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!

New Stickers Just Dropped!

If your idea of a great day on the air involves a trail, some trees, and a wire in the wind, you’ll want to check out the two new sticker designs now available in the shop. Both carry the phrase that’s become something of a personal motto:

Find a park. Hang a wire.

But each design brings its own feel, inspired by real places and real activations.

Forest Design – "QRZ?"

This one features a dense pine forest and sunset sky—reminiscent of those late-day activations where the bands finally open up and the pileup gets fun. The QRZ? at the bottom adds a little extra attitude, perfect for the operator who likes to keep things moving.

Lakeside Design – "CQ"

A more serene scene, this version shows a rocky shoreline under a calm, lavender dusk sky. It gives off northern woods or Great Lakes energy, and the CQ up top sets the tone: you’re calling out, ready to log whoever answers.

Printed on high-quality, weather-resistant vinyl, these are built for go-kits, water bottles, hard cases—anything that travels with you when you take the station out of the shack and into the wild. Both are meant to be more than just decals. They’re a simple reminder of why you started doing this in the first place. And both designs are available now in the Etsy store.

Pick your favorite—or grab both—and get ready for the next activation!

New Stickers have Arrived!

We're excited to announce something fun that just landed in the shop — brand new custom stickers designed especially with parks activators in mind!

These high-quality vinyl stickers feature a vibrant mountain scene with the simple but iconic message: "Find a park. Hang a wire. QRZ?"

If you've ever slung a wire in the trees, called CQ from a picnic table, or logged contacts with a thermos of coffee beside you — these are for you. Whether you're running QRP from the trail or tossing out 100 watts from a campsite, the heart of it all is the same: get outdoors, make some contacts, and enjoy the magic of HF with just a wire and a radio. These stickers capture that spirit in a way only activators truly understand.

Bonus for Supporters:

We’ve got a limited batch of early samples, and we're including one free with the next few antenna orders through our Etsy shop. No code needed — just place your order and we’ll toss one in while supplies last!

Perfect for:

• Tackle or Go Boxes
• Field kits and go bags
• Water bottles
• Notebooks
• Radios (if you're brave!)

We’ve already added a few to our own gear, and we can’t wait to see where yours end up. Tag us when you slap one on your kit or post your activation photos — we’d love to share them.

And as always, if you’re looking for a solid, portable antenna to pair with your next park adventure, check out our hand-built End Fed Half Wave (EFHW) antennas on our Etsy shop. Built by operators, for operators.

73 and see you on the air — or in the log!

Introducing our DIY EFHW Kit!

I'm thrilled to unveil the latest addition to our product lineup: the DIY Edition of our EFHW (End-Fed Half-Wave) Antenna Transformer Kits. Introducing Our DIY EFHW Antenna Transformer Kit for those who prefer to build and learn. This kit is designed for hobbyists of all levels looking for a hands-on approach to amateur radio.

Why Choose DIY?

Our DIY Kit is an economical alternative to our pre-assembled versions and are perfect for anyone from beginners to experienced operators. The kit includes all necessary parts to assemble a fully functional EFHW antenna transformer.

Kit Contents:

• All components needed for a high-quality transformer
• A QR code linking to our online instructions for an easy assembly process
• The same, reliable 2mm banana plug connector used in our standard model

Educational and Practical

Building your own antenna transformer not only adds to your understanding of radio technology but can also be plain fun!

Coming Soon!

These kits will be available soon in our Etsy store. Stay tuned and be ready to engage in a project that enhances both your skills and your amateur radio gear.

Introducing a NEW VERSION

After I'm excited about the latest addition to my line of EFHW antennas! After a few request from folks and building upon the success of my original model, I've created a new version featuring a completely different connector system.

My original EFHW antenna, with its compact design and reliable 2mm banana connector, remains a popular choice for many hams.

The new model uses a robust lever-lock connector (similar to the Wago design) that accommodates a wide range of bare wire sizes, from 24 AWG to 14 AWG. This innovative design simplifies the connection process and provides greater compatibility with various wire types.

