echolink

Echolink: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction Echolink is a VOIP (Voice Over IP) application that allows amateurs to connect to one another using the internet. It is similar to IRLP but allows users to connect via either radio or computer. … Read More

Screwdriver antenna

What Is Screwdriver Antenna?

A screwdriver antenna is a vertical antenna with a remotely-adjustable center-loading coil. Intended for mobile operation, it may be adjusted to cover any band from 10m to 75m. The antenna takes its name from the use of a … Read More

QSL

QSL: Everything You Need to Know

QSL means either “do you confirm receipt of my transmission” or “I confirm receipt of your transmission”. It can also mean “please send me a QSL card”. QSL is a Q-code. QSL Cards A QSL card … Read More

QRN

QRN: Everything You Need to Know

Strictly speaking, QRN means “noise from natural sources” as opposed to QRM which means “man-made noise”. The abbreviation QRN is often used in general terms to mean any noise that interferes with the propagation or … Read More

QRSS

QRSS: Everything You Need to Know

QRSS is a CW mode in which the receiver bandwidth is drastically reduced and the rate at which code is sent is slowed beyond that which would normally be readable by ear. It is named for QRS, … Read More

Gain

What is Gain?

Gain compared to a half wave dipole – dBD The gain of an antenna is the relative increase in radiation at the maximum point expressed as a value in decibels (dB) above a standard. The standard to … Read More

Propagation

What Is Radio Wave Propagation?

Radio wave propagation largely depends on atmospheric conditions, the band and power used to operate the radio equipment. Ground waves are “line of sight” communication. Atmospheric conditions come into play when transmitting between ham radio stations that are farther away … Read More

Call Sign Databases

Radio Call Sign Databases

There are various callsign databases out there. National callsign databases Andorra Antarctica Aruba Argentina Australia Austria Bahrain Belgium Belorussia Bermuda Brazil Bulgaria Bosnia & Herz Canada Canada Crete Cyprus Czech Republic Dominica Ecuador Egypt Estonia … Read More

QRM

Radio Noise Experiments

Are Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’S) RF Quiet? There has been a lot of exchanging of views about these lamps in the press of late and it revolves around the light output and the initial purchase … Read More