POPULARITY
Foundations of Amateur Radio I've owned a Yaesu FT-857d radio since becoming an amateur and at the time I was absolutely blown away by how much radio fits inside the box. It's smaller than most of the commercial radios I'd seen when I bought it. I came across a video by Michael KB9VBR, the other day showcasing a wooden cigar box with a complete, well, almost complete POTA, or Parks On The Air, activation kit. I say almost, since Dave KZ9V, the owner of the kit, points out that the box doesn't contain an antenna. It made me wonder how small is small? According to RigPix, the lightest transmitter on an amateur band, in this case, the 5 GHz or 5cm band, is an Amateur TV transmitter. Weighing in at 3.9 grams. The Eachine TX-06 is capable of FM with about 18 MHz of bandwidth with an audio sub-carrier. Of course, that's not a transceiver, but I thought it worth mentioning in case you needed an excuse for something tiny in your shack, besides, as far as I can tell, there's never too much Amateur TV in the world. I've built a crystal radio on a breadboard which is tiny, but it doesn't transmit, so to set the stage, I think we need to limit ourselves to transceivers, that is, a device capable of both transmitting and receiving, on amateur bands. Before continuing I'd like to express my thanks to Janne SM0OFV, for the rigpix.com database that he's been maintaining, in notepad, since 2000. Without the invaluable information documented for the currently 7,512 radios, I'd be spending an awful lot of time hunting for information. Moving on, the FaradayRF board is a transceiver, capable of using 900 MHz or the 33cm band. It comes in at 30 grams, but without a computer it's a circuit board with potential. The PicoAPRS by Taner DB1NTO, is a 2m transceiver specifically for APRS, weighs in at 52 grams and similar in look and a third of the weight of an Ericsson T18 mobile phone. Speaking of mobile phones, the PicoAPRS does WiFi and Bluetooth, can pair with your phone and act as an AX.25 modem. I'll confess, I'm drooling. Moving right along, for 70cm there's a Rubicson Walk 'n' talk, weighs in at 65 grams. Mind you, the RigPix database puts this under the "License-free / PMR446" section which comes with a sage warning, check your local laws before transmitting. There's a few Alinco DJ-C models for different markets that operate on 2m or 70cm, weighing in at 75 grams. The ADALM Pluto weighs 114 grams, but you'll need a USB power supply of some sort to make it do anything. It can operate between 70 MHz and 6 GHz, but the user interface is limited to a single button and LED, so if you want to interact with it, you'll need some external technology. Moving on to HF transceivers, weighing in at 199 grams, without the bag, but all the options, is the Elecraft KH1. Transmits on 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m and 15m and receives between 6 and 22 MHz. It's CW only, but you can receive SSB. If CW isn't your thing, RTTY and PSK can be used on the 40m band with a Silent System Handy PSK 40. Presumably the Handy PSK 20 runs on 20m. Both weigh in at 250 grams. The Zettl P-20xx SSB does SSB, AM, FM and CW, transmits on 10m, 11m, 12m and 15m as well as the MARS frequencies and receives between 14 and 30 MHz, weighs 300 grams. Even comes with CTCSS. Another Elecraft model, the KX2 weighs in at 370 grams, does 80m to 10m and the WARC bands, does SSB, CW and data. Mind you, you'll also need to add the weight for the microphone and paddles, and factor in a computer if you want to do more than PSK and RTTY. The Expert Electronics SunSDR2 QRP does 160m to 10m, the WARC bands and 6m. Weighs in at 500 grams, has a network port and two independent receivers. Operates at 5 Watts. There's no user interface, unless you count the reset and power buttons, so I'm not sure if it can operate on any mode with just a microphone, but given the "Depending on software" disclaimers throughout, I'm going to guess you'll need to bring a computer to make it sing. The Risen RS-918SSB does all HF amateur bands between 160m and 10m, has a user interface and display, even a big tuning knob, has built-in FreeDV and does FM, SSB and CW. I'd hazard a guess that this is the lightest self-contained transceiver that you can take out on a POTA mission to a park. Weighs 623 grams and comes with an internal battery. The Elecraft KX3 also does 160m to 10m, and 