Featured Articles
Enhanced Machine Controller Antenna Range (EMCAR)
EMCAR is the Enhanced Machine Controller-based Antenna Range. This set of codes and documentation is intended to assist the interested party in setting up an automated antenna measurement capability (i.e. Antenna Range) using non-specialized hardware and free software. more ...
By Mike Herr, WA6ARA. As a kid in the '60s I hung around my father, WB6MNX, and his ham buddies. The talk in those days was pretty much similar to now, what features their new rig had. But one thing I now note is that each ham had but one rig, yep, just one rig. It was usually a HF rig, and it was used both in the house and in the car. Before the 2 meter revolution everyone, except for the few brave experimenters in the VHF regions, was on the HF bands. But why did most ops have only one rig? The answer is simple economics; radio equipment was expensive back then. more ...
Ham Shack Lightning Protection
By Hal Myers - K4JHM SK. First of all, lets get some basic concepts in mind. The thing that "gets" our equipment is the voltage difference between the various conductors coming into the equipment, not the magnitude of the voltage. more ...
Ten Ways to have the Most Fun in Ham Radio
An op ed by Jim Stafford, W4QO. February 6, 2008.
The Half-Square vs the Loop Skywire
Just what is a 80M full wave horizontal loop? Well, this is sort of like asking who is buried in Grant’s Tomb, isn’t it? It is simply a square loop (it can be about any shape) of wire, about 70 feet long on each side, held up by 4 supports, one on each corner at as high as I can get it. more ...
DIY Homebrew Feature — Electronic Load
by Bob, KI4SBL
Do you ever wonder if those HT batteries are going to last through the upcoming bike race or 10K event? Well, this month's feature will enable you to test those pesky batteries and find out if they will perform, or not! Read on for a little peace of mind. more ...
SWL #1: So you think Sunspots are LOW? Listen to this ...
by Tim, WK4U
[The first in a series on Short Wave Listening.]
In the morning, after you eat breakfast, how far can you communicate on 40 meters? ... What if I said you CAN hear signals from thousands of miles away on 7 MHz. Would you believe me? more ...
SWL #2: Is there DX at lunch time?
by Tim, WK4U
People ask, is it possible to hear anything interesting on short wave radio at lunchtime? Does short wave radio even work during the daytime? Actually yes and yes. more ...
SWL #3: Welcome to the WORST time for SWL listening
by Tim, WK4U
Yep, 4pm is probably the worst time to hear broadcast stations on short wave. Even worse than lunch time! Some of the North American pirate radio stations start broadcasting about this time. more ...
SWL #4: It's getting dark for shortwave in Atlanta — 8pm
by Tim, WK4u
The gray line, also known as the terminator (I'll be baaack) is practically here. Do you know we can use the gray line to communicate (or hear other stations) much easier than normal? more ...
SWL #5: It's midnight. Do you know where your radios are?
by Tim, WK4u
While it's midnight here in Atlanta, it's only 9pm on the West coast. Many folks are still awake in North America. Some stations are still broadcasting our way. more ...
The 40M Double Zepp
by Jim, K4DLI SK
There were many new and somewhat unfamiliar antennas used at this year’s NFARL Field Day. One of these was the one for the CW station. This antenna is basically two 5/8 wave antennas end to end. more ...
