Baluns vs. Impedance Transformers
There is a lot of confusion about baluns—where you need to use one, what the balun is supposed to accomplish, and even what a balun really is! The term “balun” […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Technical Articles
Technical Articles
Technical Articles
Guide to Low-Band DXing– When and Where
Most Hams start out DXing on the HF “high bands” of 20 through 10 meters. There are lots of stations active, the antennas are manageable in size and effective height, […]
Products & Product Reviews / Technical Articles
Ham Radio Antenna Options for Home and Portable Operations
Most Hams dream of giant towers with large rotatable antenna arrays perched on top. However, many Hams can’t put up such workhorses. Some common issues we run up against are […]
Products & Product Reviews / Technical Articles
Choosing and Installing Fuses
All non-product graphics are used courtesy of the American Radio Relay League from the 2020 Edition of the ARRL Handbook and the referenced QST articles. Fuses are components that “just […]
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles
Video: Easy Steps to Deploying an End-Fed Antenna in the Field
SOTABeams’ Richard, G3CWI, demonstrates how to set up an end-fed antenna in the field using a SOTABeams Carbon 6 Compact Ultra-Light Telescopic Mast and Bandspringer Midi HF Portable Antenna. As […]
Satellite Operation / Technical Articles
5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Satellites
Manners are a good thing. They help us make a good impression and build our reputation at work, school, or any social gathering. We generally like hanging out with positive […]
HAM Radio 101 / Technical Articles
CB Versus Ham Radio: Three Reasons They Aren’t the Same
1. Licensing or Lack Thereof Ham Radio requires operators to be licensed. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating the airwaves. Without a license, […]
Technical Articles
Video: Can FT8 Be Used in the Field?
Attention hilltoppers and chasers! In this video installment of Radio Adventures with SOTABeams’ Richard, G3CWI, he chats with amateur operator Tom, M1EYP, who shows how FT8 could be used with […]
Technical Articles
SWL in the Digital Age—One Way to Get Youth On Board
Based on previous articles in Amateur Radio magazines and on-air conversations, many of you, like me, may have gotten into Amateur Radio via Shortwave Listening (SWL). Some of you may […]
Technical Articles
Guide to Amplifiers and Contesting—What’s Right for Your Station?
When it comes to contesting, are you ready to jump from “Little Pistol” to “Big Gun”? A “Big Gun” refers to a station equipped with all the bells and whistles, […]
