Category: Tank Radio

Tank Radio

How to test your NVIS setup?

Post author By admin
Post date October 27, 2026

How to test your NVIS setup?

In this video, we’re testing out an NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) antenna setup by participating in the Texas QSO Party!

40 meters is one of the best bands for working local contacts across Texas, and NVIS is the ideal propagation method to make it happen. Watch as I set up the Alpha Antenna Hexenna in an NVIS configuration and make contacts on 40m.

New Tanker Radio Gear:
New Tank Radio Pillow – https://www.etsy.com/listing/4295008136/tank-radio-pillow-for-amateur-radio
New Tank Radio Black Out T Shirt – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-black-out-t-shirt-on-demand-order
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Hoodies – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-hoodie-limited-time
Boonie Hats – https://www.gigaparts.com/tank-radio-logo-boonie-hat.html
Sticker Pack – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/collections/combo-packs/products/tank-radio-official-sticker-pack

Help support me by:
spooltenna – https://www.spooltenna.com/?sca_ref=11327622.GxC4hHpdaPs
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

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Tank Radio Youtube

Let Talk about Ham Radio.

Post author By admin
Post date October 24, 2026

Let Talk about Ham Radio.

Lets Talk you about Ham Radio and what brought you into the Hobby. Lets create a scaffolding for a Ham Radio presentation to being new comers into this Amazing Hobby.

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio

Tank Radio Youtube

POTA Antenna Shootout Results: The Data Breakdown

Post author By admin
Post date October 21, 2026

POTA Antenna Shootout Results: The Data Breakdown

Breaking down the contact maps and final QSO data from our 3-antenna POTA shootout:

• Alpha Antenna Dipole: 38 contacts in 30 mins (strong East/West radiation pattern)
• Chameleon Vertical Whip: 26 contacts in 30 mins (omnidirectional corridor into the Midwest/Northeast)
• End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) Sloper: 38 contacts in 30 mins (great directional reach and spread to California)

Around 100 total contacts in 90 minutes! Every antenna proved its worth, but their radiation patterns tell the real story.

Which pattern fits your portable operating style best?

Live Antenna Test – https://youtube.com/live/zfsV-kWzetQ?feature=share

Antenna Links:
Spooltenna – https://www.spooltenna.com/?sca_ref=11327622.GxC4hHpdaPs
Alpha Hex Antenna – https://www.alphaantenna.com/product-category/portable-vhf-uhf-hf-antennas/portable-vhf-uhf-hf-efhw-dipole-antennas/?aff=20
Chameleon – https://www.gigaparts.com/chameleon-antennas

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

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Tank Radio Youtube

The Ultimate Local Comms Setup? NVIS Field Test

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

The Ultimate Local Comms Setup? NVIS Field Test

Today we’re putting Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) to the test using the Alpha Antenna Hex in a low-profile NVIS configuration!

What better way to see how well local and regional propagation works than hopping into the Texas QSO Party? We test out both 40 meters and 20 meters, check the SWR with the RigExpert, work some stations across North Texas and beyond, and break down the contact logs on the map.

Check out Alpha Antenna & gear at GigaParts:
Use code "TANK" at checkout to help support the channel!

Support Tank Radio:
Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsGPsE7FszSGOQPfwRcDjoA/join
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TankRadio

Links:
Alpha hex – https://www.alphaantenna.com/product-category/portable-vhf-uhf-hf-antennas/portable-vhf-uhf-hf-efhw-dipole-antennas/?aff=20
Rig Stick – https://www.gigaparts.com/rigexpert-stick-60khz-35mhz-analyzer.html

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & What is NVIS?
01:00 – Alpha Hex NVIS Setup & Tripod
02:00 – Setting Up 40m Wire & SWR Check
04:00 – Operating in the Texas QSO Party (40 Meters)
06:06 – Switching Bands to 20 Meters
07:01 – Data Time: Contact Map & Results
08:42 – Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

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On-Air Antenna Shootout: Dipole vs Vertical vs Wire

Post author By admin
Post date October 15, 2026

On-Air Antenna Shootout: Dipole vs Vertical vs Wire

Putting the 3-antenna shootout switch into action live on the air at Cedar Hill State Park!

Switching between the Alpha Antenna dipole, Chameleon vertical whip, and the End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) wire mid-activation to pull in real 59 signal reports across the country—from Indiana mobile stations to Arizona.

Watch to see how signal reports and received audio shift as we click between antennas!

Live Antenna Test – https://youtube.com/live/zfsV-kWzetQ?feature=share

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio

Tank Radio Youtube

POTA Antenna Shootout Setup: 3 Antennas Tested

Post author By admin
Post date October 13, 2026

POTA Antenna Shootout Setup: 3 Antennas Tested

Setting up at Cedar Hill State Park to put three different portable antenna systems head-to-head:

Alpha Antenna Dipole (dual whip setup)
Chameleon Whip with Chameleon Match (vertical)
SpoolTenna POTA Edition (40m–10m wire in the trees)
Everything is hooked into a 4-port antenna switch running straight to the radio powered by a 30Ah battery to test real-world radiation patterns and practical field use cases.

Which antenna setup do you run for portable operations? Drop your favorite in the comments!

Live Antenna Test – https://youtube.com/live/zfsV-kWzetQ?feature=share

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio

Tank Radio Youtube

Social Hangout and AMA

Post author By admin
Post date October 10, 2026

Social Hangout and AMA

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio

Tank Radio Youtube

The Best Free Ham Radio Tools: HR4NT Apps

Post author By admin
Post date October 8, 2026

The Best Free Ham Radio Tools: HR4NT Apps

Looking for the easiest way to learn, build antennas, and program your radios?

Scott from Ham Radio for Non-Techies (HR4NT) breaks down the powerful new tools and apps available on hamradiofornontechies.com:

Pocket Elmer: Personalized guidance and recommendations based on your setup.
Antenna Forge: Step-by-step guides and downloadable PDFs to build 6 different antenna types.
Radio Rosetta: Simple walkthroughs to easily program handheld, mobile, and base station radios.

Links:
What to Do After You Get Your License – https://amzn.to/4xOwr7B
App Website- https://hamradiofornontechies.com/

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Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

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Tank Radio Youtube

Overcoming Ham Radio Mic Fright with HR4NT

Post author By admin
Post date October 6, 2026

Overcoming Ham Radio Mic Fright with HR4NT

Scott from Ham Radio for Non-Techies (HR4NT) talks about the biggest hurdle almost every new amateur radio operator faces: Mic Fright.

You study, pass your exam, pick up your radio, and suddenly freeze up wondering what to say or what people might think. Scott shares how to push past the hesitation, make that very first contact, and why the ham radio community is welcoming to beginners!

Check out @HamRadioForNonTechies for more beginner-friendly amateur radio advice!

Links:
What to Do After You Get Your License – https://amzn.to/4xOwr7B
App Website- https://hamradiofornontechies.com/

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio

Tank Radio Youtube

The #1 Mistake New Ham Radio Operators Make

Post author By admin
Post date October 1, 2026

The #1 Mistake New Ham Radio Operators Make

What radio should you buy first?

Scott from Ham Radio for Non-Techies (HR4NT) explains why you shouldn’t settle for cheap gear when starting out in amateur radio. His golden rule: Buy once, cry once.

From budgeting and choosing your first handheld radio to understanding what to do right after getting licensed, Scott breaks it all down in his book What to Do After You Get Your Amateur Radio License.

Check out @HamRadioForNonTechies for more beginner-friendly advice!

Links:
What to Do After You Get Your License – https://amzn.to/4xOwr7B
App Website- https://hamradiofornontechies.com/

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio