AmateurRadio.com

Stories you’ll find in our January, 2017 issue:

Living the Shortwave Broadcasting Dream at WTWW
By Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF

Ted Randall WB8PUM is a lucky guy. Every day he gets to play radio with some pretty big transmitters and some very large antennas. What’s more, his whole family gets to play too. And at night, after work, he gets to play some more! Keith Baker tells us all about the radio engineer behind the mic at the “QSO Radio Show,” Tuesday evenings on 5.085 MHz shortwave.

SteppIR BigIR MK IV: Going to Great Lengths
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

In limited spaces, the vertical has become the go-to antenna for many installations. They seem like a perfect solution; footprints are small, and simple radial systems are easy to hide in the turf. Verticals also exhibit lower angles of radiation, making them perfect for DX work. The SteppIR BigIR stands out as an alternative, providing a system that will mechanically create a quarter wave vertical on any of the major ham bands–even MARS frequencies.

Going Mobile with SDR
By Robert Gulley AK3Q

There are a number of reasons to go mobile with an SDR, not the least of which is the adventure factor! Every new place offers new listening opportunities; it is a bit like fingerprints in that no two locations are exactly the same. Every location offers something different, and with the wide-ranging capabilities of the SDR there are always new things to hear. Robert shows us what to bring along, how to hook up to power and an antenna. It’s easier than you might think!

The Extra Punch of SSB on CB
By Cory Sickles

In recent months, Cory has spent a good deal of time on the VHF and UHF aspects of Citizens Band, but CB is thought of more for what goes on at 27 MHz. To be sure, the core HF allocation is where the majority of CB users start and where they stay. As a simple option to enter the two-way radio hobby, it’s hard to beat. But that doesn’t mean the world of CB has to be limited to 4 watts of amplitude modulation. Cory explains what happens when CB goes SSB.

Basics of Motorized Satellite Reception: Part 1
By Mike Kohl

Free-to-Air satellite-TV enthusiasts get the most out of their systems, whether they’re Ku-only or C/Ku-Band big-dish systems, when they are motorized. But, moving small dishes or big dishes requires the right sort of motor and proper connections. Mike shows us how it’s done in Part 1.

Klingenfuss Utility Monitoring Book
By Bob Grove W8JHD

For several decades, Joerg Klingenfuss has been the consummate publisher of radio frequency directories on a global basis. His latest offerings include frequency guides, databases and CDs, code books, signal sound CDs, a frequency list for the Perseus SDR, screen-shots on a USB stick, and Internet web pages. Bob Grove takes a look at this extensive new collection.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
New Digital Modes for Some Scanners

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
A New Year In Federal Monitoring

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
U. of Twente WebSDR Featured in Popular Video

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
The Advantages of DMR on VHF

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Aurorasaurus.org: Aurora Tracking in Real Time

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
A Vertical in Winter

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
FTA Satellite TV Part II: “Hidden” Signals on Satellite TV

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Solar Cycle 24 Downgraded (Again)

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Jeff White
HFCC B16 Coordinating Conference in Miami and Okeechobee

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Radio Australia Leaves Shortwave

Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
The Old and the New

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
More LW Information Sources and Readers’ LW Logs

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Hallicrafters S-38B: the UL-Approved Basket Case

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Sunspots Maybe, Part 2: Hey, Dan, What About Stealth?

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.