Redwood Empire DX Association
A DX and Contest Minded Amateur Radio Club Serving the California Coast North of the Golden Gate Bridge
G4WIF End Fed Half Wave Antenna
Antennas/End-Fed
Opting for a visually appealing inverted L configuration, G4WIF anchors the End Fed Half Wave antenna to an old clothes line pole, seeking cost-effectiveness in their endeavor. Despite initial misconceptions about transformer components, a £7.95 investment in a T240-43 toroid and DIY mounting container resolves the issue. Reflecting on commercial alternatives, G4WIF's homemade solution proves both economical and sufficient for their amateur radio needs.
DIY EMC/RFI Mains Filter for a Clean Shack
Technical Reference/Radio Frequency Interference/Noise Reduction
Utilizing snap-on ferrite cores and practical insights, the author enhances their shack's cleanliness against electromagnetic interference. With meticulous experimentation and installation, they improve noise levels across HF bands, reflecting on the effectiveness of their filter in minimizing common-mode disturbances. Updates underscore ongoing refinement and cautionary advice for optimal filtering and radio reception amid changing RF environments.
Boondock Echo 2 way ham radio recorder
Software/Audio Recorders
Boondock Echo offers a revolutionary communication experience with an internet-backed recording and playback device for two-way radios. It ensures clear, reliable communication in remote or challenging conditions. Key features include real-time recording, internet connectivity, seamless integration, playback flexibility, rugged design, and a user-friendly interface. Services include product training, hardware maintenance and repair, customization, and regular firmware updates for optimal performance.
ARRL Audio News February 9, 2024
ARRL Audio News February 9, 2024
California Storms: Amateur Radio is Ready
Southern California continues to feel the effects of a significant rain event that began last week, bringing record rainfall, landslides, and hurricane-strength winds. The heavy rain is the result of two atmospheric rivers, referred to as "Pineapple Expresses" because of their origins near Hawaii. Nearly half a year's worth of rain has fallen in two days. Since Sunday, February 4, areas in Los ...
Amateur Radio Goes to High School in New York City
Staten Island Technical High School is the first New York City school to receive a grant from ARRL. ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, said ARRL is working with the school in several ways. "We are working with them to build and equip an amateur radio station, to test and license students, and to put [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)] kits in the cl...
World Radio Day
World Radio Day 2024 will be on February 13, and this year's theme is, "A Century Informing, Entertaining and Educating." World Radio Day was first celebrated in 2012, following its declaration by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference. It was subsequently adopted as an International Day by the United Nations General Assembly. Amateur rad...
Exploring the Spectrum From HF to UHF Frequencies
Propagation/Beginner's Guide
During radio's early days, high frequencies were under 30 MHz due to technical limitations. As understanding grew, components improved, allowing for higher frequencies like VHF and UHF up to 3 GHz. The HF band's long wavelengths provide unique propagation challenges influenced by solar activity. VHF and UHF bands face diffraction and reflection issues but offer diverse applications, from amateur radio to 5G and GPS technologies.
CB0ZA Robinson Crusoe Isl DX Pedition
DX Resources/DX Peditions/2024 DXpeditions
Robinson Crusoe Island DXpedition February 10-24, 2024 Grid Square FF06 – IOTA SA-005
Building an Enhanced APRS IGate with Debian 12 and Raspberry Pi
Technical Reference/APRS
The guide outlines necessary components, including a 2m FM analog radio, USB audio adapter, and Raspberry Pi. Building a cable to connect these elements is assumed, as is knowledge of Raspberry Pi OS installation.
Tuscaloosa Amateur Radio Club
The hams of Tuscaloosa have been serving the community since 1931
Innovative 2m to HF Converter
Technical Reference/Transverters
Ulrich L. Rohde N1UL conceived an outstanding 2m to HF receiving converter with specific requirements, including 144-148MHz to 28-32MHz coverage, low noise, high IP3, and a unique modular design. The design decisions emphasize modularity, absence of preselection, stability, and a passive mixer, showcasing Rohde's distinctive approach.
