Every now and then somebody asks the list for antenna suggestions. Quite often these people asking are beginners who are afraid of making the wrong choice. In order to help QRPers choose antennas wisely I have compiled a few “rules of thumb”. As with any rules of thumb, these are general and there are some… Continue reading Antennas: Some Rules of Thumb for Beginners
Month: June 2021
A Crappie Portable Antenna
“Are you going to use this for fishing or ham radio?” asked the sporting goods salesman. “I’m a fisherman,” I said, “but this is for ham radio.” “Well,” he said, “I’ve sold lots of these, and I haven’t sold one yet for fishing.” Obviously I’m not the first to use a telescoping crappie pole for… Continue reading A Crappie Portable Antenna
The CW Decoder Program – A Historical View
I’m Grant, WD6CNF. I joined the NORCAL QRP Club about a year ago and started to attend the monthly get together at the California Burger in Pleasanton, CA. Many club members were displaying their QRP, Keyer, and regenerative receiver kits to other hams. I though this was a good way to exchange technology and to… Continue reading The CW Decoder Program – A Historical View
Yaesu FT-4XR Review
Yaesu is one of the best radio companies in the world for good reason, and the Yaesu FT-4XR is proof that you don’t have to overpay to get a high-quality, reliable 2-meter HT (Handheld Transceiver). This rugged little radio can take plenty of abuse and keep on truckin’, and has a powerful transmitter, great speaker,… Continue reading Yaesu FT-4XR Review
Icom IC-V86 Review
If you’re looking for an affordable ham radio handheld transceiver (HT) with a durable design and a surprising amount of power and features, the Icom IC-V86 may be a worthy addition to your radio collection. With a chunky, solid construction, up to 7W of radio output, and a loud, punchy speaker with 1500 mW of… Continue reading Icom IC-V86 Review
Yaesu VX-6R Review
If you’re ready to graduate from single-band radios and dual-band radios to tri-band radios, the Yaesu VX-6R is an excellent choice as your next HT (handheld transceiver). It’s a good choice for both amateurs and professionals, and it’s particularly great for outdoor use due to its weatherproof, durable design. Good Tri-band design – You can… Continue reading Yaesu VX-6R Review
Kenwood TH-K20A Review
If you want a durable, compact, and reliable handheld transceiver (HT) to add to your ham radio collection, the Kenwood TH-K20A is an excellent choice. It may not be as feature-rich as some of its more expensive counterparts, but it’s a great choice for new or intermediate ham radio enthusiasts who don’t want to spend… Continue reading Kenwood TH-K20A Review
Kenwood TH-D74A Review
It’s not cheap, but the Kenwood TH-D74A is a great option for serious ham radio enthusiasts who need wide-band connectivity, a durable design that can hold up to all weather conditions, and unique features like a built-in GPS. If you’re looking for an HT (handheld transceiver) that’s feature-rich and is built to last, you’ll be… Continue reading Kenwood TH-D74A Review
Yaesu FT-2980R Review
If you’re looking for a reliable, sturdy, and powerful ham radio for use on the 2-meter band, the Yaesu FT-2980R is an excellent choice. It combines 80 watts of transmitting power with an ergonomic, durable design, and convenient features like NOAA weather alerts and over 200 memory slots. Good Durable design – The Yaesu FT-2980R… Continue reading Yaesu FT-2980R Review
Yaesu FT-70DR Review
Looking to get a new portable ham radio that combines great features with an attractive price? If so, the Yaesu FT-70DR is probably an excellent choice. It’s compact and provides both FM and C4FM Digital operation, with a unique Automatic Mode Select (AMS) function that switches between these modes automatically. It’s also durable and is… Continue reading Yaesu FT-70DR Review