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Live Free and Ham Pod Live Free and Ham Pod

50 to 75 Ohms and Back Again: A Sunshine State Snafu turned Signal Saver

This episode follows a weekend of hands-on radio tinkering, travel, and improvisation that captures the messy, thrilling reality of DIY amateur radio. From the sunny chaos of Florida to a backyard experiment zone, we tag along as the crew tests unconventional feedlines, tackles a 50-to-75-ohm conversion puzzle, and pushes through gear debates with both humor and stubborn curiosity. Hear how nine different feedline break points performed in real-life conditions, the challenges of coordinating RV wiring, and the surprising performance of a galvanized pipe antenna in a makeshift setup. We dive into the tactile joy of field tuning with manual vs. auto tuners, the drama of coax, radials, and connectors, and the thrill of a successful 59- reporting reception off an improvised vertical.

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