Antennas for QRP Operation
Operating Modes/QRP
Antennas for low-power operation resemble those for 100W use. Minor adjustments, like capacitor voltage ratings, may apply, but basic principles persist. Portable antennas, notably Backpack Antennas for weight-conscious setups, hold relevance beyond QRP. While some antennas function acceptably at higher power, efficiency issues arise at QRP levels. Testing antennas at 100W exposes weaknesses, particularly in tuners, crucial for efficient QRP operation.
Adapting Standard Headset Mic for Yaesu FT-8900
Technical Reference/Mic wiring
Explore the process of creating a custom adapter for the Yaesu FT-8900 radio with a non-standard mic port. The article guides users through understanding the reversed pin-out of the RJ-12 connector on the 8900, providing a detailed circuit for adapting the voltage for electret-based mics. With a list of required parts and construction tips, this DIY project ensures seamless compatibility with standard electric headset mics.
Budget-Friendly 5-Element Quad Antenna Design
Antennas/2M
Constructing a 5-element quad antenna, the author aimed for low cost and simplicity, resulting in an effective design with 11 dBi gain and SWR of 2:1 or better across the 2-meter band. Using wood and dowels, the antenna costs under $8 and takes less than two hours to build with basic tools.
The model predicts excellent performance, confirmed by ARRL Lab measurements. Practical field results demonstrate improved communication, even in simplex mode.
Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2405
ARRL Audio News February 2, 2024
ARRL Audio News February 2, 2024
Heil Ham Radio Donates Equipment to W1AW
The Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW, at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, has received a generous donation of equipment from the Heil Ham Radio division of Heil Sound. The company's founder, Bob Heil, K9EID, is a pioneering audio engineer and avid radio amateur. At his direction, the company donated four Heil Pro Set Elite HC-6 headsets, three Heil Pro Set 3 stereo headphones...
ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Winterfest
Newly licensed ham Charlie Hartley, KF0OOP, 18, is one of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® newest members. He's majoring in sound engineering at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and is an accomplished musician, playing both bass guitar and the upright string bass. Ham radio, live sound, and music run in his blood; he's the grandson of Bob Heil, K9EID. Charlie had been ...
The First Amateur Radio Station on the Moon, JS1YMG, is Now Transmitting
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully landed their Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on January 19, 2024. Just before touchdown, SLIM released two small lunar surface probes, LEV-1 and LEV-2. LEV-2 collects data while moving on the lunar surface, and LEV-1 receives the data. The JAXA Ham Radio Club (JHRC), JQ1ZVI, secured amateur radio license JS1YMG for LEV-1, which...
GMA Maps
Operating Aids/Maps
GMA provides an on-line google-map based map with overlays for sota, iota, wwff, lighthouse, mills
Portable Efficiency: Building a KX3 Go-Box
Technical Reference/Ham Radio Go Kits
A Go-box streamlines radio setup for temporary operations. Detailed guidance is provided on constructing a KX3 Go-box based on Radioset-go products. Emphasizing cooling, it incorporates silent fans and a temperature-controlled system. Wiring complexities, power considerations, and battery installation are covered. The Go-box offers a neat solution for field days and temporary setups, improving the efficiency and portability of the Elecraft KX3.
Budget-Friendly QRP T-Tuner and SWR Bridge
Antennas/Tuners
In the pursuit of an affordable matching and SWR indication solution for the Pixie-based transceiver system this T-Tuner and SWR bridge unit, while not groundbreaking, proves to be a cost-effective performer. With real-world impedance testing yielding a worst-case loss below 0.9 dB, the unit efficiently matches all bands on 80 M to 10 M ham bands, making it a valuable addition to the QRP system.
A Guide for Seamless FT8 Operation - Time Sync
Software/Time
N6CTA provides a comprehensive tutorial on manually configuring NTP synchronization for Debian Linux, ensuring accurate system time for FT8 and other amateur radio modes. The guide covers updating the system, installing and enabling NTP, verifying the timezone, and using the iputils-clockdiff tool for precise time comparison. A script is included to check and sync system time, enhancing the performance of synchronous modes like FT8.
