Host: Wayne, KC3SQI
Topic Focus: Slot antennas, lightning protection, and ham travel ops
Location: W3GMS 146.985 MHz Repeater – Parkesburg, PA (PL 100.0 Hz TX / 94.8 Hz RX)

🧵 General Highlights

• Warm welcome to new and returning stations like Phil (KA1PXZ) and visitors from Vermont and Massachusetts.
• Field Day leftovers: Many ops are still packing up, sorting gear, and requesting photos for compilation.
• 13 Colonies Contest: Several participants shared their clean sweeps, and a few worked the bonus stations.
• Slot Antennas 101: A spontaneous deep dive sparked curiosity, explanations, and offers of hands-on help.
• Lightning safety practices discussed, including the limits of grounding switches and the effectiveness of storing coax ends in glass jars.
• Antenna modeling and compatibility in EasyNEC touched on stacking, vertical and beam interactions.
• Traveling with ham gear: Helpful tips for scanning, repeater book use, RT Systems programming, and managing expectations on repeater activity when away from home.

❓ Workbench Questions

🛠️ What is a Slot Antenna?

• Bill (KC3OOK) asked for a plain-language explanation.
• Contributions from Ron (WA3VEE), Chuck (NA3CW), Harvey (3NZT), and others clarified that:
  • Slot antennas radiate perpendicularly to the slot.
  • Used frequently in radar and stealth installations.
  • Designs can be compact, mobile, and stealthy.
  • John Portune (W6NBC) is a go-to source with QST designs and build guides.

⚡ Lightning Protection & Coax Handling

• Several operators offered insights:
  • Disconnecting antennas outside is best.
  • Grounded coax switches help with static but won't prevent damage from a direct strike.
  • Putting coax ends in a mason jar might contain sparking—but not useful for a direct hit and may be dangerous.
  • BlitzBugs, polyphasers, and physical disconnection are the gold standard.

📡 Modeling an X-300 Vertical on Top of a Hex Beam

• Wayne (KC3SQI) asked about modeling in EasyNEC and whether stacking the X-300 above a hex beam would interfere.
• John (WA3KFT) noted he’s had directional beams and verticals near each other without noticeable interaction.

🚗 Ham Radio While Traveling

• Chris (KD3EMS) asked how others handle ham radio on the road.
• Suggestions included:
  • Use of RepeaterBook mobile app.
  • RT Systems or CHIRP for programming based on trip routes.
  • PL tone scan to identify unknown repeaters in real time.
  • Accept that most repeaters are quiet, but local nets can be an inroad to friendly chatter.

🎤 Notable Mentions

• Phil (KA1PXZ) heading to Sussex and maybe activating some POTA sites in Shenandoah NP.
• Ron (WA3VEE) completed another 13 Colonies clean sweep and invited members to share Field Day photos.
• Chuck (NA3CW) refurbished a classic tuner with new paint and bearings.
• Harvey (3NZT) offered Bill a custom-built slot antenna to experiment with.
• Chris (KD3EMS) excitedly shared success hitting the ISS and SO-50 satellites—impressed at how approachable satellite ops can be.