Winter Is Coming: Expect Snow… and Someone Claiming SWR = Efficiency
The days are getting shorter, the coax is getting stiffer, and somewhere out there a ham is preparing to argue that his 1.0:1 SWR means his antenna is “near 100% efficient.” Winter does strange things to people.
As the cold sets in, the soldering irons glow brighter — and so do the inbox questions. This month turned into a blizzard of baluns, choking, real-world physics, and some delightful nonsense from the RF Satire Corner. Grab a hot drink, find a warm spot in the shack, and enjoy the newest batch of articles.
Why the Y21 Method Is the Only Ham Measurement That Actually Works
No more guesswork, no more “I feel like it’s working.” This is the gold standard for real choking measurements — and the only one that survives winter.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-the-y21-method-is-the-only-ham-measurement-that-actually-works
Why Your 9 dBd Collinear Might Be Losing to a 0 dBd Whip
Snow-covered roofs, coax geometry, and the brutal truth: gain on paper isn’t gain on air.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-your-9-dbd-collinear-might-be-losing-to-a-0-dbd-whip
The Year the Robots Listened to the Ionosphere
AI that actually does something useful with HF — unlike certain comment-section experts.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-year-the-robots-listened-to-the-ionosphere
The 1/4 Vertical Myth: If the Coax Runs Between Radials, It Can’t Bypass the Choke
Spoiler: yes it can. And it does. Winter just makes it easier to see the smoke.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/1-4-vertical-myth-if-the-coax-runs-between-radials-it-can-t-bypass-the-choke
Understanding Near-Field and Far-Field for Antenna Performance
The difference between magic thinking and actual physics — now with diagrams.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/understanding-near-field-and-far-field-for-antenna-performance
Quad-Core EFHW Inverted-L for 160/80/40 m
Why winter is the perfect torture test for real QRO hardware.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/quad-core-efhw-inverted-l-160-m-80-m-40-m
Efficient Monoband EFHWs on 17–10 m
Short antennas done right — without fairy dust or magic capacitors.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/efficient-monoband-efhws-on-17-10-m
Keeping Connectors Alive on Winter Farmland
Mud, moisture, manure — the triple threat. Here’s how to keep your hardware alive.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/keeping-connectors-alive-on-winter-farmland
Carbon Whips vs Stainless Slider Whips on 10 m & 20 m
Cold weather reveals everything. Including efficiency myths.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/carbon-fixed-size-whips-for-the-10m-20m-band-vs-stainless-slider-whip
The End-Fed That’s Never Really End-Fed
If it were truly end-fed, you’d need an infinite transformer. Physics laughs. We explain why.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-end-fed-that-s-never-really-end-fed
Half-Squares on 30–10 m: Feed Them at the Corner or Center — Not the End
Another episode of “but my friend on YouTube said…”
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/half-squares-on-30-10-m-feed-them-at-the-corner-or-center-not-the-end
Common Voltage vs Current Balun Myths Debunked
If winter had a flavor, it would be the taste of burned voltage baluns.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/common-voltage-vs-current-balun-myths-debunked
Not Every HF Antenna Is a Compromise
Except the ones built by committees.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/not-every-hf-antenna-is-a-compromise
The EFHW Capacitor – It’s Just a Shunt Capacitor, Nothing More
If this sentence upsets you… the article is definitely for you.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-efhw-capacitor-it-s-just-a-shunt-capacitor-nothing-more
The EFHW Is a Dipole – But the EFOC Definitely Isn’t
Geometry doesn’t lie. Marketing often does.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-efhw-is-a-dipole-but-the-efoc-definitely-isn-t
The Cult of the 4:1 Balun
Winter pilgrims gather… and everyone's SWR is exactly 2:1 for mysterious reasons.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-cult-of-the-4-1-balun
The Gospel According to Professor Wattson – Part II
Now with 20% more sarcasm and 100% more “SWR salvation.”
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-gospel-according-to-professor-wattson-part-ii
The Etsy QRO Miracle: Five Ferrites to Rule Them All
This winter’s best fantasy novel — available in every questionable listing.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-etsy-qro-miracle-five-ferrites-to-rule-them-all
You Won’t Believe How Lightweight and Efficient This Coax Is
Clickbait? Yes. True? Not even close.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/you-won-t-believe-how-light-weight-and-efficient-this-coax-is
Thanks for reading Issue #10 of the RF.Guru Lab Newsletter. Winter is here, the ionosphere is acting weird, the myths are breeding in the cold… and that means we have plenty more coming.
Stay warm, stay sharp, and remember: low SWR does not mean high efficiency — no matter how many times someone repeats it.
73,
Joeri – ON6URE
Founder – RF.Guru
https://rf.guru/