AmateurRadio.com

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

TSM Reviews: Elecraft KX2 QRP Transceiver
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

As a ham who already owns both the KX1 and KX3 transceivers, and likes them very well, wouldn’t a KX2 be redundant? Maybe. But it also puts him in a perfect position to compare Elecraft’s latest offering. Thomas takes the diminutive KX2 into the field, where it was meant to be, activating more than twenty NPOTAs (National Park on the Air). What he finds is that “the KX2 is a profound upgrade of the KX1.” He also checks out the KX2 on the international shortwave bands and finds, “It’s an exceptionally sensitive and selective receiver, with a stable AGC, that would please the most dedicated DXer.”

Small HF Antennas for Portable and Restricted Space Use
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

While small and shortened antennas have their drawbacks, their advantages—convenience for portable use, backpacking and avoiding HOA conflicts—are substantial tradeoffs. And, while their performance is less than should be expected from full-sized antennas, this doesn’t mean they don’t perform—you just need to keep your expectations in perspective. Mark takes a look at several of the more popular portable HF antennas available commercially and he looks at the options for making your own, including a 40-6 meter end-fed antenna he made himself.

Radio Power Supplies: A Primer for Hams and SWLs
By Bob Grove W8JHD

It’s the most basic piece of equipment in your ham shack or radio room—it’s certainly the least interesting—but it could be the most important. Bob Grove answers just about every question you might have had about the lowly radio power supply: Why 13.8 volts? Is a same-brand power supply best for my name-brand transceiver? Do I really need meters on my power supply? What’s a switching power supply? What’s “crowbar protection” and “variable voltage?” What amperage do I really need? If I’m using a battery as a portable power supply, which is best?

The Kit’s Meow: Shopping for DIY Radio Projects
By Richard Fisher KI6SN

With Ramsey shutting down its radio kits division earlier this year, many hams and shortwave listeners felt it might signal the end of the radio kits industry. Don’t people build things anymore? Regular TSM contributor Richard Fisher KI6SN set out to discover the current state of kit making. What he found is quite encouraging: more than 250 online companies offering kits as varied as the spectrum we listen to, with a great range in prices and required maker skills. Richard lists them all, complete with a sampling of their wares and links to their websites.

MURS: Dots, Data and More
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

Along with Class D CB, GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and FRS, (Family Radio Service) there’s another aspect to the FCC’s Part 95 two-way radio – MURS. The Multi-Use Radio Service occupies five channels in the VHF spectrum. By rule, it is limited to a 2 watts output power and may seem quite limited, but there’s more to MURS than meets the eye. In this segment of his Part-95 radio series, Cory, looks at the little known VHF service that can meet quite a few needed applications where you live.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Public Utilities as “Critical Infrastructure”

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
TSA Radio Updates and More Small Federal Agencies

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
KPH Returns to Point Reyes

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
An HF “Beep, Beep, Beep,” Chirping Signal Mystery

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
DMR Update

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Baofeng BF-F8HP and BTech UV-5X3 Handhelds and 220 MHZ

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Forget the Holiday—It’s Contest Time!

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
What’s New in CB and FRS/GMRS

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Space Weather: Solar Cycle 24 is Dying!

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Trends in Shortwave Radio

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
EU SW Stations and Election Night Listening

Amateur Radio Astronomy
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
FITS Again

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
The Freshman Masterpiece: a 1920s TRF Experience

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
And the Twain Shall Meet: Let’s Build a Dipole

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.

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

LnR’s New LD-11: A Very Red, QRP, All-Mode, All-Band Transceiver
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

LnR Precision, Inc., is a North Carolina-based company that specializes in antennas, straight-keys, and QRP transceivers. Earlier this year, when the company announced their latest QRP transceiver, the LD-11, Thomas Witherspoon was especially intrigued. The new LD-11 supports 160-10 meter operation with all modes (SSB, CW, CW-R, Digi, AM and FM). Find out why Thomas says its performance-for-price-point puts it in a market with some heavy-hitters like the venerable Yaesu FT-817ND, the Elecraft KX3, and the new Elecraft KX2.

