The Ham Radio Blog of HamRadioSecrets.com

The Short Dipole - Coiled Down To Size

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:41:23 GMT

When making a short dipole, one has to accept a set of compromises. This article lists the main ones and how to minimize their negative impacts.

Ham Radio - Amateur Radio Fascinating Secrets

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:17:24 GMT

Ham radio or amateur radio has fascinated generations. This Web site reveals the secrets behind its enduring popularity and usefulness.

Ham Radio - Amateur Radio Fascinating Secrets

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:21:37 GMT

Ham radio or amateur radio has fascinated generations. This Web site reveals the secrets behind its enduring popularity and usefulness.

The Ham Radio HF Antenna For Smaller Real Estates

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:20:40 GMT

No space for a ham radio HF antenna? Here are some HF antennas that require less space, while remaining very effective.

Why Is Ham Radio Still Going Strong

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:33:48 GMT

Have you ever wondered why ham radio still has so many enthusiastic supporters and practitioners in this day and age? I'll have a few answers for you shortly, straight from my heart. Claude - VE2DPE

Ham Radio Sponsor Ads On HamRadioSecrets.com

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:58:01 GMT

Sponsor ads on HamRadioSecrets.com are very affordable. They are rewarding because they are exposed to a steady flow of highly focused visitor traffic.

Ham Radio Sponsorship Policy On HamRadioSecrets.com

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:44:47 GMT

This page clearly states, in simple terms, the straightforward ham radio sponsorship policy on HamRadioSecrets.com.

QS1R SDR Receiver Software Demo

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:37:09 GMT

A short demo and review of the QS1R SDR Receiver software on a Mac.

The Ham Radio Blog of HamRadioSecrets.com

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:47:04 GMT

This is the ham radio blog section of HamRadioSecrets.com where news originating from this site is reported first! Exclusive amateur radio news!

Kiss Your Privacy Goodbye March 1 2012

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:04:34 GMT

That is what Google's impending "privacy" policy means to you! Google could have been open about it. It could have said: "Want to keep total control over your privacy? Simple. Do not use ANY of our services." Or, in other words, Google means: "Want to lose total control over your privacy, use ANY of our services". If you want to know how Google intends to proceed with your personal and private data as of March 1, 2012, then read this about their announcement. http://bit.ly/zzAwUq You can help make Google ask fairly and be open about the consequences to you of their decision concerning their use of your personal and private data. Sign the petition! I did.

Look Who Is Behaving Like A Lid Now!

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:10:05 GMT

Think Your Data Is Safe In The Hands Of Google? Google has announced that, as of March 1, 2012, it will collect and aggregate personal data on each user of any of its services. Google states that it will use our personal data - and the data we generate by using their services (i.e. Gmail, Google Toolbar, Google Search, Android, etc.) to "...Provide, maintain, protect, and improve our services (including advertising services) and develop new services...". Google has already notified everyone that we agree with their policy when we use ANY of their services starting March 1, 2012. If you think that's bad news - and you certainly should - here is something else for you to ponder. Here Are Google's Many Points Of Failure Here is an excerpt from Google's upcoming policy due to be implemented March 1, 2012. "We restrict access to personal information to Google employees, contractors and agents who need to know that information in order to process it on our behalf. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations." From a single point of failure - Google - we will go to multiple points of failure. The "... if they fail to meet these obligations..." is particularly worrisome. Criminal prosecution, stiff fines, jail ... will all be of no consolation to you once your personal data is leaked out or misused by one of Google's contractors or agents, whether unscrupulously or by lack of proper security measures! Think about that. Furthermore ... Google's policy goes on to state that ... "If Google becomes involved in a merger, acquisition, or any form of sale of some or all of its assets, we will ensure the confidentiality of any personal information involved in such transactions and provide notice before personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy." We will NOT be asked. We will simply be provided notice! We will not be able to say no! DO something about that! Protect your privacy. Sign the petition! I did.

Ham Radio Online Increasing Presence

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:08:51 GMT

Ham radio online takes on many forms of expression. Here are the most noticeable ones.

Ham Radio Suppliers Wanted

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:26:30 GMT

Our Web site visitors are looking for reputable ham radio suppliers. Would you care to apply? High visibility available.

Largest Solar Storm Since 2005

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:41:35 GMT

Coronal mass ejection (CME) to reach Earth Jan. 24 at 14:18 UTC. Latest news here http://bit.ly/dlKNHX

Want to do your part?

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:17:00 GMT

HamRadioSecrets.com promoted ham radio to 130,000 visitors in 2011 with these tools.

