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The Communicator May-June 2025
1 May 2025 | by Its a big issue, and great articles, along with our regular columnists.
Now read in over 165 countries, this issue brings you 120+ pages of Amateur Radio content from the Southwest corner of Canada and around the globe. With less fluff and ads than other Amateur Radio publications, you will find Amateur Radio related articles, projects, profiles, news, tips and how-to's for all levels of the hobby.
Download the May-June 2025 Communicator in
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Previous Communicator issues:
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We now have a comprehensive searchable index back to 2007
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As always, thank you to our contributors, and your feedback is always welcome.
The deadline for the next edition is June 15th.
If you have news or events from your club or photos, stories, projects or other items of interest from BC or elsewhere, please contact us at [email protected]
73,
John VE7TI
'The Communicator' Editor
The Table of Contents for the May-June 2025 Communicator issue:
- The Rest of the Story: Pavel Schilling .............................................4
- NEW! A Complete Search Engine for The Communicator ..............7
- News You Can’t Lose: ..................................................................12
- News You Can’t Lose: Some enjoyable listening ahead! ..............12
- News You Can Lose: ARRL New Taxes for DX QSOs ..................13
- Mentoring Young Hams .................................................................15
- Post Special Event Summary: Operation Manna: .........................18
- Manna@80: The more unique contacts made by VB7MAN ..........24
- Radio Oranje and the ‘Kraut Sieve’ ...............................................25
- Radio Ramblings: Computing Science and Amateur Radio ..........28
- Computing Science and Amateur Radio ........................................28
- A LoRa-Based Mesh Network for Emergency Communication .....39
- A Heathkit “Cantenna” Deep Dive ................................................41
- Testing “Cantenna” oil ....................................................................43
- Making a Better Heathkit "Cantenna" ............................................46
- Another Notable Manna/Chowhound 80 Contact ..........................48
- Exploring the iCOM IC-7300's Internal Antenna Tuner ..................49
- Automatic Antenna Tuners & Couplers ..........................................52
- Electronic Keyers & Keyer Paddles ...............................................53
- Transients and Spikes on Power-line Voltage: ..............................55
- So... What is an MOV? ..................................................................57
- Testing MOVs ................................................................................59
- A Cheap and Light Weight HF Antenna .........................................60
- SO-124 [HADES-R] Satellite .........................................................61
- Tracking the ISS with an Arduino-Based System ..........................63
- Wondering where you can be heard? ............................................64
- A Reference for Coaxial Cable ......................................................65
- YADD: Maritime HF Activity Revisited ...........................................66
- The Mystery of the Mis-keyed Callsign ..........................................69
- Exploring Digital QSL Cards with DigiQSL: ...................................70
- How to Operate Pedestrian Mobile ................................................72
- Ham Radio Outside the Box: 25 Years a Ham ..............................75
- 2m: Weak-Signal Performance of Common Modulation Formats .79
- Zero Retries: An Introduction to the IP400 Network Project ..........82
- KB6NU: Buttons Are Back, Baby! ..................................................85
- KB6NU: Single sideband and a HAMNET update .........................87
- Foundations of Amateur Radio: .........................................................
- What is the difference between a Dummy Load and an Antenna? 88
- No-ham Recipes: Chinese Chicken in Sauce ................................91
- Back to Basics: A Balancing Act ....................................................92
- Profiles of SARC members: Jaspal Bagha VA7JB ........................98
- The Contest Contender: CQ WPX SSB ......................................102
- The Contest Contender: The 2025 ARRL Rookie Roundup ........104
- VB7MAN Participates in an International Microwave Party .........105
- High School Communications Course Update ............................113
- SEPAR Report: Winlink reestablished in the SEPAR program ....115
- QRT [Opinion]: The FCC Policy Statement .................................118
- Ham Leftovers... ..........................................................................121
- A look back: May 2015... .............................................................122
Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 379
Exploring the Caged Hen-Delta Antenna
This is a versatile ‘little’ loop antenna with a tiny turning radius, surprising DX performance, and stunning broadband qualities when caged.
AEOEN
First look at the HF Signals zBitx QRP Transceiver
An all-mode 80-10m QRP radio with a waterfall and weighing under 1 pound for under $200 USD shipped.
QRPer
Connecting the dots: Protecting and improving Amateur Radio access to 219-220 MHz
The twin challenges: Interference and regulatory burden.
Open Research Institute
Could Agent Sonya have done it? (It: QRP CW on 40 meters in 1939)
I believe Agent Sonya could have constructed the rig.
Copasetic Flow
We just lost the moon
Whether or not the global Amateur Radio community has any “buddies” in the Chinese space program, we need to make some.
KE9V
1946 Philips 170A-15 RadioBerry receiver project
Build a nice shortwave receiver for the radio shack based around the RadioBerry HAT on a Raspberry Pi 4 housed in a vintage receiver cabinet.
M0AWS
Ham Radio for preppers
I want to help expand knowledge of people, in particular those who want to become Amateur Radio Operators, and Preppers.
Ham Radio for Preppers
In an uncertain time, Ham Radio sees a signal boost
Amateur Radio enthusiasts have been preparing for emergencies for decades. Now their expertise is drawing packed rooms of newcomers.
