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Presents DJ5IL's personal amateur radio station, detailing his journey as a licensed operator since 1973. The resource covers his **shack setup**, including an Elecraft K4D, Icom IC-7610, and various vintage transceivers like the Drake 2-B, along with a SPE Expert 1K-FA amplifier. Antenna systems include a PRO.SIS.TEL RD1524T rotary dipole for 40/20/15/10m at 15m height, an 18m vertical dipole with an SGC SG-230 tuner for 3.5-30 MHz, and an inverted-V dipole for 80m. The site features a **QSL gallery** showcasing his custom card designs and outlines his QSL policy, emphasizing the exchange of unique, personalized cards over generic confirmations. It also includes a detailed operator's biography, tracing his early fascination with radio, obtaining his license at 16, and memorable QSOs, such as a contact with his blood-relative W3NZ. The resource also delves into the historical significance of amateur radio's role in pioneering shortwave communication following the 1912 International Radiotelegraph Convention, which initially relegated amateurs to wavelengths of 200 meters and shorter. DJ5IL's philosophy on "ham spirit" is discussed, stressing the unpolitical nature of amateur radio as a global fraternity.

The RI1FJL DXpedition to Franz Josef Land, planned for August 2026, will deploy at least five high-power stations operating 24/7 across all **HF bands** for 15 days. The team of six operators, including R7AL and UA3QLC, will depart Murmansk on August 7, 2026, aboard a 20-meter sailing yacht, aiming for Heiss Island (IOTA: EU-019, QTH Loc.: LR80tn, CQ zone: 40, ITU zone: 75). Operating modes will encompass CW, SSB, and FT8, with specific FT8 frequencies like 1836.0 kHz and 14095.0 kHz designated for MSHV software. Equipment includes EE SUNSDR2 DX and Elecraft K3 transceivers, paired with Expert 1.3K-FA power amplifiers, and a variety of antennas such as Spiderbeams and phased GPs for 40m, 80m, and 160m. The expedition emphasizes working distant regions and low-power stations, acknowledging the challenging Arctic conditions with average temperatures around 1-3°C below zero. The logistical planning includes securing accommodation at the Geophysical Polar Observatory on Heiss Island and navigating potential ice conditions for zodiac landings. QSL information specifies ClubLog uploads at least daily, with OQRS available for direct and bureau QSLs. Donors contributing $10 or more receive fast LoTW confirmation and direct QSL cards, while Platinum Donors of $100+ will have their callsigns featured on the QSL card. A special plaque is offered for two QSOs with RI1FJL on different bands or modes.

This article from the July 1976 issue of Radio REF discusses the trend of large antennas for ham radio operators on the low bands. It specifically focuses on a Yagi 2 element antenna for the 80m band, detailing its construction and functionality. The author explains how the antenna can be switched between directing signals towards the West or East using a switch at the station. The article also provides technical details on the lengths of the director and reflector elements, and how they impact the antenna's performance. A useful resource for hams looking to build or understand Yagi antennas for the 80m band.

Details the construction and performance of a phase-controlled receiving array, specifically a **MicroSWA** variant, optimized for QRP low band fox hunting on 40M and 80M. The resource documents the author's iterative design process, addressing significant regional noise challenges encountered during 0100-0230 UTC fox hunt periods. Initial experiments involved a director wire on a 40M vertical, yielding limited improvement, prompting a shift towards advanced null-steering techniques. The project leverages concepts from Victor Misek’s "The Beverage Antenna Handbook" and Dallas Lankford’s extensive work on phased receiving antennas for urban lots. A key modification involved integrating a new passive phase control box and a push-pull **Norton common base preamp** using 2N5109 transistors, designed for high third-order intercept performance to maintain weak signal integrity amidst strong adjacent signals. The system incorporates Faraday-shielded transformers with RG174 primaries on -75 ferrite cores, housed in ABS plastic pipe. Performance tests confirmed the MicroSWA's ability to produce deep, steerable nulls, achieving approximately 30 dB noise reduction on 160M, 80M, and 40M. This enabled detection of QRP signals undetectable on conventional transmit antennas. The final unit includes front panel controls, a 10-11 dB preamp, and a robust power conditioner, demonstrating effective noise mitigation for challenging low band QRP operations.

This page provides a detailed example of the modeling and analysis of an 80m delta dipole antenna with a 600-ohm bifilar feedline. The model is based on antennas used by the RAF from 1940 to 1970. It covers the original model specifications, conductor mass calculations, resonance frequency observation, geometry adjustment steps, and final antenna dimensions. The content includes theoretical formulas, resonance frequency calculations, and practical steps for adjusting the antenna for optimal performance. Overall, it serves as a practical guide for hams looking to understand and optimize the performance of a delta dipole antenna for the 80m band.

The XW4DX DXpedition website documents the amateur radio operation from Laos, a country ranked #98 on Clublog's Most Wanted list. This resource provides insights into the planning and execution of a significant DXpedition, including antenna choices like _Hexbeams_ at 14m, a 4-square for 40m, and a top-loaded vertical for 160m. The team, comprising operators such as _F4BKV Vincent_ and _F2DX Patrick_, focused on challenging paths, particularly towards the North American East Coast, where Laos is #41 most wanted. Operational constraints included prohibitions on 6m, 30m, 60m, and 80m bands within Laos, necessitating a focus on other HF frequencies, especially 160m and 40m. The expedition utilized up to five stations simultaneously, with equipment transportation being a major logistical challenge, partially mitigated by direct shipments from _Spiderbeam_ and donor support. The expedition ran from November 16th to 27th, 2023, with the complete XW4DX log uploaded to LoTW by December 23rd, 2023. This site serves as a historical record of their efforts to put Laos on the air for DXers worldwide.