Observations, Experiments, Discussions about Amateur Radio
The Kenwood TS-530SP is among some of the most popular hybrid rigs from the 80s which are still in service today. I purchased mine from N1QQV who got me into the hobby and who is now a silent key. The radio has sentimental value and operating it is like stepping back in time.
If you’ve heard of FT8 and wonder why this digital mode has become one of the most popular digital modes, but you question “why?” or you don’t have interest in it, read this post. It might provide some insight into what it is and why it’s so popular.
I hear many QSOs quite often from older amateurs who were around before these digital modes became so popular who don’t have any interest in FT8. I often wonder if it’s because they don’t see the purpose of it and how it fits into the hobby, or if they find it too much of a technical challenge to start using it.
Using CAT and VB-CABLE, put your SDR to work on HF with WSPR
Packet radio is still a popular mode for APRS and Winlink, to name a few uses. With many forms of packet including hardware and software options, it’s worth exploring.
CW is still a very popular mode, and even though it is no longer required on any of the amateur radio license exams, learning it is a challenge worth taking on.
Powerpole connectors make for a convenient and simple way to interconnect all of your equipment to your power sources.
Connecting multiple rigs to a single tri-band antenna can be done using duplexers and/or triplexers. I’ve connected my FT-991A and TH-9000D to my CX-333 triband base antenna.
The ARRL offered an HF Kits EFHW kit which I decided to try out. This was my first kit and I had some good results with the build.
Alinco took a gamble producing an HT for two of the least common bands in the United States (and perhaps globally) when they released the DJ-G29T. It’s a fantastic HT and the only commercially sold amateur radio for the 33-cm band.