Amateur Radio Blog
When you first see an ionogram, it can look quite difficult to read. With all those numbers, lines, and colored dots, you may not know where to start. So here is my guide to understand what an ionogram tells you and how to use it for HF ham radio communication. Continue reading How to read an ionogram
It’s one of the most frequently asked questions on forums, in Facebook groups, and at gatherings: Which coaxial cable is best for my antenna installation? The answer is that many types of coaxial cables are good by default; it just depends on what you expect from them. Do you want Continue reading Which coaxial cable should I choose?
If you already have 100 watts and 200 watts PEP output with the Yaesu FTDX10 and TS-480HX respectively, why would you still buy a 300-watt amplifier? The answer lies in full duty cycle modes like FT8 and RTTY. Both modes demand a lot from a transceiver’s final stage, something you Continue reading Review of the RM Italy BLA 350 Plus Amplifier
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. Listen to this article 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?