How to Choose a Wattmeter
Got Meter? Choosing the Right WattmeterRF inline power meters, or wattmeters, are used by many hams to measure the power flowing from the transceiver to the antenna–and also in the […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Articles written by: Mark Haverstock, K8MSH
Technical Articles
Technical Articles
Making the CI-V Connection
CI-V stands for Computer Interface V (V representing the Roman numeral for 5 ). This is Icom’s name for its rig interface to a computer or to another rig. Other […]
Technical Articles
How to Use RF Gain, Noise Blanker, and Other Transceiver Features to Improve Copy
There will always be some kind of ambient noise on the HF bands. It may be either man-made (QRM) such as pulse noises from vehicle ignitions or natural (QRN) like […]
Technical Articles
Choosing a Coax Switch
When it comes to ham radio, one radio is never enough. The same thing goes for antennas–multiple bands usually mean multiple antennas. Soon, you’ve got a maze of coax connections […]
Technical Articles
Using the Icom IC-705 in the Field
Now that summer is here and the pandemic is winding down, grab some radio gear and head outdoors. It’s the season for portable operations and finally getting out of couch-potato […]
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles
Antenna Traps—A Way to Cope With Limited Space
The downsizing of real estate these days reminds me of Halloween candy. Candy bars used to be big, but now they’ve shrunk to something they call “fun size.” Today’s properties […]
Technical Articles
HAM Radio Tech: How Headphones and Headsets Can Improve Your Copy
Are you tired of spending time on the air struggling to copy the person on the other end of the conversation? Do barking dogs and noisy kids distract you from […]
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles
The Difference Between Antenna Analyzers and Antenna Tuners
Do you need an antenna analyzer or an antenna tuner? These devices are actually different tools for different tasks. They both are used with antennas, but one doesn’t necessarily replace […]
Technical Articles
The Pros and Cons of Using an Amp with QRP Radios
Less is more. QRP (low power operation) is becoming quite popular among hams who take a minimalist approach to amateur radio communications. Some radio amateurs who are licensed to use […]
Products & Product Reviews
Off-Center Fed (OCF) Antenna: Multitalented or Misunderstood?
The Off-Center Fed dipole (OCF)–also called a Windom by many–has received mixed reviews among amateur radio operators. Although thousands of hams use and love these multi-band antennas, some people, including […]
