An air choke, also known as an ugly balun, is used to prevent RF current from flowing down the outer conductor (shield) of your coax and back into your shack. This is useful both from a safety perspective, and a practical one. If your coax is not properly isolated, it may become part of your antenna system, which could affect the performance of the antenna. If you have RF current flowing back into your shack, you could end up with harmful interference. The only materials you really need are about 20 feet of coax for the winding, a form to wind the coax on, and whatever connectors you want to use to attach the choke.
Before: The 10 meter antenna was directly connected to the transceiver, resulting in potential RF interference, signal loss, and undesired noise pickup, negatively affecting the clarity and quality of the transmissions and receptions.
After: After installing the RF choke, the antenna system exhibits improved performance, with reduced RF interference and noise, leading to clearer signals and enhanced overall efficiency in transmission and reception, making for a much more reliable amateur radio experience.
At Makers Faire! I went with my hackerspace, and I had been indifferent about the locksport class at first. But once I got there, something clicked for me. I dived into picking locks, and before I knew it, I was not just learning but also helping others figure it out. I felt a rush of excitement as I shared tips and techniques, enjoying the camaraderie and the challenge. Who knew that a little lock-picking could lead to such a fulfilling experience? I left feeling accomplished and eager to learn more!
At our booth, a French family stopped by, and it was such a rewarding experience! At first, they were quite skeptical, unsure of what to make of lock-picking. But once I guided them through the process of opening their first lock, their faces lit up with excitement. It was amazing to see how quickly they became hooked on the challenge! The joy of learning something new together was contagious, and by the end of our time with them, they were eager to try more locks. Moments like these remind me of the power of sharing knowledge and sparking curiosity in others. ''cientia potentia est''