Where to learn?

Say what

That little beanie is kind of like a collection point for the energy coming off the antenna to keep it from radiating skyward

NO It was to disapate static....


This is the reason why antenna manufacturers express their antenna's efficiency as 3.4 DBI or 6.0 DBI - because DBD or DBM is 3.0 or 3.4 over Isotropic.

NO DBI is 2DB over DBD
DBM is a measure of power

 

Antenna Gain: dBi vs. dBd Decibel Detail

http://www.digi.com/support/kbase/kbaseresultdetl.jsp?id=2146

Leon
(kc0iv)

 

Logan76,
Start with learning something about electronics first. You wouldn't want somebody tuning your car who didn't know how your car works, would you?

Here are a couple of great sites that will teach you what you need to know, for FREE!

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/

http://www.michaels-electronics-lessons.com/

 

Join the ARRL, get a technician class license, find an elmer (there are alot of them in the community). From there you will find alot more info and help along the way.

Listen to ham nation on twit.tv
find the amp hour podcast
learn math alot of it
Read everything you can

check out the eev blog, jeri elsworth on you tube.... ect and google any questions you have.

And remember the only way to learn is to fail and fail again.

This should get you started enjoy the journey.

 

If you add 180 degrees to everything CJ says you get closer to reality.

A good starting point is learn electronic theory first. Yes you can do this on your own.

http://www.williamson-labs.com/ one of the best places to start.

http://www.cbcintl.com/ CB specific training

Learn good soldering skills. The rest is useless without it.

http://www3.telus.net/chemelec/Soldering/Soldering.htm