Category: Articles
Antenna gain is a measure of the antenna’s directivity as well as a measure of the antenna’s efficiency. It’s a measure of how well the antenna can take an input power and transform that into an electromagnetic wave going in a specific direction. Antenna gain is not like the gain …
When you broadcast a signal, the microphone creates a current which is sent to the antenna and creates a magnetic field around the antenna. When a voltage is applied, the magnetic field can then create an electric field. The electric field can then induce a magnetic field which can induce …
The ionosphere is the part of the atmosphere where the ions exist and is important to HAM radio enthusiasts because they can use those ions to extend the reach of their radio communications. Knowing the science behind the ionosphere, the frequencies to use and when to use can be an …
In radio, propagation just describes how a radio wave travels and behaves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves and just like light waves are subjected to things such as refraction, reflection, absorption and scattering. There are many kinds of propagation but the type you might be most familiar with is line …
Radio receivers are super important parts of a functioning radio. A radio receiver is what uses the information from the antenna and demodulates the signal turning it into something we can listen to. There are many different types of radio receivers and different types of designs. A direct conversion receiver …
A radio filter is a configuration of electrical components designed to work together to create a circuit that can either reject or allow certain frequencies. There are three different types of filters including the high pass, low pass and band pass. RF filters are used in both transmitter and receivers. …
An amplifier is a circuit with specific components working together to take an input signal and produce an increased version of that same signal. There are many different kinds of amplifiers so for the purposes of the HAM radio article, we will stick to talking about the kinds of amplifiers …
What is an electronic oscillator? It’s an electronic device that produces a sine wave or a square wave. Oscillators are used in transceivers to modulate a signal and are used in receivers to demodulate an incoming signal and to tune the radio to the desired frequency. An easy way to …
Let’s start by defining modulation. Modulation converts data into radio waves by adding information to a carrier signal. A carrier signal is a wave with a steady amplitude of frequency and information is added by changing these parameters. A modulated signal can be thought of as a bus moving people. …
To talk about HAM radio electricity basics, you must know some basics of electricity. If you haven’t already obtained your Technician class license, you’ll need to know the basics to pass the first test and be able to do some math. Electricity begins with current, resistance, voltage and Ohm’s Law. …
Have you ever wondered how exactly a radio wave goes through the air and reaches another station? A radio wave is similar to a wave in the ocean. The important similarities are that they both have frequency and wavelength. The wavelength of a wave would be calculated by determining the …
If you have obtained your Technician, General or Amateur Extra HAM license, you might be wondering about joining your local HAM club. Whether you have experience in your shack or not, there’s no better way to learn than by talking shop with fellow radio enthusiasts. Not all radio clubs are …
When you think of an antenna, you probably imagine a large conductive metal sticking straight up into the air. A loop antenna is basically an antenna that comes back around instead of sticking straight up into the air. It doesn’t matter what shape the loop antenna is. It could be …
CB (or citizens band) radio is very similar to HAM radio although it does come with a few restrictions. Unlike HAM radio, CB is loosely regulated by the government and you do not need a license to operate. CB radio was created in the 1940’s in the United States by …
For many HAM operators starting out, the first step is to obtain a license. If you are good enough, you can take all three tests to obtain the extra license right away. Most of us though will only obtain the Technician license starting out. With a Technician license you will …
SSTV (slow scan TV) is one of the few ways to send and receive images from all over the world via radio. Normal analog TV is an example of fast scan TV. SSTV works similarly to a fax machine where the image is displayed line by line from top to …
Are you an amateur ham radio operator looking to easily find your ITU and CQ zone? Finding your ITU and CQ zone is easy when you have a map showing ITU and CQ zones. You don’t need to search far for them. ITU maps and CQ zone maps allow you …
Still using the old fashion, brass pounding, mechanical paddle? WHY?……. You could be sending code with the 100% reliable TOUCH PADDLE. Model P1PADK is a complete kit of parts and is a touch paddle only. It does not include the electronic keyer chip and associated circuitry. It is physically identical …
DUAL TOUCH PADDLE CIRCUIT CARD plus ELECTRONIC KEYER, with MEMORY And Gold Plated Paddles Mounted on PC Card Completely assembled. No Moving Parts or Contacts to Wear Out No Falsing Superior Response PC CARD IS ONLY 2″ W x 1.25″ D x .6″ H HIGHLY RESPONSIVE WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH * SELF …
AMBIC TOUCH PADDLE plus ELECTRONIC KEYER, with MEMORY Includes a Battery Saver Circuit and Battery Monitor. (Automatic shutdown) Press the “on” button and forget about turning it off. It shuts down by itself after 10 minutes if no paddles are touched. It also tells you when the battery or power source drops below …
TOUCH PADDLE AND ELECTRONIC KEYER …. IN ONE COMPLETE KIT and ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS AVAILABLE WIRED (P1W) AND IN KIT FORM (P1K) All of our products use the highest quality PC boards, with silk screening and solder resist. All kits are thru hole design except model P3SMD. Ultra Lite Touch – No pressure required No …
