It Can Still Be Done! Kit
Building is Alive and Well
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Kit building is as old as amateur radio and as
popular as ever. The attraction to kit building comes from the learning
experience of building an electronic project, the pride of knowing how
components work and the money saved by doing it yourself. A longtime kit
builder himself, Kevin shows us that kits for all kinds of radio projects are readily
available today, but that it’s also a fun experience to do with your children
or grandchildren.
Digitally Speaking: The Original
Digital Conversation
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
This month our digital guru goes old school as he
examines the original digital conversation: Morse code. The attraction of CW is
multilevel: it’s a mode available to all license classes, an efficient use of
bandwidth, and a natural for low power DIY ham stations. Furthermore, savvy CW
operators can put together a small, capable station at a fraction of the cost
of voice mode stations. Despite the fact that the Morse requirement for amateur
licenses was dropped in early 2007, CW operating is a popular as ever.
Build a Rugged, Copper Pipe
J-Antenna for VHF-UHF
By Richard Fisher KI6SN
Explore the myths and magic of the J-antenna and
get yourself “de-polarized.” Richard explains that some of the things you
thought you knew about the J-antenna just aren’t right. And, that with a quick
trip to your nearest home-improvement store, you can find all the parts and all
the tools you need to build one of the most popular VHF-UHF antennas for
scanning or amateur radio applications. You’ll even find out how to put this
antenna on your bike for some on-road and off-road bicycle/mobile fun.
TSM Reviews: Manhattan DJ-1997
FTA Satellite Receiver
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
The new Manhattan DJ-1997 receiver is smaller and less
expensive than its predecessor and yet more capable. It goes a long way toward
blurring the lines between traditional cable and satellite TV services and the
new direction consumers are inevitably migrating toward: Over the Top TV. We’ve
seen similar activity with services offered by new TV sets: direct access
through apps to Netflix, Hulu, Pandora and a host of other non-cable/satellite
video and audio services, including direct access to Web content. This is
disruptive technology in the best sense of the word.
The Norden Broadcasts: America’s
Ace in the Hole
By J. Wandres
While British forces in WWII had mounted successful
radio-based propaganda campaigns, the US had no such program until 1942 when the
US Office of Naval Intelligence put together an unlikely trio, which included a
doctor, a lawyer and a Hungarian émigré. They created a fictitious character
named Commander Norden and broadcast what they said was the truth in German
aimed at German warships. But, how successful was the program?
Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Counties Weigh a Combination of Radio System Options
Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Programming Federal Interoperability Channels
Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
US Coast Guard Consolidates HF Services
Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
A Few Easy Digital Catches for the Beginner
HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman
Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Are You Up for the Challenge of
60 Meters?
Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Ramsey AM Broadcast Transmitter Kit: $45 of Pure Radio Fun
Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
The Chromosphere (Continuing our Look at the Sun)
The World of Shortwave Listening
By
Andrew Yoder
Tales of Pirate Radio Woe and Intrigue
The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Spy Stations, Canadian Elections, Central European Crisis and More
Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Marine Radio Technology Sails On
The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Adventures in Through-Ground Radio
Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
From Aristocrat to Royalty: First Look at a Zenith Trans-Oceanic G-500
The Broadcast Tower
By Doug Smith W9WI
Go West, Young Man!
Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
The Modern Underground: Stealth