Dusting off the crystal scanner

Do you have a crystal scanner that you just can't find a crystal for? Perhaps you have one that has your area's old analog public safety frequencies. Not sure what to do with it except throw it in the trash? Well today, I might just have the solution to keep it and the radio itself out of the landfill.

CB to CW Part 4: Wireless UI

Let me ask you something...

What is the number one thing that you have with you at all times? A pencil? Earphones? How about your cellphone?

In today's post, I'm going to be simplifying my CW CB radio to take away the OLED and rotary encoder to provide you with an easier user interface accessible via a web browser. After this, you should have a roughly-speaking software defined radio!

CB to CW Part 3: The Final Installation

 I graduated college!!! Now what am I going to do?

I DID IT!!!

 I FINALLY DID IT!!! After 6 years of off and on practice, I now can say that CW is my new favorite mode.

Radioless AllStar Node

In my previous post, I discussed the possibility of building a personal AllStar node instead of a community-wide one. This would not only be easier to make but would also be less time-constraining and could more than likely be done in a day.

BBS Packet Radio

 Okay, so my AllStar node was a bit too...ambitious. Therefore, Project AllStar has been cancelled :( I might make a personal radio-less AllStar node just for me.

That's okay, though, because I have a better and easier project that even YOU can do! And this should still benefit my community too!

Balancing the Unbalanced Truth

Today and after many years of operating with an end fed antenna, I have learned that these antennas give off lots and lots of unwanted radiation, also known as common mode currents. So what's the answer? New antenna? More coax, less coax? Read on and I'll hopefully answer these questions!

Welcome to the Shack crib!

Happy 2025 everyone!

After a solid year of HF inactivity, I am proud and happy to say that my FT-891 is back on the air in a rather permanent matter! The minute our basement was finished up (and I discovered, despite being old, our house is properly grounded!!! Hooray!!!), I began brainstorming ideas on how to build my HF station in the lower dwellings of my house.