Ham Radio Site Reorganization

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:44:48 GMT

Please be advised that we have undertaken a reorganization of some of the content of HamRadioSecrets.com. Our goal, in doing so, is to increase the quality of the information we share with you on our site and, ultimately, better serve our constantly growing number of visitors. Some of the information, previously available in PDF files, will be made available again, but in a format easier to update. We will post an update here, as soon as we can, to inform you on how and where to find the information pages you may have bookmarked in the past. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience. We thank you for understanding. 73 de VE2DPE
Claude Jollet
Owner & Editor
HamRadioSecrets.com

SDR XMTR

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:08:42 GMT

Work has begun (specs) on the QS1T (XMTR), the ideal companion to the QS1R SDR receiver.

Ham Radio Sites Should Get Traffic Like This

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:54:34 GMT

Many ham radio sites suffer from lack of traffic. It is a shame because it is so easy to engineer a site to get lots of traffic. Here is how I did it.

Listening To Ham Radio Online

Thu, 12 May 2011 14:50:49 GMT

Listening To Ham Radio Online. Popular topic on my site. I wonder how many listeners do become hams. Are you one? Tell me about it.

QS1R GUI SDRMAXIV Beta Released

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:42:22 GMT

Attn QS1R SDR receiver fans. New software Beta 1 v4.0.0.1 now available here http://bit.ly/dYG8Qo. Enjoy!

Homemade Ham Radio Antennas

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:46:44 GMT

Sources of dependable information on homemade ham radio antennas.

My Ham Radio Web Site Reviews

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:41:07 GMT

My ham radio Web site is getting flattering reviews from fellow amateur radio operators. Here are some of them.

Fighting Off Pirates!

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:29:05 GMT

Pirates are copying our Web site's copyrighted content. We are fighting back. See my post http://bit.ly/enzIqj

Best Wishes For 2011

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:52:49 GMT

It has been a great year for us. May 2011 keep you in good health and determined to make the best of it, yet again. 73 de VE2DPE
Claude Jollet
Owner - Editor
HamRadioSecrets.com

Palm Springs Hamfest 2011

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:35:53 GMT

Tom, AE6WL, announces the Hamfest and Winter Field Day will be held on Jan-29-11. Info on www.desertrats.am. A Special Event Station will operate during the Hamfest on 14.251, 7.240 and 3.672 MHz.

Ham Radio Frequencies | From LF to SHF

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 22:10:36 GMT

Ham radio frequencies are generously allocated in bands that are scattered all over the radio spectrum. Details here.

Ask Yourself Why

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:21:30 GMT

I'm curious. This has has just occurred to me. Why do you, or would you, want a Web site or a blog? Ask yourself that question and write down the answer(s), honestly. You may or may not end up with a short list of reasons. For each of the reasons in your list,

Select the keywords that best represents the reason.
Use the keyword (or expression) to lookup the information related to it here.

Why go through this exercise? Because, whatever you wish to achieve with a Web site or a blog ... I believe you will find information here (link below) that will enable you to exceed your expectations.

Ham Income

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:38:38 GMT

- No ham radio business to promote? Just need some extra income? Try Google Adsense with SBI! Quite a combo. http://bit.ly/fdMzCL

Ham Radio Business Silent Partner

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:35:52 GMT

- Don't limit yourself to a site or blog. Try the SBI proven marketing strategy. http://bit.ly/e4qiCn

The Transmatch - Antenna System Impedance Matching Device

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:45:33 GMT

The transmatch. A near essential accessory for multi-band operation on HF. An often misunderstood ham radio equipment explained in simple terms.

Ham Radio Power Supply Desirable Characteristics

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:21:44 GMT

Before buying a ham radio power supply, here are some important considerations.

T-Network Ham Radio Antenna Tuner Woes

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:00:45 GMT

Did you know that ... Most popular ham radio antenna tuners are T-Networks. Why is that? First they are less expensive to make because they do not require large variable capacitors. Usually, maximum capacitance of 250-350 pF are enough to cover most applications. Second, T-Networks are less of a lightning hazard because they have a variable capacitor in series with the antenna, instead of a coil, therefore no DC connection with the antenna. The big disadvantage of the T-Network is that it is ***very*** inefficient. Oh! Don't get me wrong. You can adjust it to present a non-reactive 50 Ohm impedance to the transmitter (or transceiver). But ... a large portion of the power will be lost as heat within the "T-Network" tuner! (See the ARRL Antenna Handbook if you don't believe me). The "Pi-Network", or the simpler "L-Network", are much more efficient. However, they imply the use of very large capacitance ... in the order of a few thousand Ohms! I will be testing a LDG AT-600Pro Auto-Tuner over the coming weeks (Fall 2010). The AT-600Pro is a "L-Network" type of tuner. It can switch between L-C or C-L configurations to handle high and low antenna system impedance respectively. Banks of discrete fixed capacitors are switched in our out automatically as needed. I nice concept that I am anxious to test on the air. I will let you know how things went in due course. Stay tuned!