INDY Week
Italian Radio Amateurs can use 70 MHz (4m) and 40 MHz (8m) band until end of 2025
The 70.200 MHz segment coincides with the SSB centre of activity.
EI7GL
Bid on a piece of NYC radio history
Alford FM antenna elements from Empire State Building go to auction.
RadioWorld
Video
Best POTA sites around Dayton
The five best POTA sites to activate while you are in town for Hamvention.
K8MDB
SDR Television
A DVB-S2 / AAC / H264 / H265 program for use on the QO-100 satellite.
Tech Minds
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Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.
Tomorrow starts Manna/Chowhound Weekend
Manna@80!
Operations Manna and Chowhound were lifesaving food drops to Northwest Holland 80 years ago, just prior to the end of World War Two. Over 20,000 people had died from starvation and a colder than normal winter. Allied pilots and support staff from the UK, the US, Canada, Poland, and Australia dropped over 7,000 tons of food behind enemy lines.
There are 10 special event stations operating in these countries Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27. If you contact 4 or more, a special event certificate will be issued. Check QRZ.com for any of the following callsigns or Manna80.radio on the web where the stations’ current operating frequencies are available via HamAlert.
Participating stations:
The UK
2. GB80MAN: International Bomber Command Centre
3. GB8MAN: Royal Air Force Station Binbrook
4. GB80CHO: 100th Bomb Group Museum in Thorpe Abbots
The United States
5. W4C: Boca Raton Amateur Radio Assn
Canada
6. VB7MAN: Surrey Amateur Radio Communications in Surrey, BC
7. VB6MAN: Calgary Amateur Radio Club at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta
8. VE1MAN: Pictou County ARC in Picton, Nova Scotia
Australia
9. VK80MAN: Bull Creek Aviation Heritage Centre Perth, Australia
Poland
10. SN80MAN: The SP5KAB Radio Club
We hope to make contact with you.
![[IMG]](https://manna80.radio/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_1100-768x494.jpeg)
LHS Episode #577: Shake Your Foundations
Hello and welcome to installment 577 of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this short topics episode, the hosts discuss ORI and the 220MHz band, a potential shake up in US amateur radio licensing, virtual swap space in the Linux kernel, apt, OrangePi and much more. Thanks for listening and have a great week.
73 de The LHS Crew
Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at [email protected].
ICQPodcast Episode 454 – Hiroyasu CQ7373 Review
In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT and Edmund Spicer M0MNG to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and the episode's feature is Hiroyasu CQ7373 Review.
We would like to thank our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate
- Efforts to Save Marconi Towers in Canada
- Hams Invited to Monitor Meteor Scatter Events
- Ham Radio News Presenter Retires At 101
- This Battery Looks Good on Paper Because it's Paper
- Zero Retries Newsletter Hosting Inaugural Conference
- South African Radio League Commits to Helping Continent’s Less-Developed Nations
- RSGB Board Chair and Vice Chair Announced
- RAC Votes to Cancel Attendance at Hamvention
Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].
AmateurLogic 204: Bletchley Park
AmateurLogic.TV Episode 204 is now available for download.
A visit to Bletchley Park, Tommy’s continuing Meshtastic Adventures part 2, DIY 50 Amp power supply, and more on Hamsci’s MW eclipse studies.
George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at [email protected].
Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 378
ARRL files comments responding to FCC request for input
It is hoped that the Commission will incorporate worthy suggestions in a future Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) later this year.
ARRL
FCC’s “Delete, Delete, Delete”
Is Ham Radio at risk?
Ham Radio Prep
Will tariffs affect the cost of Ham gear?
An analysis from Connect Systems.
KB6NU
Geomagnetic ground currents in North America
On April 16th, a severe geomagnetic storm caused electricity to flow through the rocks and soil of North America.
SpaceWeather.com
Tuning into innovation: How Ham Radio is powering scientific curiosity
On World Amateur Radio Day, we explore how this timeless tech continues to inspire innovation, build inclusive communities, and promote hands-on science education.
The New Indian Express
Three mysterious new shortwave stations approved in the U.S.
Past filings and meeting summaries suggest possible ties to high-frequency financial data transmissions, a purpose not authorized under current broadcast rules.
SWLing Post
Small talk, from afar
Students are trying to revive the Harvard Wireless Club.
Harvard Magazine
Wayne’s solution for sealing outdoor RF connectors
Consider the benefits of double-walled heat-shrink tubing.
RadioWorld
A Pi-based LiDAR scanner
Although there are plenty of methods for effectively imaging a 3D space, LiDAR is widely regarded as one of the most effective methods.
Hackaday
Extended hours for Voice of America Museum during Hamvention
Our Amateur Radio station WC8VOA will be on the air to operate.
Amateur Radio Daily
Video
What happened to Heathkit? The Ham Radio legend that vanished
Educating, entertaining, and helping radio enthusiasts to learn more about the history and stories behind the technology we enjoy.
Ham Radio Gizmos
Steam in the crater at Mount Saint Helens with Ham Radio operations
2-Meter FM Ham Radio operations were conducted throughout the flight.
W7NY
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