The Slow Creep of Scanner Encryption
By Chris Parris

Those within the radio communications industry have been actively marketing the ability to encrypt the latest generations of business and personal radio communications fairly inexpensively. This trend follows one that has been on a steady march for years in the public safety communications industry, and it affects many more people than just scanner listeners. But why is this happening? Federal Wavelengths columnist, Chris Parris, takes a look at what encryption is, who is using it and how it affects all of us in the radio monitoring hobby.

Monitoring Russia’s Northern Fleet
By Tony Roper

In its current form, the Northern Fleet is still the largest in the Russian navy, consisting of approximately 80 warships, half of which are submarines, as well as this number again in service ships, tugs and icebreakers. Longtime military monitor, Tony Roper, shows us how he monitors the activities of this fleet through Morse code transmissions directly from the ships as well as using Web-based tools, such as Google Earth, and webcams to physically see the ships in action.

GMRS –The ‘Other’ Citizens Band – Part 2
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

GMRS is a fun and useful aspect of Part 95 communications, seemingly as far removed from Class D CB as you can possibly get. And, while GMRS can be enjoyed without repeaters, having a well-placed and performing machine in your area makes it even more so. In this installment, Cory explains the hardware needed to set up such a repeater; how to start a local GMRS club, what the likely costs of will be, and he takes a looks a some successful GMRS clubs in different parts of the US.

The Hams Behind the Fender Guitar Legend
By Richard Fisher KI6SN

Gary Gray W6DOE’s Uncle Leo became a ham in about 1931 or ’32. “I’m not sure he ever renewed his license,” Gary told Richard Fisher in an interview. “He was most likely on the air using CW . . . There wasn’t much phone back then. He did a lot of electronic work as a ham.” One of the things Leo Fender, who held the first W6DOE call, recounted to Gary was how he started a career in audio by building amplifiers for public address systems. The rest, as they say, is musical history. With meticulous attention to musical and electronic detail, the Fender guitar and amplifier legend was born.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Howard County, Indiana and Monitoring Airborne TETRA

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Scanning Smaller Federal Agencies

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
US DGPS: Bad News and Good News

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
Getting Started with Digital GPS Decoding

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Still in the Box? Put it on the Air!

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Earth-Moon-Earth Communications

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Radio Fun with an Uncooperative Ionosphere

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Obsessing about Awards and School Club Roundup

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Space Weather: Interfering with Global Positioning Satellites

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Andrew Yoder
Halloween Shortwave Pirates and Global Pirate Weekend

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Listening to Shortwave and Internet Radio

Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Stormy WX and an End to Some DGPS

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
WSPRs on the Band

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
The Triple-Conversion Puzzle: Hammarlund HQ-180A

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Tools of the Trade: Antenna Work Essentials

Radio Horizons
New Digital Radio Mondiale Receiver

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.

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.

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

TSM Reviews: LD-5 HF Ham Radio QRP Transceiver
By James Hannibal KH2SR

The LD-5, made in USA by LNR Precision Inc., is an amazing little QRP, 5-band SSB/CW amateur radio transceiver that’s small and light enough to fit in just about any backpack, making this one of the most portable SSB, multi-band, HF rigs currently on the market. James puts this little rig through its paces on a trip down the length of the US west coast with pleasing results.

Vacation Scanning on the Rails
By Eric Beheim

For scanner enthusiasts, traveling by rail offers an opportunity to monitor the radio communications that are being sent and received onboard their trains. These communications include conversations between the train’s crewmembers, conversations between dispatchers and the engineer, and the periodic reports from radio alarm detectors. Listening in on these transmissions not only helps to make the trip more interesting, but also provides greater insight into what it takes to keep a passenger train running in a safe and timely manner.

China Radio International: Evolution of a Shortwave Radio Station
By Fred Waterer

China Radio International is one of the largest broadcasting agencies in the world, as befits one of the world’s economic and military superpowers. Today’s CRI is a mainstream voice of Asia, portraying a sense of order and normalcy. One could easily mistake a current broadcast from China as being from BBC or Radio Japan. This is in stark contrast to broadcasts of past decades, which mirrored the chaotic political situation in the country. Fred looks back at his many years of listening to the radio voice of China.

CB Radio and More: Two-Way Radio No-License Alternatives
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

There are many facets to the communications receiving hobby—shortwave listening, scanner monitoring, exploring utility stations and more. If you develop the urge to transmit and hold conversations with others, we typically think about earning an amateur radio license and exploring all it has to offer, which is quite a bit, indeed. However, there are some avenues to enjoying two-way communications that you may have overlooked such as CB (HF), GMRS and FRS (both UHF) and MURS (VHF). In this series of articles, we’ll explore these options and find ways to get as much enjoyment out of them as possible.

A Classic Dozen: When it comes to Vintage Ham Gear, what’s in a (Great) Name?
By Richard Fisher KI6SN

Over many decades, there have been scores of radio manufacturers that have come-and-gone or are thriving yet. Here are a dozen whose products, in one way or another, qualify as “vintage.” You will find many of their classic radios are not only still on the air every day, but readily available, some inexpensively, in today’s vintage market. Richard traces the origins of some venerable radio names.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Madison County (MO), Fire Service & Amtrak

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
When Federal Frequencies aren’t Federal

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
When the Going gets Tough, the Tough Tune the Radio

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
Army MARS and TSA PACTOR Network Changes

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Evangelists and Cheerleaders

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Juggling VHF/UHF Contests and a DIY Antenna for 2-Meters

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Let’s Talk!

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Radio and TV via FTA Satellite on Intelsat 21

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Did He Really Do it?

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Rob Wagner VK3BVW
Something Old, Something New: Kenwood R-5000 and Tecsun PL-680 Receivers

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Top Shortwave Programs and a Tiny Change in Time

Amateur Radio Astronomy
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
Using FITS Viewers with Radio Astronomy Images

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Contributor’s Guide to TLZ

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Wakening the Knight: Allied Radio’s TR-106 6-Meter AM Transceiver

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Antenna 101: Review of the Basics Part 2

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.

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

Touring the WJZ Transmitter Site in Bound Brook, New Jersey—1925
By John F. Schneider W9FGH

This month, John takes us on a tour of WJZ, NBC’s Blue Network station in New York, which debuted on October 1, 1921. Founded by Westinghouse Electric, the station was originally located in a shack, accessible only by ladder, on the roof of a Westinghouse factory located at Orange and Plane Streets in Newark, New Jersey. This was Westinghouse’s radio station – preceded by KDKA in Pittsburgh and WBZ in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 500-watt WJZ transmitter was an exact duplicate of the one built for KDKA.

TSM Reviews: Yaesu FTM-3200DR Digital/Analog 2m Transceiver
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

In mid-March, Yaesu surprised just about everyone with the announcement of a new transceiver, capable of analog FM and System Fusion operation. The FTM-320 (DR/DE) is a 2-meters only, 65-watt radio, with front-facing speaker and a simple black-on-amber, dimmable display. Its small dimensions mean it can fit just about anywhere. With a current street price of $180, he believes many hams are destined to be looking for just such a spot.

How to Become an EMI Detective
By Mark Haverstock W8MSH

In a world full of electronic technology, it’s inevitable that there will be an increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI), especially on HF bands. Computers and their peripherals are the biggest offenders, causing a host of problems for those of us in the radio hobbies. Not far behind are the infamous AC power supplies known wall-warts and power bricks. And don’t forget the plasma televisions! Mark shows how to diagnose your EMI problems and how to fix them.

Tube Tester Basics: Understanding and Restoring Emission Testers
By Rich Post KB8TAD

It’s useful to have at least one tube tester around for basic checking, especially for tubes for which you have no spares or as a relative measure of quality. But, all tube testers make compromises in testing. The most basic tester and the one most commonly seen is for emission which measures the cathode current relative to its target average. The typical emission tester also includes a test for shorts and leakage between the elements of a vacuum tube. Leakage and shorts are always tested first since an emissions circuit and meter can be damaged by a shorted tube.

