AmateurRadio.com

Stories you’ll find in our November, 2022 issue:

LnR Precision MTR-4B V2 QRP Transceiver
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

This little radio first caught Thomas’ attention at a Four Days in May (FDIM) QRP conference over a decade ago. He writes, “A ham friend in the SOTA community proudly showed me a very early version of the Mountain Topper that he built from a kit. The first thing that struck me was how impossibly small and extraordinarily lightweight it was. But when he showed me the 9-volt battery he used to power it––a power supply not only small, but convenient––I was mesmerized.”

Remote Ham Radio Options: Software and Hardware
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

We’ve all used remote control for decades to operate TV sets. Mark says, “Remote control operation also works for your ham radio hobby. Maybe you live in RFI hell—places where interference from computers, appliances, plasma TVs, and other consumer electronics wreak havoc on your receiver. Or maybe you’re in a lousy location for working DX, or any station for that matter? Then there’s serious portable operation. Imagine working stations from the great outdoors or from a hotel room.” Mark shows how to use software and hardware to make this happen.

Secrets of the End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

As with anything that becomes popular, a certain mythology has developed about the End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna, leading one to believe that it is some sort of miracle antenna, capable of gain, never needing a tuner, operating without any sort of counterpoise and extremely broadband in nature, among other amazing (but incorrect) ‘alternative facts.’ Cory says, “While a properly constructed and erected EFHW can be an effective radiator, your understanding and enjoyment of its overall performance characteristics deserves a closer look.”

2022 SDR Buyer’s Guide
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW

Receive-only SDRs continue to grab a major share of the HF shortwave marketplace. With the popularity of Raspberry PI systems, new manufacturers, primarily from outside the US, are now incorporating SDR technologies with portable handheld receivers. Digital radio, and in particular the Software Defined Radios, or SDRs, have quickly become a reality for many of us in our radio shacks. Larry looks at what’s available for 2022.

2022 Scanner Radio Buyer’s Guide
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW

2022 has shaped up to be familiar territory when it comes to selling scanner radios. Larry explains that chip shortages, labor shortages, supply chain irregularities, China Covid lockdown policies and other woes have resulted in “out of stock” notes from various sellers on popular models. Larry looks at products that are available and explains which might be best for you, where you live.

Scanning America
By Dan Veeneman
Scanning Delaware County (PA)

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Hurricane Ian Response

Milcom
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW
Monitoring US Coast Guard Aviation Fleet

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman
2022 Hurricane Season on HF

Shortwave Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Valter Aguiar
Latin American Radio Report

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Fall Shortwave Schedules

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
21st Century SWL

Amateur Radio Astronomy
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
The ‘Big Ear’ Radio Telescope’s ‘Wow’ Signal

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
The Fearnola: 1920s TRF Three-Dial Set

Digitally Speaking
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
2022 Amateur Radio Digital Voice Guide

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.