Emergency ham radio frequencies
Operating Aids/Radio Spectrum
These frequencies have been adopted into the bandplans of each IARU region to be a focus for emergency communications in their areas. They are not absolute frequencies but instead are centres of activity and emergency communications may be found around 20kHz from these centres. Some countries may maintain other emergency frequencies in their own bandplans due to local requirements, QRM etc
Building a Robust PL519 Tube HF Amplifier
Technical Reference/Amplifiers/HF Amplifiers
his article explores the construction of a PL519 tube amplifier, utilizing Ulrich L. Rohde N1UL's insights. Focusing on a modest 25W continuous output, the design ensures robustness with forced air cooling. The detailed breakdown covers input matching, screen grid voltage generation, bias adjustment, anode power supply, heater power supply, and monitoring circuitry, providing valuable guidance for ham radio enthusiasts.
Ham Radio Frequencies
Amateur radio enthusiasts utilize specific frequency bands allocated globally for communication. From Low Frequency (LF) to Very-High Frequencies (VHF), each band has distinct characteristics and propagation conditions. Frequency allocations vary by country and ITU region. Understanding band usage and regulations is crucial for effective communication among ham radio operators worldwide.
Mapping the Australian Radio Landscape
Ham Radio/Demographics
Discover a comprehensive solution for mapping Australian ham radio entities using data from the ACMA Public Register. This tool, developed in Delphi 7, generates KML files for Google Earth, showcasing repeaters, beacons, and operators across different prefixes. While respecting privacy regulations, the files provide valuable insights into the amateur radio landscape.
Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2404
Build an Arduino CW Decoder, Enhancing Icom IC-7300 RX Antenna, Understanding Impacts of 75-ohm Devices in 50-ohm Systems, A Compact and Stealthy Field Portable Antenna, Arduino QRP Transceiver: DIY Success on HF Bands, IC705 GoBox: A Portable Windows-Based Solution for All-Digital Modes, Enhancing Frontend Performance with Optimized Band Pass Filters, PR0T Log Online, Yaesu FT-817 Audio Enhancement: Heathkit-inspired Homebrew Project, RF-Quiet Solar PV for Ham Radio
Yaesu ATAS-120A Portable Tripod: Enhancing Efficiency
Antennas/Portable
In this post by N6CTA, discover the conversion of the Yaesu ATAS-120A screwdriver antenna for portable use. The author details the creation of two sets of radials, 16 and 32 in 16ft lengths, aiming to optimize the efficiency of ground-mounted antennas. Additionally, insights are shared on attaching male quick disconnect blade tabs, with potential plans for a radial plate kit.
AAN-2024-01-26
ARRL Audio News January 26, 2024
Dr. Philip Erickson, W1PJE, New Director of MIT Haystack Observatory
ARRL Member and active radio amateur Dr. Philip Erickson, W1PJE, is the new director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Haystack Observatory. The prestigious scientific appointment is the continuation of a radio interest that began in his youth. "I started as a shortwave listener in the mid-1970's as a middle school student. So, in some sense, I was always fooling with antennas i...
YLISSB Celebrates 61 Years On the Air
February 8, 2024, marks the 61st anniversary of the YL System, now known as the YL International Single Side-band System (YLISSB), founded by Vera Mayree Tallman, K4ICA (SK), in 1963. Tallman received her first license in 1956 and later earned her General-class license. Though the system's name includes "YL," the amateur radio term for "young lady," membership is open to both women and men. YL...
FT 1000MP MK V and Keyclicks
Technical Reference/Key Clicks
YaesuFT1000MK V stands out with improved close-spaced SSB transmit performance, reversing a trend seen in other modern radios. Featuring a class-A mode, it offers clean HV finals when kept out of ALC. However, two significant flaws persist: the noise blanker causes receiver IM distortion, and the transmitter lacks wave-shaping on CW, resulting in pronounced keyclicks. Preliminary tests reveal strong keyclicks +1kHz and -1kHz, prompting a combined modification to address both issues.
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