22 Things You Can Do With Ham Radio
Somewhere above your head, right now, there’s a satellite you could talk through. There’s a balloon sending back weather data. There’s a stranger in Japan who’d be delighted to hear from you.
Amateur radio — ham radio — is the hobby that gets you there. You build the gear, you make the …
ALL ABOUT CONNECTORS
Choosing the right RF connector matters more than it looks. The wrong choice can add loss, raise SWR, let water into your feedline, or simply fail to mate with your gear. This guide compares two of the most common coaxial connectors in amateur and commercial radio — the PL-259 (UHF) and the N Type— and then …
INTERACTIVE BAND PLAN
The ARRL band plan is a PDF you squint at, scroll through, and eventually give up on. The following is the same information made usable and interactive.
Search a frequency or a mode and jump straight to it. Filter by license class to see exactly where your privileges begin and end. Every segment is color-coded by mode, …
Is Broadcast Radio Dead?
It’s complicated, and it starts with relevance.
by Smitty (WB1G)
Having spent 15 years working in radio, in front of and behind the microphone, I am passionate about this topic. So the best place to start is whether radio is still relevant. The simple answer is yes, but limited to a demographic that is aging out. …
Understanding RFI
RFI happens when electromagnetic signals from one device disrupt the normal operation of another. These signals can be intentional (like a radio transmitter) or accidental (like electrical noise).
Common Sources Include:
– Cell Phones & Wi-Fi Routers
– Power Lines & Electrical Motors
– LED Lights & Switching Power Supplies
– Computers, Monitors, USB cables
– Vehicle Ignition …
WHAT IS FIVE NINE (5 9) AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The R-S-T system is used by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, and other radio hobbyists to exchange information about the quality of a radio signal being received. The code is a three-digit number, with one digit each for conveying an assessment of the signal’s readability, strength, and tone. The …