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 • July 2023 Vol. 99 No 7

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New from Icom

RADIO ENTHUSIAST BOOKSHOP

Dream Team: Icom IC-705 and Software SDR-Control • With SDR-Control, Marcus Roskosch DL8MRE has written an ingenious piece of software that leaves nothing to be desired for the active radio amateur, especially with an IC-705. For example, it integrates digimodes just as seamlessly as logbooks and (electronic) QSLing. Nils Schiffhauer DK8OK is enthusiastic.

Paul Heiney M0HWV • Roger Dowling G3NKH meets broadcaster, writer, Atlantic yachtsman and novice farmer Paul Heiney.

Celebrating Amateur Radio on Stamps • Ray Howes G4OWY, an established stamp dealer, recommends chasing amateur radio stamps as a relaxing alternative to DX chasing!

The C2V Innovative Mini-Meter • Richard Constantine G3UGF evaluates a tempting VSWR/Power Meter from China.

NEWS EXTRA

145 Alive! • In a packed column Tim Kirby GW4VXE reports a very busy month on VHF/UHF from 40MHz through to 481THz!

OSS Radio Spies in Germany 1944-45 • Tony Smith G4FAI relates a little-known tale from World War II, with details of the communications used.

General Coverage Receiver (Pt II) • We complete the 1970 receiver project from the legendary F G Rayer G3OGR.

Preppers • Joe Chester M1MWD starts a new series, looking at US Preppers and what they have to teach us about off-grid operating.

Looking Back • Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX and his contributors report plenty of recent activity, but the coming month looks like being quiet in terms of DX.

Norbreck 2023 Nice to be Back! • Georg Wiessala enjoys his ‘local’ radio show, reporting back from the 2023 Blackpool Rally of the Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association

FT4 and more on SDR • This month Mike Richards G4WNC has an update on FT4 activity plus his continuing dive into SDR technology where he’s delving into spectrum displays.

TinySA Ultra Spectrum Analyser • Keith Rawlings G4MIU invests in a TinySA Ultra and uses it to find sources of QRM.

10m on a CB • Tony Jones G7ETW ‘repurposes’ an old CB radio for the amateur 10m band.

Using Old Home Theatre Centre Speakers for Amateur Radio • Amateur radio speakers can be expensive. Steve Ireland VK6VZ/G3ZZD explains how used home-theatre speakers can provide a cheaper, better sounding alternative.

Radio Operator on the Eastern Front • David Harris reviews an account by an ordinary soldier of life in the German Army as a radio operator.

BBC Coronations (Pt III) • Keith Hamer and Garry Smith continue the special series looking back at the BBC’s coverage of Coronations since 1937. There is a Coronation vintage television advertisement from the archives. Also featured are the continuing sagas of the BBC Cymru-Wales Centenary and 100 years of BBC Scotland-Alba. And they continue the series about the development of Swiss Radio and Television since 1933. In addition, a reader has kindly posed a challenge regarding 198kHz transmissions!

Rallies & Events • All information published here reflects the situation up to and including 19th May 2023. Readers are advised to always check with the organisers of any rally or event before...