The Carolina Windom Antenna - 160m Special by Radio Works

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:33:46 GMT

The Carolina Windom Antenna - the 160m-10m Special version by Radio Works.

Software Defined Radio Bliss

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:46:00 GMT

I just hooked up my QS1R software defined radio (SDR) (by Software Radio Laboratory LLC) to my newly installed Carolina Windom 160 Special (by Radio Works). Man! What a combination. Being able to pick signals out of the background noise like that ... is pure unadulterated bliss! :-)

Making Progress On SDR Receiver Project

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:54:45 GMT

As now have one SDR ham radio receiver operational in the shack. I have a QS1RServer and SDRMAX3.0 working on my MacBook Pro under OS X 10.6.4. I am using Cathy's modified server 2.0.0.8 and SDRMAX3.0 version 1.0.0.22. I also have QS1RServer v2.2.0.4 and SDRMAX3.0 v1.0.0.21 working on an old PC running under Windows XP ... but that box coughs up so much spurious RFI as to make it nearly unusable operationally. The interference just clutters up the spectrum waterfall too much. I suspect that my 18AVT/WB trap vertical just loves to pick up this mess of interference. I will be installing a new Carolina Windom 160 Special today or tomorrow. That should solve a lot of problems ... increase signal strength to the SDR rcvr input AND eliminate vertically polarized interference!. Fortunately, my MacBook Pro is marvelously quiet (puts out NO interference). I am still trying to make QS1RServer v.2.0.0.5 work with SDRMAX3.0 under Linux 9.10. No success yet, but I am getting very kind and timely help from Andrea Montefusco IW0HDV ... so there is hope there too. ;-) I will keep you posted. 73 de VE2DPE - Claude

VE2DPE Ham Radio Operator Story

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:56:43 GMT

Here is how I became ham radio operator VE2DPE. It could be your story too!

The Ham Radio Receiver Of Tomorrow Is Here

Fri, 21 May 2010 22:22:48 GMT

The software defined ham radio receiver is fast becoming the new standard. Here is what the excitement is all about.

Sunspot Cycle 24 - Ham Radio HF DX Tonic

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:27:43 GMT

Sunspot cycle 24 will bring back good ham radio DX on HF. Here is the latest on how and why.

The Carolina Windom Antenna

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:04:59 GMT

The Carolina windom antenna is a vastly improved and much more effective antenna than the old windom of the 1930's. Here is why and how it works.

Dr David Toth VE3GYQ (SK)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:57:02 GMT

The ham radio community has lost one of its most prominent members. Dr. David Toth, VE3GYQ went "Silent Key" (SK) on February 26, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. He was 55. Dr Toth is considered to have played a major role in TAPR's successful participation in the high performance software defined radio (HPSDR) projects. More details here.

New Antenna Project Documentation

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:36:00 GMT

The Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society has made a number of its technical documents available to all. An excellent new source of ideas for antenna related projects and experiments. The documents are in PDF format. You'll find the collection at: http://www.rsars.org.uk/ELIBRARY/docsants.htm Recommended. 73 de VE2DPE

10 Meter Ham Radio Introduction

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:21:18 GMT

10 meter ham radio is known for its spectacular DX when it is open. Sunspot cycle 24 is about to unlock it. Get ready for ham radio at it's finest.

Ham Radio Emergency Communications for Haiti

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:58:05 GMT

For the latest news on how ham radio operators are helping in emergency communications with Haiti, use this page.

Some Ham Radio Sites Get The Signal Out!

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:06:58 GMT

Do you know a lot about some aspect of ham radio? Share it. It's rewarding. Here is how I do it.

PSK31 Frequencies And Related Info

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:00:22 GMT

PSK31 frequencies favored by ham radio operators with some useful related information thrown in.

PSK31 Software On Linux

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:38:52 GMT

Think of PSK31 as more robust than RTTY for weak signal performance. Here is Linux software to take full advantage of this robust digital mode.

APRS Amateur Radio Software On Linux

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:05:10 GMT

Xastir is a highly sophisticated APRS amateur radio software application on Linux. Definitely worth trying. I know you'll like it.

DX Cluster - Linux Client Software

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:07:20 GMT

DX cluster client software on high performance Linux O/S. I use XDX cluster client on Ubuntu Linux. Details here.

Ham Radio Logging Software On Linux

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:53:52 GMT

Ham radio logging software on high performance Linux O/S. I use and recommend the Linux Ubuntu distribution. Details here. 73 de VE2DPE.

Linux Ham Radio Software Growing List

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:09 GMT

Linux ham radio software will delight the ham radio experimenters and operators alike. Linux Open Source software is free and you can even modify it!