Free-To-Air Satellite Update Mid-Year 2016
By Mike Kohl

Change is a constant in the field of Free-to-Air (FTA) satellite-TV. While some channels continue as they have for nearly two decades, others, particularly the last of the DigicipherII subscription channels may be on life-support. FTA satellite-TV expert, Mike Kohl, reviews all of the C and Ku-band satellites viewable to North American locations and explains what you might expect to find on those channels.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
APCO P-25 Explained; Scanning Creek County, Oklahoma

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
DMR Scanning Finally Here!

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
HF Fax: Radio with Pictures

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
Update on NATO STANAG4285 2400 baud HF Modem Activity

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Digital Dayton

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
ARRL June VHF Contest

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Old Trees, Old Towers, and Living to a Ripe Old Age

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
FM Mayhem Part 2: A Little Help from a 16-Element Quad-Stacked Array

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
The Solar Wind

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Keith Perron
Inside the Voice of Korea

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Greek, Country, Gospel Music and More

Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Change is Inevitable

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
472-479 kHz (& Vicinity) Update

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Finishing the Hammarlund HQ-129X Part 3: Those Modifications

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Antenna 101: Let’s Review the Basics

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.

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

TSM Reviews: Finally, a Mobile Shortwave Radio that Works
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

Every scheme to receive shortwave radio inside the typical sedan or minivan has its shortfalls, some far greater than others. Now there is a product on the market that not only makes listening to shortwave in the car possible, but actually easy. Shortwave listening guru, Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL, literally takes the new BST-1 mobile shortwave receiver for a spin.

Monitoring Russian HF Military Networks
By Tony Roper

This month, military monitoring specialist, Tony Roper, is sticking with the current theme of monitoring the Russian military networks, starting with yet another mission by the Russian Air Force with a pair of their Tu-160 Blackjacks circumnavigating the UK, down into the English Channel between England and France. Then he follows elements of the Russian navy, tracking them as far as Antarctica, all from the comfort of his home listening post in Scotland.

Wi-Fi Radio Primer Part 3: Two Wi-Fi Radios
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

In April Thomas discussed what makes Wi-Fi radios “tick”––their ability to find radio stations via radio station aggregators. In May he took a quick look at various Wi-Fi radio manufacturers whose models use proper aggregators with market longevity, with reviews of the C.Crane Wi-Fi and Sangean WFR-28 Wi-Fi radios. In the finale, he looks at two completely different Wi-Fi radios—the Grace Digital Mondo and the Amazon Echo.

Your TV System is Changing – Again!
By Mike Kohl

Remember the Great ATSC digital TV conversion of 2009? Now, it’s about to happen again, this time with ATSC 3, a new digital TV scheme that will also require “repacking” the Over-the-Air TV band—all for the benefit of Internet delivery over wireless devices. Mike tells us how this will affect us all.

TSM Reviews: Icom IC-7300 Button and Knob SDR Transceiver
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

In a world of increasing noise, requiring even better filtering and signal processing than ever before, Software Defined Radio (SDR) is rapidly becoming the logical way to go. Icom’s introduction of the new IC-7300 is shaking up an HF transceiver market that has been complacent for the last 15 years or so. Mark notes, “With the 7300, you get the benefits of direct conversion SDR without the rig being tethered to a computer. This makes it easier for portable and field use.”

