Amateur radio is not only about technology — it’s about community, experimentation, and learning together. Recently, a group of radio operators from Oregon (USA) organized their first-ever antenna testing event, bringing together enthusiasts to compare homemade antenna designs and share practical knowledge.

The event gathered around 80 participants, a number that exceeded expectations and showed strong interest within the community. One of the highlights of the day was the “Antenna Shootout”, where operators had the opportunity to test and compare antennas they had built themselves.

“Each participant had the chance to use the RigExpert MATCH to test their own antenna, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” said event organizer Kris Golden.
“After the event, several operators followed up with me and purchased the MATCH analyzer. It has quickly become very popular within our community.”

Testing Antennas in Real Conditions

Unlike many demonstrations that rely on commercial equipment, every antenna tested during the event was built by individual operators.

Each antenna was mounted on a mast and analyzed across the entire 2-meter band using the RigExpert MATCH antenna analyzer. SWR readings were recorded for comparison, giving participants a clear understanding of how their antenna designs performed.

To make the evaluation even more practical, the team conducted three transmissions with each antenna. Signal strength was measured at a local repeater site and then compared with the signal received back at the antenna location. This process provided valuable insight into the real-world efficiency of each design.

MATCH Analyzer in Action

The RigExpert MATCH analyzer with RFE license quickly became one of the most useful tools during the event. Every participant had the opportunity to use it to test and tune their own antenna.

Later in the day, the group also held a POTA (Parks on the Air) activation, where additional operators asked for help evaluating their antennas using MATCH.

Growing Interest in Learning

The enthusiasm generated by the event has already led to new plans. The group is organizing their next gathering — an antenna-building workshop, where participants will construct a simple 2-meter J-Pole antenna.

This antenna was chosen because it is compact, efficient, inexpensive, and ideal for beginners. During the workshop, the RigExpert MATCH analyzer will again be used to demonstrate the antenna tuning process.

Tools That Bring the Community Together

Events like this demonstrate how practical tools can help operators experiment, learn, and improve their stations. For this community, the RigExpert MATCH analyzer became more than just a device — it became a key part of hands-on learning and collaboration.

We are grateful to the organizers for sharing their experience and look forward to seeing what they build next.