by Jim Goudie, AF3Z                                         2nd edition, 2021 CW has taken me all over the world; it’s a blast!  It may not be for everybody and it takes some work, but now may be a good … Continue reading Getting Started with the Code

In this multi-part series, we’re going to discuss what tools and gadgets we think are essential for the ham’s toolbox.  For my part, I’ve been a licensed ham and an electrical engineer for enough decades to have seen my share of the excellent, the decent, and the truly ugly when it comes to tools and … Continue reading The Ham’s Toolbox- Part 1: Digital Multimeters- The Hidden Difference

Power Seduction, Part 97   —  by Jim Goudie, AF3Z   This is not part 97 in a long series of articles.  Rather, it’s about how power can be seductive, and how we often ignore this section of Part 97 of the Amateur Radio Service rules: “§97.313   Transmitter power standards.  (a) An amateur station must use the … Continue reading Power Seduction, Part 97 

Please read Part 1 if you haven’t read it yet.  This article picks up where Part 1 left off. A couple of principles: Light travels slower through solids than it does through vacuum or air. Sometimes much slower.  It’s how optical lenses work.  And remember, light and RF are the same thing: electromagnetic waves of … Continue reading So What’s Happening Inside My Coax? Part 2

This article is rather long but it may be worth your time.  If you’re in a hurry, jump to Conclusions. A coax cable is like a steel beam in a bridge: You don’t see anything moving but there is a lot going on inside.  (There is outside, too, but that’s another article.) Coaxial cable or … Continue reading So What’s Happening Inside My Coax?

See the Podcast link below to listen to 100th session!  We had a record number of check ins! Join us Thursday, June 14, 2018 for Session #100 Thursday Night Round Table.  The Host for this Special Event will be W3GMS, Joe.  This is quite a milestone, we are hoping to break a new record for … Continue reading Special Event RT Session #100

Depending on how far you are from the repeater, you may only need a HT to be heard on 985.   Most operators will have more equipment in order to work the low bands and VHF/UHF.  Here are some of the Ham Shacks you will hear on 985. Click Here to see The Ham Shacks … Continue reading Ham Shacks of 985

Drone inspection by Ken WB4AM.  The easy way to get up 100 feet.  What a view!