[Article] Batteries for QRP gear

The March 2020 issue of QST has an article on batteries for QRP rigs that some of you might find interesting. 

Even better is it's a free article so even if you're not an ARRL member you can read it here! http://www.arrl.org/this-month-in-qst

PS: Into low power amateur radio? Minimum QRP is the top-selling manual on the equipment, antennas, operating and strategy of successful QRP operating. It's available for under $US 5 each in electronic form. Or you can get a paperback version. Visit VK3YE Radio Books to find out more. 

Note: No posts here for next week or so due to other commitments. Back later in the month.  

Highlights from Saturday's Melbourne QRP by the Bay

As we mentioned here the other day, three times a year we have an informal QRP outdoor gathering at one of Melbourne's beaches. 

It's a social gathering where we bring  homebrew gear, talk about it and sometimes get on air. 

This last one was one of the biggest ever with 25 in attendance. 

Enjoy this blog post from Paul VK3HN and his video here. 

If there isn't a similar gathering in your area, why not organise one. It's easy! Here's how.

PS: Want to read about antennas? Consider this selection of antenna books. They are affiliate links meaning that I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase.

    

Low cost apartment and stealth antennas (video)

A lot of people say it's hard to get on air due to their living arrangements. They may live in an apartment or unit with no backyard and possibly not even a balcony. Anyway here are some ideas from M0MCX on how you can still get on air from confined spaces. 

PS: Enjoy building antennas? Many hams do. Hand-carried QRP antennas, my first antenna book has been very popular. That concentrated on basic concepts and the lower HF bands. Anyway here's the follow-up. Called More Hand-carried QRP antennas it describes more than 30 antennas and accessories that you can easily build. And there's more of an emphasis on upper HF, VHF and UHF antennas that the previous volume didn't have so much on.

Melbourne QRP by the Bay: Next one in two days!

Melbourne's next QRP by the Bay is in just two days at Chelsea beach.

3pm Saturday 8 Feb near the lifesaving club.

More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/774173379763944/

Here are some past Melbourne QRP by the Bay event videos.

If you go past a Jaycar on the way there drop in to look for my latest book. You can also order online on their website.  Or if you want the ebook get it via Amazon. 

[Video] Interview with Colin Mitchell from Talking Electronics

Have you ever come across the Talking Electronics website? If you haven't you should visit it right after watching this. Although the site layout is a bit of a throwback to the late '90s the content is fantastic. Endless reading for those who love basic electronics and simple circuits.

Before he got on the web he published a magazine with that name in the 1980s & 1990s. It was cheaper than the others and was pitched at beginners. He's also a great raconteur. If you're interested in simple electronics and particularly the publishing and business side of it you really need to watch this interview. 

Speaking of Australian books, here's my latest. It's in Jaycar stores. You can also order online on their website.  Or if you want the ebook get it via Amazon. 

Some bits from Greece

A valve, some variable capacitors, a UHF diode and a circuit. What could it possibly be? Find out as I open this box generously sent by SV1GCS!

Oh, if you're curious about the circuit, it's below.

As it turns out there was a huge underground pirate radio tradition in Greece when it was a dictatorship. There are other circuits of similar transmitters around. If you were going to do experiments these would be better starting points due to safer power arrangements (the above circuit should not be built). Though there will still be frequency drift - a significant consideration now where the FM band is crowded. Especially in countries where 6 metres is 50 - 54 MHz you could easily put it there and not cause any trouble if you were a ham (though watch the harmonics). 

http://www.tubes.rs/pirate-radio-fm-transmitter-el34/

https://www.facebook.com/efialtisFM/photos/a.345141332211572/352569641468741/?type=1&theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC8XU_8krYE

PS: Enjoy building antennas? Many hams do. Hand-carried QRP antennas, my first antenna book has been very popular. That concentrated on basic concepts and the lower HF bands. Anyway here's the follow-up. Called More Hand-carried QRP antennas it describes more than 30 antennas and accessories that you can easily build. And there's more of an emphasis on upper HF, VHF and UHF antennas that the previous volume didn't have so much on.

When should you break in to a contact?

Some hints and tips in this video. Good for people starting out in radio.

More detailed information on making contacts is in my book Minimum QRP. available both as an ebook and in paperback. 

Using a two dollar MP3 digital audio player in amateur applications

A little video from a few years back for those who like playing with small cheap electronics. In this case an MP3 digital audio player module. Watch and find out what uses they could have around the ham shack. 

PS: Want to read about antennas? Consider this selection of antenna books. They are affiliate links meaning that I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase.

    

Some 40m portable operating

A video from a few days ago of portable operating one warm afternoon from the beach.

PS: Enjoy building antennas? Many hams do. Hand-carried QRP antennas, my first antenna book has been very popular. That concentrated on basic concepts and the lower HF bands. Anyway here's the follow-up. Called More Hand-carried QRP antennas it describes more than 30 antennas and accessories that you can easily build. And there's more of an emphasis on upper HF, VHF and UHF antennas that the previous volume didn't have so much on.

QRP ideas from the ARRL

The ARRL makes some free articles, mostly from QST, on its website. They are handily arranged by topic. Here are some ones about QRP or low power amateur radio.

http://www.arrl.org/qrp-projects

PS: Into low power amateur radio? Minimum QRP is the top-selling manual on the equipment, antennas, operating and strategy of successful QRP operating. It's available for under $US 5 each in electronic form. Or you can get a paperback version. Visit VK3YE Radio Books to find out more. 

Australia's own ham handbook available from Jaycar

(a post just for my Australian readers)

Quite a few people have asked about paperback copies of my books. Especially Australians. They're dearer to buy here as Amazon publishing here is ebook only. This has been a particular issue with my Australian Ham Radio Handbook due to its targeted audience. 

Anyway I've got some good news. Australia's own ham radio handbook is now locally available in paperback. So there's no expensive postage from overseas to pay. It's all thanks to Jaycar who now make the book available via their website (Cat No BM2492). 

You can order here, along with any other bits and pieces you need. 

Where does the Australian Ham Radio Handbook fit if you wanted to assemble reasonable collection of books? 

Right at the start is the WIA Foundation Manual. That gets you started. Enough to pass the basic Foundation test. But it's a slim volume limited to the licence syllabus. 

Then there's Ron Bertrand's amateur radio theory handbook. You need that for Standard and Advanced. Solid for knowing more about how electronics and radio work. But not so much a practical manual. Ditto for Fred Swainston's theory book. 

The ARRL Handbook covers a bit of everything with lots of theory and a bit of operating. But the latter is (understandably) US-based. Not so useful for Australia where our licence conditions and frequencies are different. You should buy one anyway (doesn't have to be the latest) especially if you can find them going cheap at a hamfest etc. Also get at least one of their antenna handbooks if you can. 

The gap (for us in VK) is locally relevant practical and operating information. That's where my Australian Ham Radio Handbook comes in. Especially if you're starting out you'd rather it in an easy to refer to paperback as you'll be using it all the time. So this is why I think this book is so significant. 

It's not in the stores yet - that is probably a few weeks away. But there's stocks at their warehouse so an online order will get it to you fastest.