The SARC Communicator : May-June 2026

Home

30 April 2026 | by John VE7TI | Share | | Leave a Comment (0)

Welcome to The Communicator

Amateur radio has always been a pursuit of contrasts—venerating the past while racing toward the future. This issue celebrates that duality from cover to cover.

We begin with history: Harry Melville Dowsett, the architect of practical radio, and the curious case of author Zane Grey’s on-air adventures in Tahiti. Then pivot sharply to the present—AI’s creeping influence, TETRA digital tech, California’s controversial Bill AB 1043 that may affect you, and a look at the ARRL’s struggle in the digital age.

Our technical deep dives range from the IC-9700’s capabilities for digital modes to rebuilding the Icom IC-PW1 amplifier to building a vertical HF antenna without radials. For the space-minded, we track LEO satellites, pico balloons, and the mysterious Judica-Cordiglia recordings (fact or fallacy?). And don’t miss the Baker Street walkie-talkie heist or British Columbia’s 2026 QSO Party wrap-up,

Need something lighter? Check page 13's New You Can Lose, try using a bluetooth speaker IKEA-style, exploring POTACat, or enjoying a classic Spam fritter and mash recipe (yes, really).

Don't miss the run-up to the FIFA World Cup Special Event Stations and learn how to participate.

Rounding out the issue: SARC minutes, member profiles, SEPAR’s handheld transceiver review, even the mis-named FAA CW transponder directive. Whether you’re here for the science, the nostalgia, or the sheer joy of ham leftovers, you’re in good hands.

So power up, tune in, and turn the page—The Communicator has something for every communicator, now reaching 165+ countries.

Download the Full Resolution Issue Here

Download the Lower Resolution Issue - 7 Mb

Read it On-line as a Magazine

The AI LLM Version

Please note that there are active links for additional content when viewed on your device.

~ John VE7TI, Editor

Contents for this issue:

Harry Melville Dowsett: The architect of practical radio 4
Trials and Errors: On the Air with Zane Grey in Tahiti 8
News You Can’t Lose: The World FIFA Cup SES 12
The Lighter Side of Amateur Radio: ARRL Field Day… 13
Radio Ramblings: AI seems to be everywhere these days. 14
Two GREAT new apps 25
TETRA: Professional digital technology in amateur radio 26
IKEA’s KALLSUP portable Bluetooth speaker 29
Never Say Die: The ARRL and the Challenge of the Digital Age 30
A mic mounting solution 33
POTACat: A comprehensive overview 34
Digital modes on the IC-9700 38
The Judica-Cordiglia Recordings: Fact, Fiction & Mysteries 42
Currently Active LEO Satellites 44
The Baker Street: "Walkie-Talkie" Heist 48
Marconi & the Lizard Wireless Station 53
British Columbia QSO Party 2026 54
Phoenix HF RF Amplifier: Rebuilding the Icom IC-PW1 56
Pico balloon VE7NFR-15 launched 63
The Silent Squelch: California Bill AB 1043 64
The Splice Must Flow 67
Sporadic-E: Unlocking the "Magic Band" for Amateur Radio 68
Outside the box: Be gone pesky radials! 70
Zero Retries: NewTechHams 74
2 Meters: Three types of GOTA contacts 78
Audio using light modulation 81
KB6NU: A new documentary on Martin F. Jue and MFJ 82
Foundations of Amateur Radio: Where is the spark... gap? 86
Back to Basics: The Soundcard interface 90
Back to Grimeton: Be Kind - Send good code 92
No-ham Recipes: Spam fritters with spring onion mash 93
May and June SARC/SEPAR Calendar 94
Profiles of SARC members: Shawn Dooley VE7BD 96
SARC March General Meeting Minutes 98
SARC April General Meeting Minutes 101
Recent Photos 104
SEPAR Report: New Handheld Transceiver Options 106
QRT: CW or Morse code? The FAA's Boeing 787 Transponder Directive 108
Ham Leftovers... 111