The End of 2025 and the Start of 2026 in Amateur Radio (Ham Radio)

Greetings

We trust that everyone had a great holiday season thus far.  Now,  we as administrators want to get rid of 2025 today and start 2026 on a very high note.  The holiday season is still with us but that does not mean that amateur radio has to wait until all the other activities starts in 2026.

The following paragraph is surely the most important in this topic. Before we start the "ranting session" we would like to thank each and every radio amateur who used or were involved in the ZS-Link Network in 2025.  It is radio amateurs like yourself that makes the ZS-Link Network Group a success by being active on the air and also by connecting to the ZS-Link Network. However this network will not be a success if it is not active or regularly being used.  A big thank you to Johann ZS1AAC who runs all the Amateur Radio Nets every day of the week and no, Johann is not retired.  He still runs his own business and are involved in many other activities.  Thanks, Johann.

The ZS-Link Network is alive and well thanks to radio amateurs who use the network and keep on adding nodes and repeaters to the existing network. There are many other roll players that ensure that the network is operational and being extended to other areas of the country and even overseas.

We would like to thank all those radio amateurs that keep the network maintained and running even during difficult times.  Your unselfish participation in maintaining nodes, repeaters, links etc. is highly appreciated.  Remember you do it for Amateur Radio, the best hobby in the world!!

2025 was a very successful year for the ZS-Link Network Group and its membership increased dramatically.  What is especially important is the fact that so many candidates wrote the RAE in the Southern Cape and became radio amateurs.  Many getting involved in the ZS-Link Network Group and the activities we impose.

It is now time to "rant" after all the praising and thanks giving!!  No don't despair keep on reading.  2026 is upon us and instead of having new year resolutions for amateur radio that does not always work out, we want to encourage all active and non active radio amateurs to get involved in amateur radio. DO NOT leave amateur radio for when you retire one day or when you have more free time.  In many instances this never materializes.  NOW 2026 is the time to enjoy amateur radio.  Later might be to late.  Let's start now to  keep amateur radio alive and prosperous.  Some of the administrators recently overheard conversations where radio amateurs complain on the air that there is very little activity on the air and even off the air in parts of South Africa.  Well stop complaining and make it happen.  Join the ZS Link Network Group. This is where all the action is!

We as the ZS-Link Network Group has a winning recipe available HERE which you are welcome to implement and follow.  This recipe has worked wonders for the ZS-Link Network Group and we are convinced that it will work for many others out there.  Give it a try in 2026!!

Finally:  The ZS-Link Network Group Administrators would like to convey the following to all radio amateurs:

• A  rewarding and very successful 2026.
• Many radio amateurs are miles away in terms of the physical distance, but our hearts are close to each other and will always be. 
• Life is short. So, try to make the most of it in the coming year and the time ahead.
• We have always been grateful to God for blessing this wonderful group of people involved in the ZS-Link Network Group.  
  
• May 2026 reward you with peace, safety, happiness, good health, and everything your heart desires in amateur radio.
• You, your family, and friends make it all worthwhile.
  

Happy New Year! May 2026 bring renewed passion, more joyful memories, sense of purpose and endless possibilities to your Amateur Radio en-devours.

 

The ZS Link Network Administrators

Southern Cape:  South Africa 

Website:   ZS Link Network Blog

End.

Hallo

Ons vertrou dat almal tot dusver 'n wonderlike vakansie seisoen gehad het. As administrateurs wil ons vandag van 2025 ontslae raak en 2026 op 'n baie hoë noot begin. Die vakansie seisoen is steeds met ons, maar dit beteken nie dat amateur radio moet wag totdat al die ander aktiwiteite vir 2026 begin nie.

Die volgende paragraaf is sekerlik die belangrikste in hierdie artikel. Voordat ons met die "kla-sessie" begin, wil ons elke radio amateur bedank wat die ZS-Link Netwerk in 2025 gebruik het of daarby betrokke was. Dit is radio amateurs soos julle wat die ZS-Link Netwerk 'n sukses maak deur aktief op die lug te wees en ook aan die ZS-Link Netwerk te koppel. Hierdie netwerk sal egter nie 'n sukses wees as dit nie aktief is of gereeld gebruik word nie. 'n Groot dankie aan Johann ZS1AAC wat al die amateur radio nette elke dag van die week hanteer en nee, Johann is nie afgetree nie. Hy bedryf steeds sy eie besigheid en is betrokke by baie ander aktiwiteite. Dankie, Johann.