Key Considerations:

• Versatility: The new connector offers increased versatility in terms of wire compatibility.
• Ease of Use: The lever-lock mechanism simplifies the connection process, making setup a breeze.
• Size: Please note that the new connector system slightly increases the overall size of the antenna compared to the original model.

Which Model is Right for You?

• Original Model (Banana Connector): Ideal for those who prioritize compact size. The banana connector offers a certain degree of "breakaway" if the wire is subjected to significant stress, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on your operating environment.
• New Model (Lever-Lock Connector): Recommended for those seeking maximum wire compatibility, the easiest possible connection, and increased connection security.

Both models are meticulously crafted with high-quality components and designed to provide exceptional performance.

Visit my Etsy shop to explore both options and choose the perfect EFHW antenna for your ham shack.

I'm confident that these improvements will further enhance your radio communication experiences.

73,
Dave

A Heartfelt Thank You!

When I first started building and selling End-Fed Half-Wave antennas on my Etsy shop, I hoped they might resonate with a few fellow hams looking for something simple, dependable, and made with care. What I didn’t expect was the incredible response.

Here we are now, on the verge of shipping our 100th antenna!

That’s right – nearly 100 of you have trusted me to deliver something that will help you get on the air, enjoy the hobby, and make connections that stretch far beyond the wires and solder. To say I’m grateful would be an understatement. I’ve poured my love for amateur radio into each transformer and antenna I build, and seeing them take off like this has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. 

These antennas started as a small personal project, born from my own need for something portable, reliable, and hand-crafted. But the more I built, the more I realized there were others out there who appreciated the same thing – a piece of gear that’s not just functional, but thoughtfully made, one at a time, by someone who understands the craft. I’m proud to say that’s what I deliver with every single order. And I'm even more proud now that I've began using a custom PCB!

For those who’ve reached out with feedback, stories of your QSOs, or even just a quick “Thanks,” you’ve made this journey more meaningful than I ever imagined. Whether you’re setting up in the backyard, working POTA, or making the most of limited space, hearing about your success with these EFHW antennas brings me so much joy.

As I look ahead to order number 100 and beyond, I just want to pause and say THANK YOU to every single one of you. Thank you for supporting a small shop, for sharing your stories, and for reminding me why I love this hobby so much. Here’s to many more antennas, QSOs, and connections!

If you’ve been thinking about picking one up, now might just be the perfect time. I’ll be including a little something extra in the 100th order as a small way to celebrate this milestone – so who knows, it could be yours!

Until then, 73, and happy operating!

Mesh Lessons Learned

Sometimes the best lessons come from real experiences. Or at least the most memorable ones do! I recently setup a solar Meshtastic node at a high location (roof of a building) to test the node and the location. It worked very well and expanded the mesh footprint well. However, I needed to update the firmware and enable public/private key remote administration. So I climbed on the roof with my laptop and went to work. 

When I opened (what thought was a well sealed, weather tight case) I was greeted with a red-brown slosh of water. And not just a little! I'm not sure how the water got in. It's possible some was due to condensation (it's been VERY humid here and recently turned cool and dryer), but it seems there was too much water for that alone. While the node was still happily working, there was some obvious problems. The battery had rust on the ends, a couple of rows of pixels in the OLED were dead and there was mounds of bright blue copper corrosion along several solder pads. 

I dumped out the water and dried everything out. I cleaned the board and the battery and everything still seemed to work. I updated the firmware and screwed the lid back down and reattached everything to the roof and it worked another two weeks. 

Unfortunately, a few days ago, it started acting strange. The signal report went to nearly nothing. So, back to to the roof. This time, everything was still dry, but there was evidence of a bird having visited my node and the antenna was askew. So, I replace the whole node with a newer one and brought the first node back to the shack to see what's going on. 

While the old nose was T-Beam S3Core Supreme, the new node is a RAK4361. So far, my experience has been very positive with the RAK units (this is my second). They are extremely energy efficient and seem rock solid. I wrapped this one in rubber shrink tubing to help protect it. We'll give it a couple of weeks and see how it does.