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ChatGPT designs a Fan DiPole

I asked ChatGPT the following: Design a fan dipole antenna that covers 80, 40,20 and 10 meter bands. Give all the specs and measurements. ChatGPT said: Designing a multi-band dipole antenna to cover the 80, 40, 20, and 10-meter bands … Continue reading

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Amateur Radio Investments: A Lifeline When All Other Alert Systems Fail

In times of crisis, when communication systems falter and disaster strikes unexpectedly, having a reliable means of communication can mean the difference between life and death. The recent events in Maui have once again highlighted the critical role that amateur … Continue reading

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What is SDR (Software Defined Radio)

Software-defined radio (SDR) is a communication system that uses software to replace traditional hardware components, such as mixers, amplifiers, filters, and modulators, which are commonly used in traditional radio systems. In SDR, the signal processing is carried out in software, … Continue reading

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Difference between HF, VHF and UHF

HF, VHF, and UHF are different frequency ranges used in radio communications. Each range has unique characteristics that make it suitable for different types of applications. HF stands for High Frequency, which covers the frequency range from 3 to 30 … Continue reading

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Antenna dB – The basics

Antenna dB (decibels) are a unit of measure used to describe the gain, or amplification, of an antenna compared to a reference antenna. Decibels are a logarithmic scale that expresses the ratio of two power levels, and they are commonly … Continue reading

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Isotropic antenna

An isotropic antenna is a theoretical antenna that radiates equally in all directions, with a radiation pattern that is completely symmetric around its axis. It is often used as a reference antenna in radio frequency (RF) engineering to compare the … Continue reading

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Best frequencies to use at night

The best frequency to use for long distance radio communication at night depends on several factors, including the location of the transmitter and receiver, atmospheric conditions, and the time of year. Generally, for long-distance radio communication at night, the lower … Continue reading

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Magnetic storms for beginners

I’ve always been a fan of the television series called “Nova” on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and I found a great video clip discussing magnetic storms and its effect on our planet. It is with unequivocal certainty that any significant … Continue reading

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RCAF’s Antenna fundamentals

In 1959, the RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force – made a serie of interesting training video clips on Antenna Fundamentals, with the help from the Canadian National Film Board. I love these old training documents, they hold a gold mine of … Continue reading

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Radio transceiver effects on car electronics

When I first began experimenting with VHF/UHF radios, I quickly discovered the unwanted effects of radio signals on electronics in my environment. A simple 10 watts transmission in the 2m or 0.70 cm bands would activate motion detection lights in … Continue reading

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