Die ZS-Link Netwerk is lewendig en gesond danksy radio amateurs wat die netwerk gebruik en aanhou om nodusse en herhalers by die bestaande netwerk te voeg. Daar is baie ander rolspelers wat verseker dat die netwerk operasioneel is en uitgebrei word na ander dele van die land en selfs oorsee.

Ons wil graag al die radio amateurs bedank wat die netwerk in stand hou en aan die gang hou, selfs tydens moeilike omstandighede. Julle onselfsugtige deelname aan die instand houding van nodusse, herhalers, skakels, ens. word hoog op prys gestel. Onthou julle doen dit vir amateur radio, die beste stokperdjie ter wêreld!!

2025 was 'n baie suksesvolle jaar vir die ZS-Link Netwerk Groep gewees en die ledetal dramaties toegeneem. Wat veral belangrik is, is die feit dat soveel kandidate die RAE in die Suid-Kaap geskryf het en radio amateurs geword het. Baie het betrokke geraak by die ZS-Link Netwerk Groep en die aktiwiteite wat daar gestel word.

Dit is nou tyd vir die "kla sessie" na al die lofprysing en danksegging!! Moenie bekommerd wees nie, lees verder. 2026 is op hande en in plaas daarvan om nuwejaars voornemens vir amateur radio te hê wat nie altyd werk nie, wil ons alle aktiewe en nie-aktiewe radioamateurs aanmoedig om by amateur radio bedrywighede betrokke te raak. MOENIE amateurradio los vir wanneer jy eendag aftree of wanneer jy meer vrye tyd het nie. In baie gevalle realiseer dit nooit nie. NOU (2026) is die tyd om amateur radio te geniet. Later is dalk te laat. Kom ons begin nou om amateur radio lewendig en aktief te hou. Sommige van die administrateurs het onlangs na gesprekke geluister waar radio amateurs aangedui het dat daar baie min aktiwiteit op die lug en selfs van die lug af in dele van Suid-Afrika is. Wel, hou op kla en laat dit gebeur. Sluit aan by die ZS Link Network Groep. Dit is waar al die aksie is!

Ons as die ZS-Link Network Groep het 'n wenresep HIER beskikbaar wat jy welkom is om te implementeer en na te volg. Hierdie resep het wondere verrig vir die ZS-Link Netwerk Groep en ons is oortuig dat dit vir baie ander daar buite sal en kan werk. Probeer dit gerus in 2026!!

Laastens: Die ZS-Link Netwerk Groep Administrateurs wil graag die volgende aan alle radio amateurs oordra:

• 'n Belonende en baie suksesvolle 2026 word jou toegewens.
• Baie radio amateurs is kilometers ver weg wat fisiese afstand betref, maar ons harte is na aan mekaar en sal altyd wees.
• Die lewe is kort. Probeer dus om die meeste daarvan te maak in die komende jaar en die tyd wat voorlê.
• Ons was nog altyd dankbaar teenoor God dat Hy hierdie wonderlike groep mense wat betrokke is by die ZS-Link Netwerk Groep geseën het.
• Mag 2026 jou beloon met vrede, veiligheid, geluk, goeie gesondheid en alles wat jou hart in amateur radio begeer.
• Jy, jou familie en vriende maak dit alles die moeite werd.

Gelukkige Nuwe Jaar! Mag 2026 hernude passie, meer vreugdevolle herinneringe, 'n sinvolle doel en eindelose moontlikhede vir jou amateur radio ondernemings bring.

 

Die ZS Link Netwerk Administrateurs

Suid-Kaap: Suid-Afrika

Webtuiste :  ZS Link Network Blog

Einde.

Why do ants nest in electrical- and electronic equipment?

