RF Gain vs. Squelch: Mastering Signal Control
Understanding RF gain vs. squelch, these two controls help refine how you receive signals, allowing for better clarity and reduced noise. While both affect how incoming signals are processed, they…
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Evolution of Amateur Callsigns: From Chaos to Clarity
The evolution of amateur callsigns developed over time into symbols of individuals, community, history, and regulation in the world of amateur radio. These unique sequences of letters and numbers allow…
Ameritron AL-811 MARS Mod: Expanded Frequency Capabilities
Performing the Ameritron AL-811 MARS Mod is simple with a little knowledge and basic tools. The AL811 amplifier is limited to traditional ham radio bands before the modification. For those…
Frequency Modulation Mode
Frequency modulation (FM) encodes information in a radio signal by varying the frequency of the carrier wave. Unlike amplitude modulation (AM), which alters the signal’s amplitude, FM maintains a constant…
Military Suspended Ham Radio: Wartime Communication Control
During times of war, governments often take extraordinary measures to secure national communication channels. One such measure, taken during World War II, was when the Military Suspended Ham Radio. This…
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) in Ham Radio’s
In ham radio, the automatic gain control(AGC) monitors signal strength that can fluctuate due to atmospheric conditions, interference, or station variability. To maintain consistent audio levels, most modern receivers use…
S-Units in Ham Radio Meters
Understanding S-Units in ham radio, operators rely on signal strength reports to assess communication quality, and S-units play a crucial role in these evaluations. Found on signal strength meters (S-meters)…
Radio Power Conversion: Watts, Db, and S-Units
With amateur radio power conversion, converting watts to decibels (dB) and S-units is essential for understanding transmitter power, system gain, and signal propagation. Moreover, this conversion helps operators compare power…
Optimizing HF Bands: Frequency, Propagation, and Time-of-Day
Amateur radio operators rely on understanding the properties of HF bands when optimizing HF bands for maximize communication effectiveness. Frequency wavelength, which is inversely related to frequency, plays a critical…
2 Meter/70 CM Bands: Which is Better
Comparing the 2 meter/70 cm bands, amateur radio operators can gain valuable insights into the capabilities of each frequency range. Both bands serve crucial roles in communication, yet they differ…