6m, with a 2m option. Weighs in at 680 grams, but that doesn't include any options. And finally, we pass 1 kilogram and hit 1,100 grams and discover a radio that does all bands and modes, the Icom IC-705 with a battery, but no antenna. The Yaesu FT-817, FT-817dn and FT-818 weigh 70 grams more, but that weight includes both a battery and antenna. Of course there are other options. For example, there's the (tr)uSDX by Manuel DL2MAN, and Guido PE1NNZ, does 80m, 60m, 40m, 30m and 20m, CW, SSB, AM and FM. Comes in a kit, weighs 140 grams. It's not on RigPix, so I only know about it because it was mentioned by Dave KZ9V. Similarly, I bumped into, wait for it, a single transistor transceiver called the Pititico, in case you're wondering, Pitico means very small in Portuguese and Pititico means very very small. Designed by Miguel PY2OHH, it comes in various revisions, including one by Ciprian YO6DXE, also known as DX Explorer on YouTube, complete with a circuit board design, and with some modifications can do AM in addition to CW. It's also not in the RigPix database and I have no idea what it weighs. The point being that this rundown is intended as a starting point to explore how small you can really get and still activate the Park or Peak you intend to. While you're contemplating weight, remember to account for power, control, and most importantly an antenna or six. Again, big thank you to Janne SM0OFV, for the rigpix.com website. Also, thank you for the memories of the Spectravideo SV-318 and SV-328, the last time I bumped into one of those was in 1980-mumble when I was working in a computer shop on the Haarlemmerstraat in Leiden, Mr. Micro Zap, if you're curios. What lightweight adventures are you looking for next? I'm Onno VK6FLAB
Justin McAllister, K5EM's early interest in ham radio in high school, set him on a professional path to electronic engineering for industry, startups, and entrepreneurship. In ham radio, Justin adopted a few favorite areas of special interest. Justin likes to operate satellites with his portable full duplex rig, operate the digital modes both actively and passively, creating new antennas designs, and getting out in nature to operate POTA and SOTA. K5EM is my QSO Today.
Show Notes (contains affiliate links): A New Challenger Arrives - 12 Volt Laptop Quest On this week's episode of Ham Radio Crash Course, a podcast roughly based on amateur radio but mostly made up of responding to emails from listeners, hosted by Josh Nass - KI6NAZ and his reluctant wife, Leah - KN6NWZ, we talk about the KX2 upgrade, getting your chicken on and the 12 volt laptop quest contender. Ham Radio Minute: KX2 upgrade after how many years? Requires soldering. Ham Radio Test Study with Leah HamStudy: https://hamstudy.org Support by getting something from Signal Stuff: https://signalstuff.com/?ref=622 Gordon West Ham Radio Test Prep Books with HRCC Links -Technician: https://amzn.to/3EGELhO -General: https://amzn.to/3g8R9gf -Extra: https://amzn.to/3Tlis5j Free Fastrack Track to Your Ham Radio License Books on Audible (for new to Audible readers): https://www.amazon.com/hz/audible/mlp/membership/premiumplus?tag=hrccpodcast-20 Join the conversation by leaving a review on Apple Podcast for Ham Radio Crash Course podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ham-radio-crash-course/id1400794852 and/or emailing Leah@hamtactical.com. Leaving a review wherever you listen to podcasts will help Ham Radio Crash Course reach more hams and future hams and we appreciate it! Preparedness Corner: Get yo chickens. Show Topic: 12 Volt Laptop Quest - Gateway Touchscreen 12 volt laptop for under $200 https://amzn.to/3W8Rsag Email Correspondent's Tower: We answer emails with ham radio questions, comments on previous podcasts, T-shirt suggestions and everything in between. Links mentioned in the ECT: Thank you all for listening to the podcast. We have a lot of fun making it and the fact you listen and send us feedback means alot to us! Want to send us something? Josh Nass P.O. Box 5101 Cerritos, CA 90703-5101 Support the Ham Radio Crash Course Podcast: Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/hoshnasi Shop HamTactical: http://www.hamtactical.com Shop Our Affiliates: http://hamradiocrashcourse.com/affiliates/ Shop Our Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hamradiocrashcourse As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Connect with Us: Website...................► http://hamradiocrashcourse.com YouTube..................► https://www.youtube.com/c/HamRadioCrashCourse Podcast...................► https://hamradiocrashcourse.podbean.com/ Discord....................► https://discord.gg/xhJMxDT Facebook................► https://goo.gl/cv5rEQ Twitter......................► https://twitter.com/Hoshnasi Instagram.................► https://instagram.com/hoshnasi (Josh) Instagram.................►https://instagram.com/hamtactical (Leah)