No Soldering Required DUAL TOUCH PADDLE CIRCUIT CARD Thousand already sold! Just add your own creative conductive metal paddle. No Moving Parts or Contacts to Wear Out No Adjusting Required No Falsing Superior Response ONLY 1.15″ W x .815″ D x .4″ H This small circuit card replaces standard mechanical dual paddles. Use anything …
DUAL TOUCH PADDLE CIRCUIT CARD plus ELECTRONIC KEYER, with MEMORY ON A 2.1″ X 1.2″ PC CARD Ultra Lite Touch – No pressure required No Clicking Sounds – because there is Zero Paddle Movement and NO Contacts Less than 2mA of standby current Use any conductive metal object as you paddles. Be creative!!! Want a key that accurately …
MiniTouch Paddles DUAL TOUCH PADDLES (no electronic keyer) Housed in a 3.5″ x 2″ x 1.5″ case. Weight – Only 4.5 oz with 9V battery Solid Metal Mirror Finished Gold-Plated Paddles. Will not rust, oxidize, or corrode. No Moving Parts or Contacts to Wear Out No Adjusting Required No Falsing Superior Response ONLY 2″ W x 3.5″ D x 1.5″ …
“TOUCH TAPPER” HORIZONTAL PADDLE SET The next generation of Morse code touch paddles has arrived. And it’s fun to use!!! Remember when you were first learning your Morse code and you use tap the code on a desk top with your index finger and thumb? Now you can send code …
DUAL TOUCH PADDLE CIRCUIT CARD plus ELECTRONIC KEYER, with MEMORY Runs Off 9V Internal Battery or 6-12VDC Wall-Wart Ultra Lite Touch – No pressure required No Clicking Sounds – because there is Zero Paddle Movement and NO Mechanical Contacts Less than 3 mA of standby current. That means a 9v battery will last over 300 hours …
DUAL TOUCH PADDLE No electronic keyer, paddles only. Still using the old fashion, brass pounding, noise making mechanical paddle? WHY?……. You could be sending code with the 100% reliable TOUCH PADDLE. a Quiet, Smooth Touch. Read our product reviews on Eham and find out what so many other hams have realized. …
DUAL TOUCH PADDLE CIRCUIT CARD Thousand already sold! Just add your own creative conductive metal paddle. No Moving Parts or Contacts to Wear Out No Adjusting Required No Falsing Superior Response ONLY 1.15″ W x .815″ D x .4″ H This small circuit card replaces standard mechanical dual paddles. …
A QSL card as it applies to HAM radio operations, is a written confirmation of a one-way signal being received over AM, FM, television, or shortwave radio. So what does this denote? Why would you want one? Read on and all will be explained! A Bit of Background If you …
The term DXpedition refers to what is considered to be an ‘exotic locale’ by an amateur radio operator, or HAM radio operator. Another way to think about this, is as a holiday or trip where the end destination in mind is not necessarily visited for its local culture or its …
Many people who have never picked up a police scanner are completely unaware of all the messages that are flying past them at any given time. They are completely oblivious to the fact that, even as they busy themselves with other things, signals being sent to outer space, or discussing …
An automatic packet reporting system is a system used for real-time digital communications, employed amateur HAM radio in particular. However, this is used in a very different way as compared with your typical amateur music station! Likewise, it’s not something you’ll be able to listen in on using a police …
Most of us don’t think of much when we hear the word radio. The radio is what we use to listen to local radio stations – to hear some music and to get the news – often with somewhat poor reception! But this is a very limited and limiting view …
When you work with a two-way radio or another radio, there are two ways that you can use them. One is to simply follow the instructions, press some buttons, and let them do their thing. This is how most of us will use a walkie talkie for instance. The other …
The term homebrew can mean a lot of different things to different people. For instance, in the world of beer, homebrew can literally mean a home brew. That is a beer that has been brewed from home by an amateur. In the indie gaming scene, homebrew is just another slang …
If you are just now exploring the amazing world of amateur radio and marveling at all the different types of signal that you can intercept, then you might find yourself hungry for yet more exciting opportunities. One such fascinating option is maritime mobile. Maritime Mobile – An Introduction Maritime mobile …
Packet radio is an early amateur radio technology that dates back to the early 1980s – a time when a lot of technology was really just finding its feet. Just as many people enjoy listening out for messages via digital police scanners or communicating via two-way radio to create their …
In HAM radio, a special event station is a special operation that will be either in observation or commemoration of a historical event. These have a special 1×1 call sign or a vanity call sign, and they will usually operate for a short time with collectible QSL cards to commemorate …
In this day and age, there are countless different ways to put yourself out there and to share your skills and hobbies with the world. The internet means that practically anyone can become a celebrity and start creating content for a large audience. But this has actually been the case …
When you think of a two-way radio, you likely think of a walkie talkie. And unless you work in an industry where you use business two-way radio – such as construction or security – then chances are you might think of toy walkie-talkies and baby monitors. Thus, you probably think …
Amateur radio direction finding (ARDF) is also referred to as ‘radio orienteering’ and is another form of radio sport. This is a pastime that many HAM radio operators may partake in, and that requires a basic understanding of how two-way radio operates. Sometimes, we might feel as though life is …
In today’s digital world, we are completely surrounded by amazing technologies that help to make our lives easier. The strange thing is that many of us have very little idea of how a lot of this technology works – we just kind of accept it! For instance: do you really …
