Amateur radio antennas, circuits, techniques and related topics. By Peter Parker VK3YE/AK3YE.
Newer material appears at https://vk3ye.com and https://youtube.com/vk3ye .
A while ago I picked up this 1970s transceiver from a local hamfest. I didn't know at the time but it was already converted to 2m with a few useful frequencies included. This video tells you a bit more about it:
OK, this is a bit of an obscure topic. It's about the connection of trimmer capacitors. Although they are nominally non-polarised, I reckon there is a good and a better way to connect them. Watch the video and find out.
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A mains power supply is a good project for the shack. While switch-mode supplies are cheap and light, there's still much to be said for the quiet and clean linear supplies that use a heavy tranformer, rectifier diodes and a solid regulator. However good construction technique is essential for safety and performance. This video is a look inside one I built.
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Continuing on from yesterday's 'back to basics' theme, here's a way of testing the RF properties of insulated materials you might use in antenna construction. This is important because the wrong material may detune the antenna and compromise its performance.
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Being able to measure inductance, capacitance and reactance can teach you a lot about the behaviour of capacitors and inductors at various frequencies. You might enjoy this video tutorial I put together last year.
I'm not a big QSLer. It's years since I got one for a contact. But here's a very special one that came in the post. It was for a 2m FM contact. Michael had climbed Mt Donna Buang (or at least its tower), north-east of Melbourne while I was using an ancient carphone.
The card is special too. Hand done. I'm honoured!
PS: Do you sometimes come across terms that you're unfamiliar with? The Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary can help. Available in both ebook and paperback it's great value. Find out more here.
I was intrigued but hadn't actually tried one with 50 ohm coax feedline.
Now I have. I built one for 2m. It's very light, being two dowels with wires between them. That allows it to be held high on a fishing pole. I had some good results on 2m WSPR as you can see from the video below.
PS: I have written five books on amateur radio topics. They are available in electronic and paperback form (most countries). Ebooks are under $US 5 each. Find our more here or follow VK3YE Radio Books on Facebook.
It's still summer in the northern hemisphere. You might be enjoying some good weather. Plus enhanced propagation on 2m and 70cm. This video describes a folding 2 element 144 MHz beam that you can take anywhere and set up when you want some long distance contacts.
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PS: Enjoy these well-reviewed books on various amateur radio topics. They're available for under $US 5 each in electronic form. Or you can get them in paperback. Visit VK3YE Radio Books to find out more.
Sometimes you can try lots of times, the station on the other end is patient, but no matter what you can't get your callsign across correctly. It might be one letter or several. You're just about to give up, maybe hoping conditions would improve so you can call later.
While Morse is no longer a requirement to be on HF, many amateurs still know it. And that can be useful even if you don't have a key. In this video I explain using Morse with your mouth to get your callsign across.
Have you ever resorted to unconventional ways to get your callsign across? What were they? I'd love to hear. Please leave them in the comments below.
PS: Enjoy these well-reviewed books on various amateur radio topics. They're available for under $US 5 each in electronic form. Or you can get them in paperback. Visit VK3YE Radio Books to find out more.
The Telstra Museum video I featured a few days ago aroused some interest. Especially amongst amateurs who used to work for Telstra. For those who wish to relive the unforgettable cadences of telephone exchange equipment, here are some sounds I collected from the museum.
PS: Do you sometimes come across terms that you're unfamiliar with? The Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary can help. Available in both ebook and paperback it's great value. Find out more here.