Show Notes (contains affiliate links): Leah Reacts to the KX2, 705, 599 and 818. On this week's episode of Ham Radio Crash Course, a podcast roughly based on amateur radio but mostly made up of responding to emails from listeners, hosted by Josh Nass - KI6NAZ and his reluctant wife, Leah - KN6NWZ, we talk about why you should just bring it with you, Kansas disaster research and Leah's hot takes on 4 of Josh's radios. Have a drink with us! Today, we're drinking… Crime Josh has a short tip with the Ham Radio Minute: Just Bring It. Join the conversation by leaving a review on Apple Podcast for Ham Radio Crash Course podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ham-radio-crash-course/id1400794852 and/or emailing Leah@hamtactical.com. Leaving a review wherever you listen to podcasts will help Ham Radio Crash Course reach more hams and future hams and we appreciate it! Preparedness Corner: $20MM Kansas disaster research https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/14/20-million-headed-kansas-research-better-natural-disaster-responses/ Email Correspondent's Tower: We answer emails with ham radio questions, comments on previous podcasts, T-shirt suggestions and everything in between. Links mentioned in the ECT: Doug's Amish Paradise Suggestions: https://essenhaus.com/ https://www.thebluegate.com/ Midwest Reprap: https://www.facebook.com/midwestreprapfest/ How to pronounce folk: https://youtube.com/shorts/Z-tBgR0IsHU?feature=share Show Topic: Leah reacts to the Elecraft KX2, Discovery Lab599, Yaesu 818 and Icom 705. Thank you all for listening to the podcast. We have a lot of fun making it and the fact you listen and send us feedback means alot to us! Want to send us something? Josh Nass P.O. Box 5101 Cerritos, CA 90703-5101 Support the Ham Radio Crash Course Podcast: Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/hoshnasi Shop HamTactical: http://www.hamtactical.com Shop Our Affiliates: http://hamradiocrashcourse.com/affiliates/ Shop Our Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hamradiocrashcourse As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Connect with Us: Website...................► http://hamradiocrashcourse.com YouTube..................► https://www.youtube.com/c/HamRadioCrashCourse Podcast...................► https://hamradiocrashcourse.podbean.com/ Discord....................► https://discord.gg/xhJMxDT Facebook................► https://goo.gl/cv5rEQ Twitter......................► https://twitter.com/Hoshnasi Instagram.................► https://instagram.com/hoshnasi (Josh) Instagram.................►https://instagram.com/hamtactical (Leah)
From his QTH in Rio De Janeiro, Alex Grimberg, PY1AHD, has mastered the art of the portable magnetic loop antennas for QRP use in the field. This interest, generated from his need for a light and portable antenna, has blossomed into the Alexloop antenna business. Now Alex travels the ham radio World showing off his Alex Loops and other accessories that make portable QRP field operations that much more enjoyable. PY1AHD is my QSO Today.
Amateur radio is a big tent with an appeal for every amateur’s special interest. Once a QRO DX operator, the new magic of ham radio for Don Minkoff NK6A, came from turning down the power to QRP levels and getting out of the QTH to the great outdoors and working SOTA, or Summits on the Air. Don shares his ham radio story and so much more in this QSO Today.
On my recent trip from Israel to the USA, to attend the Dayton Hamvention, I stopped in the Bay Area to visit with Wayne Burdick, N6KR, a long time and childhood friend, and co-founder of Elecraft, to catch up, discuss the KX2, and working HF from the field. That evening Wayne and I attended the QSO Today Bay Area Meetup where I asked the participants their name, callsign, and the most exciting thing that they think is happening in ham radio.
