Hammo Can 2.0 PART II

 Okay so the previous post in this series may have been a bit TOO ambitious.

NOAA Weather Internet Radio

 Welcome back to the blog. In today's entry, I am creating a project that further expands the reach of the NOAA Weather Radio system by utilizing the National Weather Service's free, tax-payer-funded API.

Revisiting the Kenwood TK-705

 A project I've wanted to do since I found out this radio isn't transmitting anymore. Can I bring this back into service as a useful APRS and/or 2 meter radio?

Well we'll see, because here are the fruits of over 2 years of brainstorming.

I was wrong

 So far I have been very wrong about 2026 severe weather-wise. Around northwest Missouri, it has been a VERY active and scary year. These past weeks alone just proves why.

ASL Success Part 3

This just keeps getting better and better! Love this thing already.

Antenna Fundamentals 101: NVIS: The Missing Link

Early on in my ham radio adventure (and still to this day), I was very frustrated with the fact that I could never do DX on 80 and 40 meters. I mean, wasn't the whole purpose of ham radio supposed to be how far you could be heard?

In the past few days, I realized that I had actually unlocked an HF cheat code all this time. I've been using the bands wrong. Here's how.

FM Radio in a Mint Tin

If you know me, you know I like to build electronics. It doesn't always have to be radio-based, as I've built many things using Arduinos and Raspberry Pis. Today, I want to put something together that is both practical, fun and creative! And one day, it could even be useful in emergencies when information is crucial.

Part 2 ASL Success

Back again with another update, this time, with good news! Still fighting a few things but it IS useable!

AllStarLink Success!!!

Well Happy New Year to me! (and to you reading this, of course...)

Attempting to Repair a Uniden PRO500D CB: Part II

Picking up last time where we left off, I bought a mid-1980s Uniden radio off of eBay for around $10. After a quick smoke test, I found that there was no transmit audio or receive audio. I swapped out what appeared to be a shorted 7808 8V regulator and a TDA1905 audio amp chip. The receive audio came back to life, but I was still in the dark with no transmit audio. Still, a step in the right direction.

More CB Goodies: AM to CB converter

 Another impulse buy, but one that has lots of historical significance and one that sparked my curiosity. What came in the mail this time?

Hammo Can 2.0

The project that was supposed to be but evolved into something else.

If you recall a few years ago, I built a portable battery box using a $5 plastic ammo can. It works phenomenal with my CB and ham radios. If I need a 12V source to test circuits with, I can also use it as a portable power supply. But what about my original idea?

Cobra 21 LTD Classic Mic Conversion

From one of my eBay escapades, I picked up an older Cobra 21 LTD Classic. It was a really clean radio and I really like it actually! A step up from the Cobra 19 but with Cobra's Dynamike control. I received it without a microphone, however it didn't matter what microphone I tried. I would always get around 20 to 30% peak modulation. What's going on?

Collapsible 17ft 20-10m antenna (PLUS 80 and 40)

 Another antenna plan, this time on a bit of a budget.

After doing so much reading on the Rybakov antenna, I thought it was time to give a go for the lower bands. There are many options for 80 and 40 meter antennas, but a loaded vertical seems to be what I'll be going for. Two custom made coils and a collapsible 18.5' antenna is all you'll need for this project. The result? An antenna that would most definitely be suitable for DX. If Chameleon antennas can make it, then so can you.

LOOK!!! IT'S A BABYCOBRA!!!

Guess what Owen bought himself for Ava? A baby Cobra 19 Mini!

Quick Fix: Broken Membrane Keypads

 I'm sure many of you have some radios laying around that need the membrane keypad fixed on them. Lucky for you, I might have just the solution, and it's with things you probably have around the house.

HamGeek usDX 40/20/15 meter QRP radio

 Because I bought one so you do or don't have to.

Baofeng BF-T1

 The Baofeng UV5R had a baby I guess...

The Rybakov: Fishing for DX

In the past few days, I've been looking at building another antenna. My random wire is nice, but it's just not cutting it on the HF bands for DXing. 80 meters is a no-go for DX constantly and while I can get it to tune, it just has too much NVIS propagation. Time for something different, and I may have found the answer.

My Adventures with a Kayak

 Kayaking never really appealed to me. Yeah, it was fun to try on a summer lake trip but that was about it. It was a novelty, something I'd only do once in a while. Until 2 weekends ago, which convinced me to actually take it up as a secondary hobby!