Automatic Link Establishment, also known as ALE, is a de facto standard used for digitally connecting to HF radio channels. ALE is a feature that is found in nearly any HF radio station, HF being high frequency. This protocol is used in order to rapidly connect and call regardless of …
Decades ago, we discovered that by manipulating ripples through the ionosphere – the electromagnetic field that blankets the entire planet – we were able to send messages back and forth across the planet. Since then, hobbyists (HAM radio), professionals, researchers, and more have found endless fascinating and exciting ways to …
In amateur radio (HAM radio), it can seem as though there is an almost endless number of different terms and jargon, each referring to the many different ways that the hobby can be enjoyed. So what is QRP? Essentially, this is a short hand for reducing powder. The Q is …
Skywarn – sometimes written in all-caps – is a program run by the US National Weather Service with the intention of collecting reports of localized severe weather, which can then be used to help improve forecasting and the issuing of weather watches and warnings. Skywarn is run by a network …
If you are investing in a new two-way radio, or if you are simply interested in the topic from a hobbyist perspective, then you might find yourself wondering what the limitations of this technology are. What kinds of things can you pick up using a radio? What kinds of things …
In order to listen in on HAM radio, all you need is a police scanner or a two-way radio capable of picking up the shortwave frequencies. You’ll need to either know the frequency you want to listen to, or just spend some time searching the airwaves to see what you …
If you own a two-way radio, then you may have noticed that it stops working from time to time, or that the signal is no longer coming through quite as well as it once did. If that is the case, then this suggest that you need to do a little …
Talk-back channels are an exciting and unique discovery when you’re looking at frequencies with a police scanner. Read on to find out more about what these are and why they’re so interesting! When listening to a police scanner, it is always highly exciting wondering what conversation you’re going to stumble …
The IRLP is a closed source project intended to link various amateur stations around the world via VoIP – essentially combining technologies to build a more robust and powerful network. Here, each gateway will consist of a dedicated computer that will run custom software connected simultaneously to the internet and …
Hamfest might sound like an event for meat lovers, but for amateur radio operators, it is of course something far different. Hamfest of course refers to HAM radio. This is amateur radio operation, which can be used in order to broadcast messages to others, or to listen out for signals …
In some ways, becoming a ham radio operator is a little like becoming a wizard. There’s this entire world right under our noses that many of us are completely unaware of! With a police scanner and just a little bit of understanding about how two-way radio works, you can discover …
When it comes to radio jargon, there is an awful lot of terminology to sift through. What is a police police scanner? What’s a trunked radio? What does HAM radio do? If you’re researching all this for the first time, then it can sometimes seem like a daunting task. The …
A radio scanner is a device that allows you to listen in on numerous frequencies and thereby pick up a number of different conversations. A scanner – which can also be referred to as a police scanner – is a device that allows you to tune or scan more than …
A push-to-talk radio is any two way radio that requires the user to push down on a button in order to transmit on their frequency. Push-to-talk is a useful feature as it can prevent radio jams and facilitate smoother communication when using a walkie talkie. This becomes important in emergency …
There are countless cool things you can do with two-way radio. You can use it for a walkie talkie – in order to stay in touch with someone while you are hunting (called a hunting two-way radio), while playing paintball, or generally while partaking in any activity where you will …
An amateur radio operating award is a type of award given to HAM radio operators in acknowledgement of their technical skills. Ham radio is of course a form of amateur radio – a hobby that involves broadcasting to a large area, or listening out for messages across distances. With a …
The amateur radio operating scene is a thriving and highly exciting community that is likely taking place literally under your nose right now! As you read this, countless messages are being transmitted and received all around you – rippling through the electromagnetic fields that are found all over the planet …
Getting into HAM radio can feel a little bit like entering a secret club! You’ll be communicating on channels that only those in the know will be listening to, and you’ll be partaking in a tradition that dates back to pre WW1! Another cool facet of amateur radio, is that …
HAM radio is a form of radio that has a rather interesting history, not to mention a fascinating modern cultural position. In one way or another, HAM radio has been around since the discovery of radio waves by Heinrich Rudolph Hertz in 1888. This is a place where people can …
The world of two-way radio is a complicated one. While the average consumer will simply buy a walkie talkie set and not give much thought to the way it works, or what it does, hobbyists, specialists, and businesses will need to give a lot more thought to what they’re purchasing. …
The word ‘digital’ has somehow become nearly synonymous with modernity, technology, and better performance. These days, we expect everything to be ‘digital’ from our radios, to our alarm clocks. Analog is messy and low-quality. Digital is crisp and new. Right? Wrong! In fact, all digital actually means, is binary. Digital …
Two way radio systems – colloquially referred to as ‘walkie-talkies’ – are useful tools for communicating with another person located within a modest radius (although long range walkie-talkies can work across fairly significant distances). These tools enable us to stay in touch regardless of available cell signal, and in a …
