AmateurRadio.com

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

Going Portable with Amateur Radio Satellites
By Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF

Low solar cycle productivity and plummeting propagation got you down? Keith tells us that the sky’s the limit when you start operating the amateur radio satellites. It’s a low-power mode that is also versatile. But, don’t worry, working the AMSATs doesn’t require a lot of room at home, can be fairly inexpensive to set up and you can take this part of the hobby on the road too!

Community Emergency Response Teams: Are You Ready for a Disaster?
By Alan M. Vigeant N6HPO

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a nationwide volunteer program supported by FEMA that educates people about disaster preparedness for natural and man-made hazards that may impact their lives when least expected. CERT classes are offered free to the public and go hand in hand with amateur radio training. Alan tells us how effective CERT is and how we can all help.

Outernet Update: Free, One-Way Internet Now Via L-Band Satellite
By Kenneth Barbi

Outernet is the low cost, one-way Internet service that delivers radio and news feeds to nearly the entire planet for free via L-band satellite. Designed to meet the minimal needs of those without modern infrastructure (grid power and Internet access), all you need to start taking advantage of this service is a $79 kit that includes antenna, LNA, SDR radio and CHIP single-board computer. Kenneth Barbi has the latest update on this evolving service.

Computers and Ham Radio: Part 010
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

From the Radio Shack TRS-80 to the Apple II, to IBM’s first PC and the inevitable first PC clone, personal computing started out as an expensive device with very limited capability. From its initially slow start in the 1970s, Cory takes us through the fits and starts of the second phase of this fledgling industry that would change the radio hobby forever.

Motorized Ku-Band Satellite Reception
By Mike Kohl

There are dozens of Ku-band satellites in the skies over every part of the world. And, while Free-to-Air satellite TV systems are very inexpensive, you miss most of the action by not being able to steer your dish from satellite to satellite. But, not all small dish motors are the same. Mike shows us the best way to motorize your own FTA satellite system.

Scanning America
By Dan Veeneman
Marin County (CA), North Dakota and Radio Shack Bankruptcy (Again)

Federal Wavelenghts
By Chris Parris
Federal Aviation Administration

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman
New Life Evolves on MARS

Shortwave Utility Logs
By Hugh Stegman and Mike Chace-Ortiz

Digitally Speaking
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
The Ground We Talk On

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
New Radios and Antennas for VHF and Above

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Morse Code: The Original Digital Mode is Still Hanging On

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Baseball on the Radio: 1921 and 2017

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
An Ice Age and Disappearing Sunspots?

World of Shortwave Listening
By Rob Wagner VK3VBW
Radio Australia: A Possible Return?

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
VOA at 75; WBCQ, RRI, and RNZI

Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
A System for a System

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Turning the Tables: Reverse Beacon Network

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Philco 46-350: The “Tambour Door” Portable

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
HF Antenna “Comfort Zone”

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.

One Response to “The Spectrum Monitor — April, 2017”