During the "Sonsakspan Net" on the 30 December 2025 @ 16h30 the above question was asked by one of the participants as he experience an invasion in an electrical box.  AI provided the following information:

Ants nest in electrical boxes because they offer perfect shelter: warmth, darkness, and protection from predators and weather, especially in outdoor boxes where they get a dry spot during rain. Some ants, like invasive fire ants and crazy ants, are even attracted to the electromagnetic fields (EMF), micro-vibrations, and potential starch in old wiring, creating a feedback loop where dead ants release pheromones that attract more ants, leading to serious electrical issues and potential fire hazards.

Why Ants Are Attracted

• Warmth: Electrical components generate heat, providing a cozy nesting site, especially in winter.

• Shelter & Darkness: Boxes offer a secure, undisturbed, dark space, away from the elements and predators.

• Moisture: They can find moisture in soil or condensation within the box.

• Food (Sometimes): Some older insulation contains starch that ants might eat.

• Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): Certain species, such as Tawny Crazy Ants and Fire Ants, are attracted to the oscillating magnetic fields (60 Hz in North America) and electromagnetic signals emitted by live wires.

• Pheromone Feedback Loops: When an ant enters a switch and is electrocuted, it releases "alarm pheromones". These chemicals signal a threat, causing hundreds of other ants to swarm the source to "attack" it, eventually clogging the mechanism with dead bodies. 

Risks & Problems They Cause

• Short Circuits & Failures: Ants build nests with soil, which can bridge connections, causing shorts, tripped breakers, or power outages.

• Corrosion: Moisture from their nests, combined with soil, corrodes wires and components, leading to equipment failure.

• Pheromone Trails: When ants die from electrocution, they release alarm pheromones that attract even more ants, worsening the infestation.

• Fire Hazard: Overheating wires from nesting material or short circuits can create a significant fire risk.

What to Do

• Clean & Seal: Thoroughly clean out nests, use caulk to seal entry points around boxes, and remove food sources.

• Use Baits: Place ant baits near but not in the boxes to eliminate the colony at its source.

• Call a Pro: For serious infestations, especially with invasive species, contact a pest control professional.

Recipe to remove ants in a household: (NOT ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT!!)

Using borax and sugar creates an effective, slow-acting ant bait because sugar attracts ants, while the borax (boric acid) kills them once ingested, allowing worker ants to carry it back to the colony to eliminate the queen and larvae. A common ratio is 3 parts sugar to 1 part borax, mixed into a paste with a little water or syrup, placed in shallow dishes (like bottle caps) near ant trails, but always keep it away from kids and pets. 

Images sourced from the Internet.  (Click on images for larger view.)

Building Low Budget Antennas - DIY 1/2 Wave 6 Meter Flower Pot Antenna (50 Mhz)

I finally decided to build the 6m ‘Flowerpot’ coaxial vertical antenna to monitor the 6m WSPR beacon as well as  other 6 meter frequencies. The flower pot antenna is easy to construct with minimal parts, costs and setup.  Once again there is a abundance of information on the Internet regarding this antenna.  I will therefor not go into full detail on how I constructed my version of this antenna.

Here is a few links to visit if you interested in building this antenna:

1.  Flower Pot Antenna Calculator   

2.  Half-Wave Flower Pot Antenna - VK2ZOI

3.  Flowerpot Antenna for 6 meters - VKIDL

4.  Video:  Build an EASY 6 Meter (50 MHz) Vertical Antenna (Using just RG-58!) 

5.  VK4PK_My_6m_Flowerpot_Antenna-v1.0.pdf 

6.  VK4PK - My 6 Meter Flowerpot Antenna

The dimensions for the antenna was calculated using the free Flowerpot Antenna measurements of Hayden VK7HH available HERE.  I set my frequency to 50.1 MHz.  The resulting calculation is shown in the image below but differs from the measurements of  VK7HH.  

I used the measurements as provided by Hayden VK5HH.

With all the information now on paper, I was ready to move onto the next phase and that was to gather all the materials I was going to need.

