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Accurate frequency measurement is crucial for amateur radio operators, particularly when building or troubleshooting transceivers and test equipment. This resource details the construction of a _PIC microcontroller_-based frequency counter, providing a practical solution for precise frequency display. The design incorporates an LCD readout, offering clear visual feedback of measured frequencies. The counter can operate as a standalone unit, useful for general bench testing, or be integrated directly into a receiver. Its built-in offset functionality allows for seamless integration, enabling the display of the received signal frequency rather than the intermediate frequency. The project focuses on accessible components and construction techniques, making it suitable for homebrew enthusiasts. Key features include a measurement range up to **50 MHz** and a compact form factor.

a website by vu2fd with theory lessons, details on rules and regulations and planty of homebrew projects for radio amateurs, java calculators.

A project to homebrew a Lightning Detector

A magnetic loop antenna for the VHF band, featuring a high gain that can be compared to a quarter wave vertical antenna

A nice post on Make: on homebrewing a multiband antenna for amateur radio portable operations

An interesting article on guanella baluns that cover several aspects of homebrewing 1:1 and 4:1 current baluns by KN9B

Presents the construction of a 2-meter **Skeleton Slot Yagi** stack, detailing the design process and practical considerations for VHF operation. The author shares insights from building and testing this antenna, emphasizing its performance characteristics for local and extended range contacts. The project outlines the specific dimensions and materials used, providing a clear path for other radio amateurs to replicate or adapt the design for their own stations. The resource covers the unique aspects of the Skeleton Slot radiator, explaining how its geometry contributes to gain and pattern control. It includes discussions on impedance matching and feedline considerations crucial for optimizing power transfer and minimizing SWR. The article draws on real-world testing, offering practical results that validate the theoretical design. This project serves as a valuable reference for those interested in custom VHF antenna solutions.

An homebrew project of a full wave delta loop antenna for the 40 meters band with dimensione, picture and assembling instructions in Indonesian

Experimentig magnetic loop antennas for VHF and HF by M0UKD

Homebrew your PC sound card to radio interface with this circuit obtained from the pages of Ernie Mills WM2U.

The advantage of 5/8 wave antenna is that it has the lowest angle of radiation and has about 1dB more gain when compared to 1/4 and 1/2 verticals. So the 5/8 should be the favourite choice for DX.

Homebrewing dummy load by M0XPD

Stacking principles, with homebrew coax- and power-splitters by DK7ZB

Homebrewing a Gamma Match to tune yagi antennas

Practival project that contains two isolation transformers, one for AF from the tranciever to the line in on a soundcard, and one from the audio out of the soundcard back to the mic / data input of the radio. Both of which are variable inside the interface via two preset resistors.

An economical dipole for simple QRP HF homebrew rigs

A homebrew four elements log periodic antenna for HF bands

Top quality Microwave Phase Locked oscillators for DB6NT, DEMI and homebrew microwave transverters, and other support products.

An homebrew audio mixer for the ham shack by GW6ITJ

An 80m transceiver using just 14 parts plus crystal and earpiece

Homebrew Tubes/LDMOS amplifiers, Antenna, accessories, adventures in 9Q, DX, UN missions, Contests, and more.

A long picture gallery of a homebrew hexbeam antenna project

An home made FETer QRP transceiver for the 80 meters band

A DIY Automatic Band Decoder (ABD) project, designed for dual-radio operation, addresses the common challenge of integrating band data with older transceivers lacking dedicated outputs. This particular build utilizes an AVR AT90S8515 microcontroller and a 16x2 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) to provide band information, specifically targeting Kenwood rigs via a computer's LPT port. The design aims for cost-effectiveness while maintaining functionality, offering a solution for hams seeking to add automatic band switching capabilities to their station without significant expense. The project outlines the core components required, including the microcontroller, LCD, and an enclosure, noting that the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) fabrication and AVR programming might present challenges for some builders. It details the input requirements, such as a four-pin input and PTT for each radio, along with a 13.8V DC power supply. The decoder provides 2x6 outputs capable of sinking 500mA, suitable for controlling external devices like antenna switches or filters. Despite the original unit being damaged by a lightning strike in 2004, the author confirms its successful operation prior to the incident and mentions plans for a revised version. The resource includes a schematic in PDF format and images of the finished PCB and assembled unit, demonstrating the practical implementation of the design.

The author who works successfully via EME on this band wants to describe his own yagi design and give some of hints for the construction. by Heinrich F. Reckemeyer, DJ9YW

Presents a construction project for a 1:1 current balun, specifically detailing the _Sorbie Balun and Bottle Choke_ design. The resource outlines the winding technique, employing 4+4 turns of mini coaxial cable on a large ferrite core, and provides insights into the physical assembly. It includes specific material recommendations, such as the type of ferrite and coaxial cable, crucial for achieving the desired impedance transformation and common-mode current suppression. The content covers the practical steps involved in building the balun, from preparing the coaxial cable to securing the windings on the ferrite toroid. It also discusses the integration of the balun into an antenna system, emphasizing its role in maintaining pattern integrity and reducing RF interference in the shack. The resource offers a clear, step-by-step approach, making the project accessible for homebrewers. Illustrations and photographs accompany the text, visually guiding the builder through each stage of construction. The article concludes with performance expectations and considerations for deployment, ensuring the constructed balun functions effectively across the intended frequency range.

