The Secret to Getting Good Station Performance:

YES, it's the Antenna, NOT the Radio!

DJ0IP's Rule of Thumb for Station Performance:

Regardless of your budget,

spend 50% of the money

on the Antenna System.

EXAMPLE:

You have $1000 to spend; spend $500 on the 'Antenna System' and $500 on the Radio.

How to be a Paper Tiger:

I am amazed at the amount money new hams are willing to spend on their Radio, while skimping on their antenna system - especially on the Antenna Mast.

Talk about 'Majoring in Minors!'

Problem #1:

I have seen many cases where the OM spent $5000 on a brand new Transceiver yet was reluctant to spend $500 on the antenna system.

Problem #2:

The OM has unrealistic Antenna Expectations.

It seems many newcomers expect they can buy a Porsche for the price of a VW Beetle!

It is impossible to buy one single antenna, regardless of how many contraptions are added to it, that will enable you to have a strong signal on all bands, regardless of whether working DX or local (NVIS).

Problem #3:

Following what most other people are doing, instead of doing their own research in antenna books or consulting experts. Seems people are simply too lazy to do their own due-dilligence and learn. Instead they would rather throw a question into their favorite online forum and see what others are using.

You may live in a democratic country, but Technology is not a Democracy!

Do not make technical decisions based on what most people are doing! Most people are doing the wrong thing because they didn't take the time to learn before making their purchasing decisions.

NEVER depend on technical advice from anyone trying to sell you something. This is like asking an insurance salesman how you should invest your inheritance money. He's going to tell you to invest in Life Insurance! He'll never recommend stocks or bonds, etc.

How to become a Little Pistole:

Big Guns break Pile-Ups first, but Big Guns spend Big Bucks on their station.

Most of us (me too) are never going to be a Big Gun but there is nothing stopping us from becomming a Little Pistole and beating out the Paper Tigers in DX Pile-Ups!

Let's Talk about 'Majoring in What Really Matters!'

Problem #1:

I have seen many cases where the OM spent $5000 on a brand new Transceiver yet was reluctant to spend $500 on the antenna system.

Define your budget and make a plan.

You don't have to have it all at one time.

Big Guns became Big Guns over a long period of time.

Set your goals, plan your purchases (and your work) and work your plan.

Problem #2:

The OM has unrealistic Antenna Expectations.

It seems many newcomers expect they can buy a Porsche for the price of a VW Beetle!

This is a continuation of the paragraph in #1 above.

Nobody can jump into Amaterur Radio and build an effective station for all aspects of ham radio, right from the start.

In the beginning, most people don't know what all amateur radio has to offer. They don't really know what they want to do. The hobby offers many aspects, for instance chasing DX, Contesting, working Digi Modes, Fox Hunting, etc. etc.

The solution is, start out simple, realizing that whatever you do now is not going to be your final solution. In other words, test the water, get your feet wet!

The best Station Configuration for 'YOU' will depend on where you place you focus. ONLY 'YOU' CAN DEFINE THIS.

The solution is, start out simple, realizing that whatever you do now is not going to be your final solution. In other words, test the water, get your feet wet!

Problem #3:

Following what most other people are doing, instead of doing their own research in antenna books or consulting experts. Sorry for the harsh language but it is today's sad truth. Seems people are simply too lazy to do their own due-dilligence and learn. Instead they would rather throw a question into their favorite online forum and see what others are using.

I'll be blunt here: Most people simply have no idea of what's good or bad, better or worse, because they never took the time to investigate and find out. This has nothing to do with being smart or not. It have everything to do with wheter the OM is committed to learning and finding the truth or too lazy and taking the easy route.

You may live in a democratic country, but Technology is not a Democracy!

Do not make technical decisions based on what most people are doing! Most people are doing the wrong thing because they didn't take the time to learn before making their purchasing decisions. At the same time, most people will phrase their decision; few are willing to admit they made a mistake.

NEVER depend on technical advice from anyone trying to sell you something. This is like asking an insurance salesman how you should invest your inheritance money. He's going to tell you to invest in Life Insurance! He'll never recommend stocks or bonds, etc. This is probably the most important thing on my web site to remember!

Just because someone works for a reputable dealer, that doesn't make him an expert on everything.

Even if the OM advising you is honest, nobody knows everything about all aspects of our hobby, so don't take it for granted that he knows what he's talking about. When he recommends something, ask him "why".

If his arguement is "this is what most people buy or use" then it is obvious to me that person does not know what he's talking about. Good products have good reasons why they are good, and this has nothing to do with the number of people who use them. It may very well be a great product but if he can't tell you why, ASK SOMEONE ELSE before making your purchasing decision.

The reason most people are making the wrong purchasing decisions is that they are believing vendor's misleading advertising and believing the people selling to them. It is little wonder that most people then end up with the wrong products.

ON MY WEB SITE I try to point out how to go about determining what is important to help you make your own good decisions. I cannot make them for you because I don't know what all you wish to do.

You simply must do your own due dilligence.