Exploring the Mysteries of Effective Radiated Power (ERP)
By Richard Fisher KI6SN
Why is it that some amateur stations you hear on the high frequency bands sound like they are international broadcasting stations? Sure, some may be running the full “legal limit” but many claim to be running just a few hundred watts. The secret is in their antenna—the higher the gain, the greater the Effective Radiated Power (ERP). This month Richard shows us that not only antenna gain but transmission mode has a lot to do with how big your signal sounds on the air and it doesn’t even require a lot of higher math to understand.
APRS and Other Related Digital Communications—Part II
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
As a follow-up to Part 1, which appeared in the August 2018 issue of TSM, this month Cory takes a look at some of the interesting digital modes available that are used for more than simply communicating between stations. While packet radio may seem like a relic of the 1980s and 90s, it’s still widely used in a variety of applications—including communicating through the International Space Station. Cory shows us how this is done and what kind of equipment you need to do it—hint: it’s not all expensive gear with a steep learning curve and you don’t have to have a ham ticket to monitor the action.
HF Transmitter Hunting using KiwiSDRs and TDoA
By Tony Roper
The proliferation of the globally connected and remotely operated KiwiSDRs (software defined radios) has proved a boon to shortwave listeners the world over. It’s also providing an intriguing platform for high-frequency transmitter hunters. Where are those numbers stations originating from? What is the location of those Over-the-Horizon Radar installations causing havoc on the band? Longtime HF sleuth (and professional Air Traffic Controller), Tony Roper, a regular contributor to TSM walks us through the process of using these convenient radios to help answer these age-old shortwave questions.
Winter Shortwave Reading: TSMReviews the Top Three Shortwave Guides
“Klingenfuss 2019/20 Guide to Utility Radio Stations” and “2019 Shortwave Frequency Guide”
Reviewed by Bob Grove W8JHD
This year Joerg Klingenfuss celebrates his 30thanniversary of publishing his “Guide to Utility Radio Stations” and his “Shortwave Frequency Guide.” Both publications have become indispensable guides to radio hobbyists around the world.
Gayle Van Horn’s “Global Radio Guide”
Reviewed by Ken Reitz KS4ZR
This year marks the debut of Gayle Van Horn’s “Global Radio Guide,” a 456-page compendium of global broadcasting as an e-book available only in Kindle format. The Global Radio Guide replaces her very successful “International Shortwave Broadcasting Guide.”
“World Radio Television Handbook”
Reviewed by Gayle Van Horn W4GVH
The 73rdedition of the World Radio Television Handbook is a wealth of vital information for any radio or television hobbyist and remains the most comprehensive exemplary reference book and a must-have for your listening post.
Scanning America
By Dan Veeneman
Nevada Shared Radio System
Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Hiding in Plain Sight: Federal Communications Systems
Milcom
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW
Monitor’s Guide to NAS Whiting Field and Training Wing Five
Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman
Cuban and Russian “Numbers” Continue
Shortwave Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman
VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Space and Near Space Communications
Digitally Speaking
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
Double Vision
Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
New Year, New Milestone, New Tidbits
Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
AIR in DRM and Understanding RDS
Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
State of the Union, er…High Frequencies (An Outlook for 2019)
The World of Shortwave Listening
By Jeff White, Secretary-Treasurer NASB
European SW DXers Meet in Slovakia and Austria
The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
WRNO’s Powerful Return; WRMI’s International Programming: BBC Lineup
Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Snow, Ice and RF
Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Part 15: Radio as You Like It
Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Stealth: Fighting Antenna Oppression