Your New CB “Good Buddy,” the SDR Dongle
By Mario Filippi N2HUN

TSM regular contributor, Mario Filippi N2HUN, is always finding new uses for the inexpensive SDR dongle. This time he has turned his attention to the world of Citizens Band radio. He recalls the colorful history of CB in the US and listens in to stalwart CB operators today from around the country and across the Atlantic, undeterred by propagation and the declining solar cycle.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
New Scanner News; Ocean City, Maryland

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
More Summer Vacation Scanning

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
Spring 2016 “Numbers” Update

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
Reader’s Questions and an Update on US SHARES NCS PacTOR Network

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Beer-Budget Digital Repeater Project

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
June: The Month of VHF and Above Contesting

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Tales of Junk Boxes and Counterfeit Parts

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
FM Radio Reception Part 1: Stalking the FM Band in a Time of Excessive Translators and Boosters

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Propagation and Field Day 2016

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Andrew Yoder
NYC FM Pirates; Atlantis Radio on MW and FM Pirates in China

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
New SW Programs and Korea: North vs. South

Amateur Radio Satellites
By Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF
Yet More AMSAT History

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Summer Strategies for LW DX

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Another Heavy Hammarlund HQ-129X Part 2: Voltage and Alignment

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Antenna Improv: Portable and Temporary Antennas

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.

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

Wi-Fi Radio Primer Part 2: Review of Stand Alone Wi-Fi Radios
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL

Wi-Fi radios, by and large, look like traditional radios; they typically have backlit digital displays, front panel buttons to recall memories, and an internal speaker. They function like them, too, in that they play radio stations––but there’s where the resemblance stops. Streaming lnternet audio, and their dependence upon an aggregator to do this, sets them entirely apart. This month Thomas looks closely at some popular Wi-Fi radio choices to find the good, the better and the expensive.

Piggy Bank Ham Radio Part 2
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

Last month, Cory introduced you to the possibilities of getting involved and having fun with ham radio on the HF bands—using (among other things) CW (Morse code), some ingenuity and networking with fellow hams to get started—all within a target budget of less than $100. This month, he explores some of the details of putting together your first station, including a simple antenna you can build, complete with an inexpensive QRP tuner for just $25 as well as tips on making that first CW contact.

Saving AM Broadcasting in North America
By Mike Kohl

For decades the AM broadcast industry has slipped further and further behind what it thought was its main competition: FM broadcast radio. Now, with satellite radio and Internet streaming taking more market share with each passing year, AM radio is frantically looking for a way to bail out a sinking ship. Mike outlines some of the options available to the oldest sector of the broadcast industry through regulation and market incentives. But, will any or all options be enough?

Becoming Radio Active when the Rubber Hits the Road
By Richard Fisher KI6SN

Many hams spend more time in their cars than in their shacks, leading to the notion of going mobile and not just for 2-meters. But it’s not nearly as easy as you might think. Trying to get an HF signal out of a moving, noisy, metal shack using impossibly short antennas are only a few of the difficulties to be overcome. Richard examines the mobile operations of a few of the most successful road operators to find out how to do it right.

TSM Reviews:
Comet CA-500 MKII Antenna Analyzer and A Pair of Cans for your Radio Pleasure
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

There’s an old saying in ham radio: if you can’t hear ‘em, you can’t work ‘em! A good pair of headphones (sometimes referred to as “cans”) can make the difference in working DX or just being enjoying a QSO in a noisy home environment. Mark takes a look at two popular headphone sets: Audio Technica’s BPH1S broadcast headset and Heil Sound’s Proset Elite amateur radio headset. Both have their advantages and both are under $200.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Calvert, St. Mary’s (MD) and Lewis (NY) Counties

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Summer Vacation Scanning

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
HF in Death Valley

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
International ALE Networks

HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
New DV Gear from the LMR World

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Summits on the Air

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Forgotten Antenna Fundamentals and Other Curious Tidbits—Part 4

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Channel Master’s FlatWave TV Antenna; Help for 3M’s WorkTunes Radio

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Jeff White
Spanning Two Continents and the Mediterranean: Turkey and Cyprus on Shortwave

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
“Isle of Music,” BBC, RHC and More

Amateur Radio Astronomy
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
Revisiting Radio Jove with a Low Cost Computer

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Longwave Beacons: the Ideal DX Target

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Not Another Heavy Hammarlund HQ-129X!?

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Antenna Height Above Ground

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