Here are some resources to learn the basics of soldering, tool use, and building of electronic kits. This is a supplement to the 2021 Winter Build Project, but is a great resource for anyone trying out soldering for the first time! Soldering Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering Multimeters and Measurements Electronic Tools Kit Building Kit […]
How-Tos
Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio
Book Review “Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio” is a great book for folks with some background with microcontrollersand have a knack for improvising and troubleshooting. That may sound like a left-handed complement, but read on. It was submitted to ARRL for publication two years before it hit the ARRL Store. Every schematic was redrawn, which […]
2021 Winter Build Project
There has been some recent interest in kit building within the ranks, so I’ve created a course that I think would be both fun and educational. As I can confirm a schedule and method for meeting (Zoom or YouTube stream), I will update this page and send announcements via the club email reflector. Sign-up has […]
Fox (Transmitter) Hunting
Amateur Radio SPORT? (Updated Aug 9, 2021) Next Fox Hunt scheduled (August 14th 2021) at Randolph Park, Dublin, VA – 9:30am. No vehicle needed. Arrive early (8:30 ish) for some ham talk. Meet at the back shelter. Click for (OLDER) PDF of event details. That’s right… get on your running shoes, sweat bands, and start […]
Amateur Radio Resources at the VT Library
Selected Resources on Amateur Radio and Basic Electronics from the University Libraries at Virginia Tech from Edward Lener, College Librarian for the Sciences, AK4IS, More information on how to borrow these resources can be found here. Antenna Physics : An Introduction by Robert Zavrel, Jr.Call Number – TK6565 A6 Z38 2020 Antenna Theory : Analysis […]
Satellite Ops – Where to Start?
So far, I’ve yet to make a satellite contact using the FM repeaters available. Seems I’m either not fast enough, the repeater is down, or my equipment isn’t right. There’s always SOMETHING that works against me! EDIT: Finally made a contact on Oct 8, 2020 on SO-50! Sample audio in the article below! So, why […]
How Does the J-Pole Work?
J-Pole antennas are one of the true works of electrical engineering that gives us a smaller footprint vertical with no need for a ground plane. But how do these things work? Here is a great presentation from Dr. Ed Fong WB6IQN explaining. Other articles and information on J-Poles available here: The DBJ-1: A VHF-UHF Dual-Band […]
History of Digital Modes – Dave Casler KE0OG
Really good introduction to the history of amateur radio digital modes by Dave Casler, KE0OG.
Programming the Baofeng HT
Need some quick instruction for your Baofeng UV5R? Here is a quick summary of how to program that HT for simplex and repeater operation. Thanks to K2COE for the information!
Building Superheterodyne Receivers 101 with Chuck Adams, K7QO
Soldering iron calling your name? Here’s an excellent YouTube series from Chuck Adams, K7QO that shows you step-by-step how to construct and test the “Universal HF Receiver Kit” from kitsandparts.com. http://www.kitsandparts.com/receiver.php These videos go through each set of components, showing you how to build the kit in steps, and how to test each step along the way. […]