Forward

One of the really nice things about running a company like The RADIO WORKS is the people I meet. I attend hamfests and talk to folks on the telephone. I have to say that since email and the Internet have become part of the hobby, I get to chat with more fellow hams through those mediums than I'll ever get to meet on the air. Some conversations on the telephone and those via email are sent in to compliment one of The RADIO WORKS' products. It's always nice to hear that a product we produce is adding to someone else's enjoyment of the hobby. As you might expect, there are also many questions about the various antennas, baluns, and Line Isolators^tm that we make. Just as often, the questions are of a more general nature, like "do you make something that will fix a problem I'm having?" Over the years, there is an obvious repetition to the questions I hear. I suppose that only makes sense, since we are all engaged in the same hobby. This book is a response to all those "frequently asked questions." I hope the material covered in this publication will be helpful to you and your enjoyment of the hobby. Perhaps, you can avoid a situation before it becomes a problem. I will cover a large variety of subjects, so I cannot devote a lot of space to each question. In this book I cover antennas and baluns along with some interesting Ham Radio myths and lore. Succeeding books will cover a wide range of related subjects.

I know that much of the information I'll be covering is controversial and some of it involves "old wives' tales and other myths," along with nostalgic superstitions. I would never say that my answers to a particular question are absolute and the only point of view. If there is one thing which I have learned in all the years I've been running the RADIO WORKS is that there are far too many variables in any given situation to be able to "guess" the correct solution every time. What works in my back yard may be a complete failure in yours. Similarly, a problem that I might have with my station may be unique to the conditions at my QTH. That said, some things are fundamental and most often fundamental answers to fundamental questions will hold up. I will be making suggestions and explaining why I've come to a particular conclusion. Your situation may be different and need a slightly different approach. However, with the large quantity of questions on each subject, each coming from a different direction, you can probably glean a useful solution for the problem you are experiencing.

Much of the information contained in the book can be useful in setting up a new station. Use what is pertinent when planning your new station. If you are new to the hobby, welcome aboard. It is my hope that I can help you avoid some problems and pitfalls that seem to beset many of us.

I hope you enjoy this book. Thank you for taking the time to read it. If it helps you solve just one problem, it will make me happy that I took the time to write it.

Stay tuned........

Jim, W4THU