What to do after the RAE exam?

When you have your licence, maybe a rig, what is next on your list of things to do?

1. Antenna installation.
2. S.W.R. measurement (standing wave ratio).
3. Field strength measurement.
4. Listening to H.F. beacons to wait for "openings".
5. Local repeaters - listen before talking.

Maybe all of the above. Or figuring out the source of all your H.F. interference. The constant buzzing on the receiver. The first thing to do - if it is S9+20dB - is to switch off all the chargers etc in the house. Check with the xyl first! Switching off the washing machine or cleaner can be very annoying.

Item 1 - Antenna Installation

[Read all the articles and then discuss with your club for particular installation requirements in SA.]

Item 2 - Standing Wave Ratio Measurement

[Some research needed. Will get back to you as this is 'contentious' to say the least!]

Item 3 - Field Strength Measurement

This is the subject of another blog item... "Am I getting Out?"

Item 4 - H.F. beacons

There are a lot of them. But the International Beacon Project is still going. Also our 'local' one ZS6DN is still running. So check out the ibp program available for your Raspberry Pi or PC running Linux. There is probably a program for the Windows system. But I haven't seen it.

Item 5 - VHF/UHF Repeaters

There are a few, some even on 'EchoLink'. So you can monitor them from your tablet or PC. For the local ones an indoor aerial will usually do. Putting an antenna on the roof has other implications. A short cable run of even quarter inch cable will do. Just don't place the antenna near your HiFi or TV. Or you will find out about XYL EMC!