The obvious answer is 32.8 feet. But if you are talking amateur radio Ten Meters is 28.00 Mhz to 29.700 Mhz which is a big chunk of radio spectrum! As a Technician from 28.300 to 28.500 phone privileges are available. What does it mean to have that 200 Khz portion of the band? It means that as a Technician you can put your toe in the world of High Frequency (HF). It means that with a relatively small investment of money, space at your residence and equipment, you can communicate around the world. Especially with the sun spot cycle we are currently in.
A half-wave dipole for ten meters is 16 feet 8.5 inches and can be easily erected in a backyard, on a roof top, or even on the wall of your “ham shack”. It can be constructed with the simplest of materials. That lamp you were going to throw out has an electrical cord that may work if it is nine feet long. Split it into two 8 foot 4.25 inch lengths and you have the basis for that dipole.
Now you need some insulators: one for each end of the antenna and a means to separate the two legs of the antenna. I’ve made one from an old cutting board or once I actually used a glass antenna insulator. For a minimal amount, especially at a ham fest, you can buy a commercially manufactured one. Or ask a ham in your club, I’m sure I’ve got one somewhere. (Having it and finding it are two vastly different things!) A length of coax or other feeder line and you have a very workable antenna. You can install it horizontally or hang it vertically, I’ve heard of hams using it both ways. Experiment, try one and see how well it works. If it isn’t working well, try the other configuration.
One of the fascinating aspects of ham radio is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try things. It is so rewarding when you figure it out on your own!
The antenna has not taken up a great deal of your money nor the space at you residence so that leaves the equipment. There are many solutions to the equipment problem. This is where creativity comes into play. If you are rolling in money, you have no problem. If money is a concern there are many solutions. Older transceivers cover ten meters and can be inexpensive. Better yet there may be hams in your area or club who have a transceiver they would loan you or part with for a few dollars, ask around.
In its heyday, Radio Shack produced some relatively good products. The HTX-10 and HTX-100 were the two I remember. One had lower output power but they covered ten meters and were SSB and CW capable. I bought one for under $100 and you can still find them on eBay and at Ham Fests. For very little money you can find yourself talking locally, across the U.S. and around the world.
There is a special thrill when you hear an unfamiliar call sign, respond to it and they hear you and call you back! Ten meters can be your gateway to the world of DX (Distance). You check the call and find it is from Croatia, Peru, Japan or South Africa. Thousands of miles and still able to communicate! Much more thrilling than the time my boyhood friend and I fastened a string between two tin cans and talked to each other when we were twenty feet apart.
Things only get more exciting the older we get. Or, maybe the older we get the more desperate we are for some excitement. But let’s get back to Technicians on ten meters.
Field Day is coming the 28th and 29th of June. Here is a chance to see for yourself what can be done on that segment of the ten meter band! The club will be set up in the parking lot of Oregon Coast Community College. OCCC is located in South Beach. If you want to try ten meters here is a ready-made opportunity. Sign up to operate, show up, the antenna is multi-band and I’m going to discuss with the FD Chair Michelle KA7OQQ to have a ten meter capability should there be interest.
I’ve seen how making QSOs on HF can change a ham’s out-look on the hobby. Whether it is at Field Day or on your own, be adventurous try Ten Meters phone! 7 3 enjoy your hobby! Get on the air!
Chuck Gerttula W7CRG