Amateur Radio Blog
One of my long-term experiments involves receiving on HF. Transmitting on these bands works well with a Cobweb antenna for 10m to 20m and a wire with a CG-3000 automatic tuner for 30m to 160m. Reception in my densely populated area on the lower bands is challenging, often facing up Continue reading Reception comparison: vertical vs. horizontal loop
If you are a radio amateur or wish to become one, and local regulations do not allow you to place antennas outside your home, don’t panic, because there are several solutions. There are stealth antennas, of which the flagpole and metal gutter are perhaps the best known. But even if Continue reading Tips for ham radio antennas in an attic
In September 2023, I wrote a review about the 7-band Cobweb antenna manufactured by AWK in Poland. This symmetrical, or balanced, antenna is fed with asymmetrical, or unbalanced, coaxial cable. To prevent the coaxial cable from becoming an active part of the antenna, it is necessary to place a 1:1 Continue reading Replacing the 1:1 balun for a better performing Cobweb antenna
It’s perhaps the most frequently asked question by novice amateur radio operators. I passed my exam, obtained my license, and now I need advice on what equipment I need to acquire. In this article, I’ll create a kind of shopping list for you to get started. Ambitions and license conditions Continue reading Chosing ham radio equipment as a newbie
Upon request, I build 1:1 baluns (aka common mode chokes) for other amateur radio operators. I often receive questions about the maximum power at which the balun can be used. In response, I provide the maximum load for use in SSB mode. I do this for a reason, as there Continue reading Understanding PEP power and Duty Cycle in amateur radio
For more than eight years I have been battling manmade noise, or QRM. In this, I am not alone. The entire ham radio world is experiencing a rapid increase in manmade noise. The result of the many electrical devices used in the home. From phone chargers to LED lights and Continue reading Using AI to eliminate noise in a radio signal
Past few years I have been building common mode chokes, 1:1 baluns aka 1:1 ununs on request. One of the questions asked by fellow hams is where to install it, which depends on the type of antenna. Then the ‘counterpoise’ enters the story and why certain antennas need one. So Continue reading Why does an antenna require a counterpoise?
The space available for an HF antenna at my location is very limited. The plot where I live is only 5 meters wide. If you want an HF antenna that covers the 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10-meter bands, you quickly end up with an antenna like a Cobweb. I Continue reading Review of the 7-band AWK Cobweb antenna
It seems like some kind of magic object, the 1:1 balun. Some say it can solve many antenna problems. It could turn a bad SWR into a good SWR. Increase antenne bandwith. Reduce interference in reception. Prevent RFI that causes interference to electrical devices at your neighbors and your own Continue reading Why does an antenna need a 1:1 balun?
You often hear about it and it is a hot topic on forums, repeaters and club gatherings. I have interference (RFI) on my equipment or that of my neighbors caused by my own radio signal. What can I do about it? First of all, the best strategy is to tackle Continue reading How to prevent RFI caused by EndFed, vertical and dipole antennas
Because of the very limited space for antenna placement, 20 square meters at most, I have experimented a lot with different antennas for transmitting and receiving over the past few years. Most important for me is the performance on the 10 meter to 20 meter band. For those bands, I Continue reading The Cobweb vs Rybakov vertical antenna part 1
It has been around for a long time, but is only used on a small scale in the ham radio world; diversity reception. This is a pity, because diversity reception not only offers the possibility to reduce QSB (fading). With diversity you can also eliminate QRM (manmade noise) very effectively. Continue reading Getting rid of QRM with diversity receive mode