Author: Scott Westerman
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The latest flavor of the Raspberry Pi tastes really, really good.
900MHz quad-core system-on-chip, 1GB of RAM, and still just $35.00. I use the Pi to interface with my D-Star DVAP dongle and it’s been darn near bulletproof. Eager to put this baby through her paces. Here’s more from Gizmodo.
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The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015
“The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015” — H.R.1301 — has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. The measure would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land use restrictions. Learn more here.
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Ham Radio 101 – What the heck is a balun?
Baluns. We see em in a variety of amateur radio applications. They help turn a couple of long pieces of wire into a tool that a coaxial cable can feed with radio frequency energy. But what are they? Why do we need them? And how do they work? This 1985 article by W7EL takes the…
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Using the ZyXEL WAP 3205 as a Wireless Bridge
Got one of those older generation BluRays or Flat Screens that requires a CAT 5 connection? No CAT 5 wiring in the house and your wifi router is not in a convenient location for a direct connect?Here’s an great way to extend your network without having to upgrade that non-wifi gear.The ZyXEL WAP 3205 can…
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What Are Voting Receivers?
One way that repeater systems with strong transmit capability can improve their “ears” is the installation of remote receiver locations throughout the coverage area. These are connected to the transmit site via a linking frequency using a highly directional yagi antenna. Technology at the repeater site scans for the strongest remote signal and inputs that…
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Climbing a 1500′ Tower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1BgzIZRfT8In Hutchinson, KS. I think a repeater at about the 1,400 foot level would be a good addition.
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Way Cool, Free Ham Radio Call Book
Petr, OK2CQR, created this useful Amateur Radio tool. As he notes, “This callbook provides all data for free and you will not have to log in to see any detail unlike other sites. It includes also XML access for logging programs. You can use everything from HamQTH as often as you want without limits. The…
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Ham Radio 101 – Intro to Antennas
Great news! Ward Silver is writing for The Nuts and Volts Blog! One of the League’s best Elmers takes us through the basics of antenna design, theory and construction. Enjoy!
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Spark Returns for World Radio Day
Once upon a time, long distance communication was the province of huge alternators that generated dots and dashes on very long wavelengths. One of the most famous, the Alexanderson Alternator will take to the air on February 13. Learn more about this historic event and how you can listen in here.