CW Contesting (Part 1): Getting Started
Most days, the CW bands are kind of quiet. But on certain days, suddenly there are stations tuning up, conducting short QSOs, and then at the top of an hour […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Technical Articles
Technical Articles
Technical Articles
Using Transformers for Impedance Matching vs. Isolation
Transformers for Impedance Matching One of a transformer’s important functions is impedance transformation. Impedance transformation is just changing the ratio of voltage-to-current in one winding to a different ratio of […]
Clifton Labs / Technical Articles
Audio Transformer Measurements and Modeling
(Editor’s Note: The following article is from the archives of experimenter, inventor, friend of the Ham Radio community, and founder of Clifton Laboratories, Jack Smith, K8ZOA (SK).) This page presents […]
Technical Articles
Guide to Low-Power Contesting (Part 2): Techniques and Tips on Making QSOs
In Part 1 of our series on low-powering contesting, we looked at the basic equipment you’ll need. Today, let’s touch on a few tips on competing, contest resources, and opportunities […]
Technical Articles
Guide to Low-Power Contesting (Part 1): Getting Started
Field Day was fun, wasn’t it? Maybe you’re thinking, “I can do that from home!” And so you can—this discussion is about how to have some success with a modest […]
Technical Articles
What To Look For in Your First Mobile Rig
After getting a license, there are so many things to learn! One of the biggest (and the most fun) is what you learn as you choose your radio. This article […]
Technical Articles
What is a Repeater and How Do You Use One to Communicate?
Want to get the best possible coverage in a marginal location, like inside a building or down in a valley? A repeater system can rebroadcast your transmitted and received signals […]
Technical Articles
DXing on the VHF+ bands: Classic Skills on New Frontiers
Most Hams associate the term “DX” with the HF bands. It’s understandable. After all, as conventional wisdom states, the HF bands allow international, global communication, while the VHF bands are […]
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles
Building a Yagi Antenna? Why You Should Consider a Hairpin Matching System
For Yagi antenna do-it-yourselfers, one of the most important and problematic steps in the building process is deciding on the best method of matching the feedpoint of a low-impedance Yagi […]
Technical Articles
Guide to Choosing the Right Mobile VHF/UHF Antennas and Mounts
You’ve got a mobile radio and separation kit. You’re ready to begin installation. Now comes the most important question—where do I mount the antenna? Sometimes I think it’s a conspiracy […]