Materials that I used:

1 x 3.5m x 25mm PVC Pipe. This pipe must be as thick as possible.  However I am going to make changes to the PVC pipe as it is to thin and wobbly. 

1 x 150mm x 50mm PVC pipe to wind the coil on

2 x 50mm PVC End Caps to fit the end of the 50mm x 150mm PVC pipe.

1 x 300mm x 25 mm wooden broom stick or dowel.

1 x PL259 Connector (Optional)

2 x Stainless Steel TV - U Clamps

1 x 5150mm RG58 CU Mil-Spec Coax Cable (50 Ohm)

2 x 300mm x 4.6 Hellermann Cable Ties

1 x 1385 mm x 3mm insulated electrical wire.

Odds and Sods:

Hot Glue Sticks

Self Amalgamating Tape

Solder

Solder Paste

Marine Silicone Sealant

Heat Shrink Tubing

 

Tools:

 

Metal Punch

Drill

Various Drill Bits 3mm - 25mm

Hack Saw 

Hot Glue Gun

Soldering Iron

 

Test Equipment:

 

SWR Meter

Antenna Analyzer (If you have one but not compulsory)

Amateur Radio Transceiver

Coax Patch Leads

Mast (Non conductive)

Coax feed line cable  5 m  RG58CU 50 ohm

Power Supply for Radio 

Antenna Dimensions:

My final dimensions is listed below:

Working Frequency:  50.1 Mhz

Upper Radiator : 1376 mm

Lower Radiator:  1346 mm

Coil:  14 Turns

Building the antenna and the construction changes I made:

1.  Get rid of the 25mm PVC pipe in which the antenna is housed.  The PVC is flimsy and wobbly. A glass fiber rod / pole / housing will solve the issue.

2.  Look at the images of how I construct my coil and how it is fitted.

3.  I did not use a fishing line to secure the top radiator.  (See image.)

4.  To save on coax I constructed the top radiator out of 3mm insulated electrical wire.  The bottom radiator and coil consist of coax cable. Length = 1385 mm  I removed the insulation at both ends to tie the top  ( split the strands into half en make a little loop. I then used a sucker sweat plastic stick to secure the loop to the outer PVC.  See image )  and solder the bottom end to the bottom radiator element.  Seal with heat shrink tubing and marine silicone and then with self amalgamating tape.

5.  The 300mm x 25 mm wooden broom stick or dowel was placed inside the PVC pipe at the bottom of the antenna to provide rigidness to clamp the antenna to a mast.

6.  The coil consisted of 15 turns of coax (40mm former).  This must still be rectified.  I used a 50mm former and therefor the coil turns should have been 14 turns.  The coax feeds trough both the 50 mm coil and the 25mm PVC pipe.  (See images)

7.  The 25mm PVC pipe protrudes through the two 50mm end caps.  I drilled a 25mm hole through each of the end caps.

8.  I used 6mm and 8mm Heat Shrink Tubing after soldering the insulated 3mm copper wire to the bottom radiator and then sealed further with self amalgamating tape and silicone.

Changes that I still want to make before the antenna is installed:

1.  Replace the flimsy and wobbly 25mm PVC with something more rigid.

2.  Play around with the top radiator.  Instead of using insulated wire rather use a stainless steel whip or an ex army clip together antenna. Another option would be to use a rugged "tape measure" tactical antenna. 

3.  The aim here is to build the antenna as cheap as possible Adding onE of the radiators as mentioned in 2 will increase the cost dramatically.  However it is for you to decide how much you want to spend on the antenna.

Preliminary Test Results:

 

 

 

I really did not go into a full out testing and use of this antenna at this stage.  The only testing I have been doing is with the Nano VNA.  See images above for the test results.

The next step will be to install the antenna and then test it practically.  I will provide more feedback and details in future article how the antenna performs.   Stay tuned!!

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

Building Low Budget Antennas - DIY Moxon Antenna for the 6 Meter Band (50 Mhz)

 

Image: 6m Moxon Antenna (Click on image for larger view) 

With the warmer weather fast approaching in January and February the 6 meter band conditions are expected to start improving. I decided to build an antenna for 6m that will be used with the Ultimate 3 WSPR Beacon. Living in a house with a small back yard I have limited places to mount an antenna.

