Practical Wireless

Practical Wireless is aimed at the licensed radio amateur and caters for the amateur radio hobby. Practical Wireless is a ‘doing’ magazine focusing on the practical and constructional side of amateur radio and appeals to all ages. Written by expert authors and contributors, Practical Wireless reflects developments in the technology, participants, activities and licensing framework of the hobby.

Practical Wireless • March 2024 Vol. 100 No. 3

Keylines

FREE GIFT WORTH £71* • Offering advice to amateur radio enthusiasts since 1932

Newsdesk • Have you got something to tell our readers about? If so, then email practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

WRTH and more • David Harris takes a look at several new frequency and listening guides, including the latest WRTH.

A Report from India • Amateur Radio and Satellite Communication were promoted in the prestigious Microwave Antenna Propagation Conference (MAPCON) 2023 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India from 12 to 14 December 2023. Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP reports.

Comet CHA-250HD/BXII Multi-Band HF Vertical • Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX reviews a multi-band vertical antenna that could be the answer if you are short of space.

Quansheng UV-5K developments • Tim Kirby GW4VXE starts with the latest on the Quansheng UV-5K, but also has some great reports of VHF tropo activity.

ARDF from the Offset • Billy McFarland GM6DX has another easy-to-build project, this time to help with ARDF.

Mark Stuckey G0SQK • Roger Dowling G3NKH meets a familiar face from the BBC’s award-winning show The Repair Shop.

Rallies & Events • All information published here reflects the situation up to and including 23rd January 2023. Readers are advised to always check with the organisers of any rally or event before setting out for a visit. The Radio Enthusiast website www.radioenthusiast.co.uk has the latest updates, please check it regularly. To get your event on this list, e-mail the full details, as early as possible, to: practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Operating from the Balkans • Chris R. Burger ZS6EZ embarks on a running, flying and radio tour of the Balkans.

Using those fixed power supplies (Pt I) • Dr Samuel Ritchie EI9FZB has, over the years, accumulated a number of fixed power supplies. In a set of three articles he looks at maximising the utility of these types of supplies.

More on Pi and VarAC • This month Mike Richards G4WNC has a packed column with a diverse range of topics, including a Pico HF transmitter, Pi NVMe Drive, data modes tip for newbies and a VarAC install guide!

How to use a basic oscilloscope • Chris Murphy M0HLS focuses on one of the most useful pieces of test equipment in the homebrewer’s workshop.

Looking forward to March • March usually brings an upturn in HF conditions and Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX has news of what to expect.

A simple light weight two-element beam for 10m (PtII) • Keith Rawlings G4MIU completes the construction and testing of his new 10m Yagi, and tries out an over-the-top antenna for his Quansheng!

Birth of the superhet • Dr Bruce Taylor HB9ANY describes the early development of one of the most important inventions in the history of radio.

BBC coronations Pt XI • Keith Hamer and Garry Smith ccontinue the special series looking back at the BBC’s coverage of Coronations since 1937. There is also a Coronation vintage television advertisement from the archives plus the first instalment of a two-part series describing the Ekco company. There are more unique details about Roland Pièce, the pioneer of Swiss radio broadcasts, from family archives supplied by Pierre Yves-Pièce. The series charting the rise and fall of BBC 198kHz transmissions focuses on the BBC’s decision to transfer the 5GB Long-Wave Station from...