Ham radio Blog, focusing on homebrewing and testing antennas, rig mods and contesting.

A few pictures of an homebrew magnetic loop RTX antenna project, working from 30 to 12 meters with excellent results

Desgining crystal filters and find out crystal data by measuring it.

Solar power DIY kits. Homebrew your own solar power regulator, and power center.

Vhf and UHF homebrewers of hardware and antennas. Find help, idea, or someone with just the same interest as you.

AX.25 Packet Modem homebrew project on Arduino

DIY beacon for six meters band by K9MU

Amateur radio kits. Makers of the WinKeyer, their goal is to keep homebrewing and kit building alive.

A december 2003 QST article to Build a condenser microphone that will perform like the costly commercial units by KT4QW

Homebrew 30 meter full quarter wave vertical antenna.

Homebrewing special insulators with PVC and copper corona rings

This online project guide details the construction of a homebrew boom microphone system. It details the assembly of a microphone shell from a 3/4" PVC pipe section and an end cap, requiring a drilled hole for a snug fit of the electret or condenser mic element. The internal wiring schematic specifies a **2.2 K** resistor and a **47 uF** polar capacitor for signal conditioning, with a circuit diagram provided for integration with IC-706 series transceivers. The guide outlines the use of CAT-5 cable for internal connections, incorporating strain relief at the rear of the mic shell, and an inline 3.5 mm jack to facilitate an external _PTT_ line, designed for a foot-mounted switch. Further construction involves fabricating a microphone shock mount from a 2-inch PVC connector, detailing the creation of four "fingers" and the insertion of screw-eyes for attaching elastic bands, which are twisted 180 degrees for tensioning and vibration isolation. A foam wind screen is also incorporated into the microphone assembly, secured with adhesive. The boom arm itself is repurposed from an articulated architect lamp, with the original lamp assembly converted into a **60 watt** resistive load for testing power sources. Microphone cabling is secured to the boom arm using wire ties, ensuring sufficient slack at hinge points to maintain articulation. The boom base is mounted to a bookshelf, requiring specific positioning to achieve proper microphone placement in front of the operator. Performance evaluation of the microphone system is conducted through on-air audio signal reports from other amateur radio operators. DXZone Focus: Online Project Guide | Boom Microphone Construction | Electret Mic Element | PTT Line

A 70 MHz QRP transverter project

Homebrewing portable antennas for field day operations

Homebrew Amateur Radio 440Mhz Interdigital Bandpass Filter

Announces the retirement of Brand Electronics, a manufacturer specializing in **power meters** and various ham radio accessories, effective 2025. The company has served the amateur radio community for over 35 years, providing equipment for station setup and operation. The product line historically included accessories compatible with major transceivers from Icom, Yaesu, and Kenwood, alongside components and technical references for homebrew projects. Their offerings supported accurate RF power measurement, crucial for optimizing antenna systems and ensuring legal limit compliance. This notice serves as a final update regarding the company's operational status, marking the cessation of manufacturing and sales activities. The site provides no further details on product support or inventory liquidation.

A 50 MHz homemade RF spectrum analyzer

OZ9FW CDG2000 High-end transceiver homebrew project

Homebrewing a vhf bicone antenna with 8 clothes hangers and 4 feet of Sch40 non-metallic rigid conduit

Six meters is a great band for home built Yagis. The elements are reasonably small, but not so small that building tolerances are critical. With careful construction and detailed instructions, it is certainly feasible to build no-tune Yagis up to 432 MHz.

Some techniques on homebrewing yagi antennas by VK5AJL

Homebrewing an W3HH Antenna in french

SWR analysis of an Alpha-Delta DX-LB Plus antenna, configured as an inverted-V with the apex at 40 feet and ends at 15 feet, reveals specific performance characteristics across the HF spectrum. Measurements were conducted using a RigExpert AA54 antenna analyzer, scanning from 0.100 MHz to 54.000 MHz to capture full-range SWR plots. The antenna exhibits notably narrow bandwidths on 80 meters and 160 meters, attributed to its loading coils, necessitating precise tuning for optimal operation within these bands. Conversely, the Alpha-Delta DX-LB Plus demonstrates excellent SWR across the entire 40-meter band, indicating a broad resonance. Performance on 10 meters also shows favorable SWR, though tuning to a desired operating frequency is still recommended for peak efficiency. The article details the methodology and tools employed, building upon a previous "Part 1" analysis of a G5RV antenna, providing a comparative context for antenna evaluation. Practical experience with this multi-band antenna, particularly its loading coil design, highlights the challenges in achieving desired SWR across all bands without specific adjustments. The author's subsequent plans involve replacing the Alpha-Delta DX-LB Plus with a homebrewed 80-40-20-10m parallel **fan-dipole**, aiming for improved resonant characteristics.

An attempt to make a capacitor out of kitchen foil and cling film