I finally settled on two antenna designs – the ‘Flowerpot’ coaxial vertical to monitor the beacon and other 6 meter frequencies and the Moxon beam as a WSPR beacon antenna. Both designs were easy to construct with minimal parts, costs and setup.  I will provide more information on the construction of the 6m Flowerpot Antenna in a future article.  In this article I will describe how I built my version of the 6m Moxon Antenna.

The Internet has an abundance of information on Moxon Antennas and I will not go into to much practical  and theoretical detail in this article.  Herewith a little AI information about the Moxon Antenna.

The Moxon antenna originated with British radio amateur and author Les Moxon (G6XN), who published it in his 1993 book, HF Antennas for all Locations, as a compact, high-performance two-element beam antenna (a radiator and reflector) with bent-back element tips, offering a great front-to-back ratio and 50-ohm impedance for easy coaxial connection, based on earlier explorations of folded-element designs. 

Key Aspects of its Origin:

• Inventor: Leslie A. "Les" Moxon (G6XN).
• Publication: Detailed in his 1993 book, HF Antennas for all Locations.
• Concept: A compact, rectangular variation of a Yagi-Uda beam, using bent ends (capacitive loading) on the radiator and reflector for efficiency and size reduction.
• Design: A two-element antenna (driven element + reflector) with folded tips, creating a directional pattern and high front-to-back ratio in a small footprint.
• Precursors: The design built on earlier ideas, including experiments with square-shaped antennas by Fred Caton (VK2ABQ) in the 1930s and 1950s.

Why It's Popular:

• Compactness: Occupies much less space than traditional beams.
• Performance: Offers good gain and excellent front-to-back (F/B) ratio.
• Simplicity: Easy to build, often from wire, making it great for amateur radio (ham radio) and field days.
• Direct Match: Its design naturally provides a 50-ohm impedance, connecting directly to standard coax.

In any project one needs a plan, diagram, guidelines and information.  At least that is my way of constructing any DIY Project.  I research the project thoroughly before I start any work.  I did exactly this before I started on this project.

Now the Internet is your friend but can also be your enemy if you just jump in and start constructing the first plan you find.  I was looking for the dimensions of  DIY 6m Moxon Antennas and ran into an abundance of information which included a calculator.  

The dimensions for the antenna was calculated using the free Moxon Antenna Calculator program (available for download from here). I set my frequency to 50.1 MHz with a wire size of 12mm to represent the 12mm aluminium tubing I was using. The resulting calculation is shown in Figure 1 below. 

Image:  Figure 1  (Click on image for larger view.)

The Moxon  antenna calculator was fed with the following data:

Frequency:  50.1 Mhz (I want to use the antenna for CW and WSPR.)

Diameter Wire size = 12 millimeters

Transmitter Power = 1 to 15 Watts

After calculating the information listed from A to E were provided.

With all the information now on paper, I was ready to move onto the next phase and that was to gather all the materials I was going to need.

Materials that I used:

1 x 1 meter x 50mm x 3mm Aluminium Flat Bar

3 x 12mm x 2mm x 2.5m Aluminium Round Tube  (The thicker the wall thickness the better. 2mm is rather thin.)

1 x 1 meter x 10mm x 2mm Aluminium Round Tube

1 x 1 meter x 10mm Wooden Dowel 

2 x 22 mm Plastic End Caps to fit into the 25mm Boom ends.

1 x SO239 Connector (Optional)

2 x Electrical Eye Lug (Terminal)

4 x 12mm Stauff Clamps (Insolaters between boom and elements.)(See images)

16 x 45mm x 5mm Stainless Steel Bolts + Washer + Lock Nuts

2 x 25mm x 4mm Stainless Steel Bolts and 4 x Lock Nut

2 x 45mm x 6mm Stainless Steel Bolts and Lock Nuts

8 x 6-16mm Stainless Steel Hose Clamps

2 x Stainless Steel TV - U Clamps

1 x 150mm x 80mm x 5mm Alimunium Flat Plate to mount antenna to boom.