In this, the 75th installment of Ham Radio 360 Podcast we talk Community. You hear me harp on community almost daily. It's real to me, and I hope this program helps it continue to grow. While there are tons of negatives in our hobby, I always stretch to find the high points. One of those highs came to me a few months back. A gracious listener charged me with finding a New Ham that needed some help getting started with quality equipment. I assumed this would be an easy task with so many new hams flooding in...it was a little tougher than I had imagined! It seems that most new hams are hitting the ground running and purchasing big items straight out of the gate. That was until I met Josh Hunley, KD9GOT. I won't spoil the story because I want you to listen to him tell it! We surprise Josh with some really cool gear purchased by our Gracious Listener and supplied by MTCRadio.com! We carry on to the #KX2forCale! Yes, I have an KX2 in the shack-sent over from Elecraft to demo this Spring as I begin to explore QRP/Adventure Radio (gonna be fun y'all!) Finally, i discuss the loss of my first friend/elmer to go SK. Harold Kinley (WA4GIB) passed last week. In my short time in the hobby this was the first 'Elmer' I've lost. Harold was a great man, and the very epitome of the Community I hope to encourage in the Amateur Radio Hobby/Service. WA4GIB (SK) Harold's Website Harold's books on Amazon.com 73 K4CDN/Cale Nelson New Show: Modern Christian Men Podcast
One of my Favorite Ham Radio Podcast's is Linux in the Ham Shack! Not that I'm a Linux guy-but I like to be challenged-entertained and taught. That's what I get each time I tune into the LHS Podcast-I laugh, I scratch my head and usually walk away with something new! *insert missing Picture of Russ and Cale from Dayton* Russ (@K5TUX) and I caught up with one another at Dayton, and decided then-the time had come for a LHS/HR360 show. Little did he know just how little I know about Linux-even after listening to his show all this time! Linux is an Amazing Free Tool for Ham Radio Hobbyist to utilize in their shack-aided by the advent of the Micro-Computer (ex: Raspberry Pi) it seems to be popping up everywhere! Even on some of my old machines. Like the Pros they are, Russ and Bill are ever-patient with my questions throughout the show! Debian HamRadio Pure Blend is a great place to start if your looking to get started with Linux in your shack! Cheryl and Bill (@NE4RD) are also in the Mix to help me get a better understanding on all things Linux-and even to help whip up a quick Summertime Dessert! We had a great time on and off 'the air' and I hope you enjoy the show! Make sure you give Linux in the Hamshack Podcast a Listen! Didja See George's latest KX2 video? I appreciate everyone of you-Thanks so much for listening! 73 Y'all! K4CDN
Field Day 2016 is in the books and we're back with a follow-up show detailing our experiences from the event. We also have a one on one with Wayne (N6KR) of Elecraft to get even more detailed information on the KX2-from the inside out! Additionally, we have a Listener Call-in from Singapore regarding the Workbench Podcast and toss in some bloopers at the end to wind things up. 73 y'all Cale/K4CDN KB1HQS in Print! Click for more info
Here's our first Dayton Hamvention update! This morning (5-19-16) Eric (WA6HHQ) kicked off the FDIM (Four Days in May) with the Keynote address and the official introduction of the New Elecraft KX2. Immediately following the presentation, Eric sat down with our very own George (KJ6VU) to give the HR360 audience a first peek into the KX2. Eric from Elecraft (WA6HHQ) In addition to the Elecraft KX2 Intro, George also was able to get some information about the Elecraft K-Pod! Following that is a recording of this mornings FDIM Keynote from Eric (WA6HHQ). Inside the KX2! A big Thank You to Eric (WA6HHQ) and Elecraft for keeping the Ham Radio Hobby exciting! 73 Y'all K4CDN Make sure to follow us on Twitter for all the Breaking News Updates along with cool stuff we find along the way! @hamradio360 @KF7IJZ @KJ6VU See us in Dayton at BA406