People Always Want Things They Can't Get: The Myth of the 'Perfect Signal'

Amateur radio is a funny hobby sometimes. There’s this never-ending pursuit of the “perfect signal” — you know, the one where your audio is crystal-clear, your signal cuts through pileups like a hot knife through butter, and every report you get back is a glowing 599. But here’s the thing: perfection in ham radio is as elusive as, well, an actual unicorn. And even funnier? You don’t need perfection to have a blast or to make great contacts.

I’ve got firsthand experience with this. As a high schooler with next to no income, I don’t exactly have the budget to splash out on the latest radios or fancy antenna setups. I’ve seen people spend thousands chasing that dream of the ultimate station — delta loops strung across their backyards, gleaming modern transceivers with more colours on the screen than a Christmas tree. And yet, here I am, happily racking up contacts with gear that’s, let’s say, a bit more “creative.”

Take my coil-loaded whip, for example. It’s not much to look at, just a little vertical antenna running digital modes through my trusty QMX+, but it’s an absolute workhorse. Then there’s my end-fed random wire, coiled around a fiberglass pole and hooked up to my (very repaired) IC-756. Is it the most efficient setup? Probably not. Did I make it myself to save money? You bet. And does it work? Oh, absolutely. I’ve made contacts across the globe with these humble antennas, regularly reaching into Australia and even Europe.

It’s funny how we sometimes convince ourselves we need all the best gear to enjoy this hobby. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with upgrading your setup or experimenting with new equipment — that’s part of the fun! But at the end of the day, it’s not the gear that makes the contact; it’s you. Your creativity, your patience, and your willingness to try something different are what get you those QSOs.

Honestly, I’ve come to appreciate the challenge of working with less. It pushes you to think outside the box, to really learn the fundamentals of antennas, propagation, and station setup. When you’re working with a homemade EFRW or a small whip, you can’t brute-force your way through a pileup with sheer power. You have to rely on skill and timing, and there’s something deeply satisfying about that.

And don’t get me wrong — I get why people want the perfect signal. There’s a certain allure to imagining your voice or your CW slicing through the static like some kind of DX superhero. But the irony is, I’ve made more meaningful contacts with my bargain-bin setup than some people do with their shiny new rigs. It’s proof that good operating habits and a little ingenuity will always beat throwing money at the problem.

I don’t think anyone I know really gets why I enjoy doing things so cheaply (and I really do enjoy making these solutions to problems), but I think some get the appeal of doing more with less. It’s kind of like life: people always want the flashy, perfect thing, but once you come to terms with the fact that it’s unrealistic, you become content with what can be done with limited resources.

So, to anyone out there chasing the myth of the perfect signal, I say this: don’t let imperfection hold you back. Get on the air with whatever you’ve got, learn as you go, and have fun. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about being perfect — it’s about making those connections, one QSO at a time.