Welcome to this new series for our website. This is a space reserved for collecting information related to workbench activities. This will include repairs, kit and scratch builds, test equipment, and general guidance for tangential topics. If you have something you would like to share, let us know what you would like to share on […]
Building
Fox Hunt Review – Oct 2022
On October 8th, 2022, it was a clear morning with a feeling of fall in the air. Having filled our bellies with food from the Country Kitchen, we turned our attention to the task at hand… finding that old elusive foxes! Earlier that morning, K4HZ and W4XXV hid the two transmitters within the confines of […]
2022 Winter Build Project
11/28/2022 Sign-ups are now closed. This year we will concentrate on a unique and fun build. The Ozark Patrol is a simple regen receiver, designed by David Cripe, NMØS, kitted and sold by the Four State QRP Group. Read more about the kit here.The uniqueness of this kit comes in the form of surface mounting […]
Starting With Arduino
Supplemental ideas that could work with the 2021 Winter Build Project! If you haven’t heard of the Arduino, where have you been?! For those that are wondering, the Arduino is an open-source microcontroller platform that is inexpensive, easy to learn, and very well documented. The Arduino microcontroller comes in many different packages, depending on the […]
Quick Multimeter Test Jig
Recently I had the need to test a handful of through hole resistors. I’ve had this need before when going through drawers of discarded components as well. Being colorblind, it’s not even helpful for me to memorize the color code, so I have to measure them. I’m all about simplification, so simplifying the setup, handling, […]
Kit Building Resources
Here are some resources to learn the basics of soldering, tool use, and building of electronic kits. This is a supplement to the 2021 Winter Build Project, but is a great resource for anyone trying out soldering for the first time! Soldering Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering Multimeters and Measurements Electronic Tools Kit Building Kit […]
Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio
Book Review “Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio” is a great book for folks with some background with microcontrollersand have a knack for improvising and troubleshooting. That may sound like a left-handed complement, but read on. It was submitted to ARRL for publication two years before it hit the ARRL Store. Every schematic was redrawn, which […]
2021 Winter Build Project
Updated 12/18/2021 There has been some recent interest in kit building within the ranks, so I’ve created a course that I think would be both fun and educational. Sign-up has ended for this session Schedule: Unit 1: Setup, Soldering, and a Dummy Load Saturday November 6, 2021 @ 9:00AM ESTRecording Available Here (click) Unit 2: […]
Review – Cushcraft A6270-13S
Our very own Steve, WD4JIX gives us a look at his new build of the Cushcraft A6270-13S. This is a 13 element yagi that works on 6m, 2m, and 70cm. Other reviews can be found on eHam. Manufacturer website is here. If you would like more detailed information, the manual download is here in PDF.
How Does the J-Pole Work?
J-Pole antennas are one of the true works of electrical engineering that gives us a smaller footprint vertical with no need for a ground plane. But how do these things work? Here is a great presentation from Dr. Ed Fong WB6IQN explaining. Other articles and information on J-Poles available here: The DBJ-1: A VHF-UHF Dual-Band […]