have confirmed 256 countries using a fan dipole laying flat on the peaked roof of a 2 story home. The wire lays flat on my asphalt shingles. Works freat for me, although a wer roof changes the swr....but its not a huge problem.

W9HWE
Proud to have CANCELLED my arrl membership!

MUST HAVE LIST:

1) Doughnuts: a) Sprinkled; b) jelly-filled; c) long johns; and my personal favorite: d) glazed!

2) Orange vest;

3) Tin badge;

4) official arrl magnetic emcomm vehicle plaquard; and

5) revolving blue dash light.