AmateurRadio.com

Stories you’ll find in our September, 2016 issue:

TSM Reviews:
Elad FDM-Duo: A QRP SDR Transceiver with or without PC
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

Elad has taken the best of their diminutive software defined receiver (SDR), the FDM-S2, added a transmitter and fit it inside a stylish, compact case. It can be used as a standalone unit by connecting to an external 13.8-volt DC power supply and antenna. It can also be controlled by your computer using the FDM-SW2 software also shared by the FDM-S2. That makes this one of the most versatile radios that can be used for as a portable, mobile, or base station. And, like many recent rigs, the Elad is upgradeable through firmware and software, which means you’ll get the benefit of future improvements as they become available. Mark put the FDM-Duo to the on-air test.

TSM Reviews: Icom IC-R6 Sport 16 All-band Hand-held Receiver
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

Readers have asked Thomas about the Icom IC-R6 Sport 16; a compact handheld receiver that covers from 100 kHz to 1309.995 MHz. What makes the IC-R6 appealing is that––at just $175 US––it is one of the least expensive wideband handhelds/scanners on the market that not only covers the shortwave bands, but also the AM broadcast, Longwave, FM broadcast, Public Service as well as NOAA weather frequencies. Thomas puts this handheld giant to a real world reception test.

The Hacking of FLTSATCOM 8
By Bob Grove W8JHD

For more than a decade, enterprising Brazilians have been making use of an aging US military satellite parked over the Atlantic Ocean to talk sports, play music and, some say, engage in legitimate and illegitimate business activities. In a country as vast as Brazil, lacking infrastructure to huge parts of the country, this satellite, once a mainstay in the Navy’s global communications network, has helped long distance truckers, families, hobbyists and possibly even criminals in their daily lives. Bob shows us how easy this is to do and why other satellites may also be vulnerable.

GMRS: The “Other” Citizen’s Band – Part 1
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is sometimes equated with Family Radio Service (FRS) because of the inexpensive, dual-use portables sold today in every discount store. And, although it is easy to find FRS radios with GMRS capabilities, they are not the same service. GMRS still requires a license and carries other restrictions, but with the license comes flexibility that’s more akin to the amateur radio service.

TSM Reviews: Sangean HD-18 AM/FM/HD-Radio Tabletop Set
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR

In recent years, radio manufacturers appear to have abandoned the concept of HD-Radio in anything except car radios. Even in the automotive environment, HD reception capability is included only in the higher end models. Now, Sangean has hit the market with a trio of HD-capable radios at three different price points. This month we take a close look at the HD-18; Sangean’s mid-priced AM/FM/HD-Radio. Now listeners all over the US have the chance to explore the multicast digital world of HD-FM at home.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Enabling Interoperability; Erie (PA) and Denton (TX) Counties

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Political Conventions Wrap Up

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
Identifying US Military on ALE

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
African Peacekeeping and Police Networks

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Controlling Influences

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
SOTA Loop Repurposed Through Innovation

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
The ‘Deserted Island’ HF Antenna

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Solar Cycle 25 or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Maunder Minimum

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Jeff White, General Manager WRMI
NASB Brings Shortwave Broadcasters and Listeners Together in Music City

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Radio Ukraine, RFI and Radio Syria

Amateur Radio Satellites
By Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF
Summer: Satellite Antenna Experimenting Time

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Improve Your LW Antenna; a Visit from KR61SS; SAQ on the Air; Readers’ Logs

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Restoring a Classic: The Philco 60B “Baby Grand” Cathedral

The Spectrum Monitor is available in PDF format which can be read on any desktop, laptop, iPad®, Kindle® Fire, or other device capable of opening a PDF file. Annual subscription is $24. Individual monthly issues are available for $3 each.

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