2 x 40mm PVC Pipe End-Caps

1 x  40mm x 80mm PVC Pipe\

1 x 300mm RG58 CU Mil-Spec Coax Cable (50 Ohm)

2  x 300mm x 4.6 Hellermann Cable Ties

Odds and Sods:

Hot Glue Sticks

Self Amalgamating Tape

Solder

Solder Paste

Marine Silicone Sealant

Heat Shrink Tubing

 

Tools:

 

Metal Punch

Drill

Various Drill Bits 3mm - 8mm

Hack Saw 

Hot Glue Gun

Soldering Iron

Screw Driver (Small flat)

Alen Keys 

Spanner Set

Small Pipe Bender (See images)

 

Test Equipment:

 

SWR Meter

Antenna Analyzer (If you have one but not compulsory)

Amateur Radio Transceiver

Coax Patch Leads

Mast (Non conductive)

Coax feed line cable  5 m  RG58CU 50 ohm

Power Supply for Radio 

Building the Antenna:

My final dimensions is listed in the image below:

 

:

 

Images:  Figure 2 and 3 (Click on image for larger view.)

I am not going to go into detail how I constructed my version of the antenna. I will however describe my findings in constructing and testing the antenna.  The images below provide good detail of how I constructed the Moxon Antenna.

More information on the build and use of the antenna available at the following sites:

 

(Click to view website) 

Moxon Antenna for 6 meters by VK2IDL

 

Six Meter Antennas — I’ve Tried a Few by K5ND

 

The Moxon-Beam  by DK7ZB  

The GW3YDX Super Moxon 11 by GW3YDX

 

 

My build observations and findings:

 

Now how did I bent the 4 elbows of the antenna?  I used a small pipe bender.   The 10mm aluminum tubes are cut to 4 x 250mm.  I made a mark in the center at 125mm and then two marks 20mm on each side.  The first mark on the left is placed on the 0 | 0 mark of the pipe bender.  Now start bending until the 0 on the top lever reaches the 9|0 mark on the bottom lever.  You now have a 90 Deg elbow that fits into the 12 mm antenna element.

To fit the elbows and hold them in place I used stainless steel hose clamps.  This allows me to easily tune the antenna for a low SWR to a frequency I want to use.  I had two options to join the elbows to the element.  I could have used stainless steel self-tapping screws or the hose clamps but I opted for the latter.

Mounting the elements I manufactured 2 x Element Brackets as displayed in Figure 3. I used stainless steel bolts and nuts and Stauff Clamps to install the 12mm thick elements.  

The last observation and finding pertains to the feed-point and co-ax connector.  No rocket-science here.  I used a short piece of co-ax, 2 x PVC end caps and PVC pipe for the feeding point.  I will however add several ferrite beads / clips to the piece of co-ax as before installing the antenna.

 

Just a word on the isolated wooden dowls between the two elements.  I left the two 160mm dowls for 2 days in furniture oil to protect the wood from the elements.  The oil was soaked up by the dowls  and  should now last for many years to come.

Fitting the dowls to the elements is easy. Ensure there is a 100mm gap separating the ends of the folded elements on each side of the antenna. Lay the two 160mm  next to each other and measure and mark the dowl as follows -  30mm - 100mm - 30mm.  Mark the measurements with a permanent marker. Ensure that the spacing between the elements is 100mm. Now slide the dowl inside the aluminium element up to the 30mm mark on one side and also on the other side. You will now have 100mm dowl showing between the elements. I drilled small holes through the tubing and dowl and then secure them with stainless steel self-tapping screws  Re-adjust the antenna assembly as necessary to make sure the outer dimensions are still correct. 

Preliminary Test Results:

 

 

 

(Click on the images for larger view.)

 

I really did not go into a full out testing and use of this antenna at this stage.  The only testing I have been doing is with the Nano VNA and a test or two on air RX and TX "excursions".  See images above for the test results.

The next step will be to install the antenna and connect the 6m WSPR Beacon to the antenna.  I will provide more feedback and details in future articles about the aim of the project and how the antenna performs.   Stay tuned!!

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.