Getting Started in RTTY
Getting started in the RTTY mode can be confusing and frustrating. Just following instructions is often not successful. It helps to have a clear picture in one’s mind of how […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Technical Articles
Technical Articles
Technical Articles / Weatherproofing and Grounding
How Many, How Long: Advice for Installing Ground or Above Ground Radials
Installing a radial system is a must for any quarter-wave vertical antenna system. Without one, a vertical antenna is only half complete. The radials are the second half of the […]
Technical Articles
Simple Filters from Transmission Line Stubs
In my previous article, I discussed overload from broadcast stations and the filters that could block those strong signals from getting to your radio. In this article, I’ll illustrate a […]
Technical Articles
Five Tips for Successful QRP Operating
QRP, or low-power operating, is one of Ham radio’s fundamental challenges. Can you really make contacts running only five watts or less? Yes, Virginia, you can enjoy a quality ham […]
Technical Articles
Your First Pileup: Techniques for Success
Operating from a rare (or semi-rare) location is one of the greatest experiences in Ham radio. Many operators have spent time trying to work a DXpedition and have also dreamed […]
Technical Articles
Preventing AM and FM Overload
It’s common to experience interference from a nearby broadcast station, including commercial and public safety transmitters. The usual symptom is a continuous stream of distorted audio on all channels or […]
FT8 / Technical Articles
Top 10 Tips for Succeeding in FT8 Mode
I give many presentations and help a lot of Hams get started with FT8 and FT4. I often get asked, “Why am I having trouble making contacts?” and “What can […]
Technical Articles
Finding Your Calling: When and Where Are You Most Likely to Make QSOs?
One of the most enjoyable parts of the hobby is making contacts with other Hams. Finding operators on the air isn’t necessarily a matter of luck or chance. There are […]
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles
What Is an Antenna System?
“System” is a word that gets thrown around a lot. What does it mean from the perspective of an amateur radio operator? Generally, I think of a system as a […]
Technical Articles
Building a Ham Workbench Table
After struggling for years repositioning radios and test equipment at the workbench, I finally found a simple but elegant solution. In a recent YouTube radio repair video, Stefan Steger, DL7MAJ, […]
