Search results

Demonstrates RadioComm, a freeware Icom transceiver/receiver controller program for Windows, which facilitates memory programming, spectrum analysis, and interfacing with extensive frequency databases. The software allows users to program their Icom radio's memory, generate radio-frequency spectra, and connect the radio to a computer-based frequency database. It supports various Icom models, offering bidirectional control where virtual controls mirror the transceiver's physical controls and vice versa. The program's spectrum analysis feature, exemplified by tuning the WWV time standard at 15 MHz, provides insights into the AM passband, a capability often found in high-end Icom transceivers. While RadioComm offers these functionalities, the author, Paul Lutus, notes that it has been superseded by JRX (a virtual radio) and IcomProgrammer II (a memory programming utility), which are described as superior and compatible with more platforms. RadioComm is available as a 516 KB self-extracting executable, requiring an Icom CT-17 RS-232 interface box for radios that need it. Users can also customize the plain-text database to include unsupported Icom models. However, the author explicitly states that no user support is provided for this free program.

This page describes the design and construction materials W8WWV used to build a coaxial cable trap. A coaxial cable trap is a parallel resonant circuit that is usually inserted in an antenna element to enable multiband operation.

S Meter Lite is a no-cost program that displays your receiver's S Meter signal strength in a window by W8WWV

This page describes the loading coil (inductor) that W8WWV built for my center-loaded 160 meter band (1.83 MHz) vertical antenna.

A free application that captures DX and WWV spots from up to 5 internet clusters and a local packet cluster. DX Spots are merged and stored in a Spot Database on your PC, enabling you to monitor, sort, and filter them in real time; known LotW participants are highlighted, as are needed stations. WWV spots are plotted to show SFI, A, and K over the last solar revolution.

An illustrated and complete guide to soldering PL-256 coax plugs

Cluster monitor is a tool for web and telnet clusters monitoring. The program shows spot history, the latest spots are shown in a separate window with full information about the DX, announcements, WWV propagation, and full sorting and filtering capability. Full support for AALog and AAVoice by RZ4AG, DXAtlas by VE3NEA. Integrated dial-up support. Price USD 25

Acc1 Breakout Box, Fused Power Cable with Accessory Tap, Microphone Breakout Box, CI-V Interface, Using the Auto Sound System for Receiver Audio

CCUser DX Spot Client is a robust Windows-based Telnet and TNC program for DX cluster systems like CC Cluster, DX Spider, and others. It offers features like multiple Telnet connections, advanced DX spot filtering, bearing/distance display, and integration with LoTW and eQSL. Users benefit from band-specific color coding, missed spot recovery, and detailed DX data, including zones and grid squares. Additional functionalities include chat groups, DX alarms, and WWV data display. It supports logging and contest tools via Telnet, DDE, and RS-232 outputs.

This page describes two modifications W8WWV made to his AL-1200 amplifier. The mods were obtained from Ameritron, so they are official.

The resource provides an in-depth analysis of the W6NL 40m _Moxon Yagi_ antenna, utilizing a NEC-2 model to simulate its performance. It details the antenna's design parameters, including element lengths and spacing, and explores critical operational aspects such as feedpoint impedance, SWR across the 40-meter band, and radiation patterns. The document systematically presents the model's setup and the methodology for evaluating the antenna's behavior in different environments, including free space and over real ground. Performance data derived from the NEC-2 model illustrates the antenna's forward gain, front-to-back ratio, and beamwidth. For instance, the model predicts a free-space gain of approximately **6.5 dBi** and a front-to-back ratio exceeding **20 dB** at resonance. Comparisons are drawn between free-space performance and operation at various heights above average ground, demonstrating the impact of ground proximity on take-off angle and overall efficiency. The analysis also touches upon the antenna's bandwidth characteristics, indicating its suitability for the entire 40-meter band with acceptable SWR.

A Hex-Shaped 160 Meter Receiving Loop Greg Ordy W8WWV

W8WWV Greg Ordy 80 meter inverted vee wire antenna

GeoAlert-Extreme Wizard maintains updated geophysical indices and displays the information in a friendly - at a glance - manner. GeoAlert-Extreme Wizard features a Global Maximum Usable Frequency, MUF, map that creates and manages predictions from the VOACAP engine. Displayed geophysical indices include: solar wind Bz component, speed and pressure, current WWV type indices and predicted solar flux, planetary A-Index and probability of major storms at middle latitudes for the next day.

Broadcast via WWV and WWVH at 18 and 45 minutes past the hour. This message is updated every 3 hours. Reports current Solar-terrestrial indinces, Solar Flux, A-index, K-Index, forecast for space weather storms. Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center

Using bencher and Kenwood TS-50

Interfacing ICOM radios with PC soundcard by W8WWV

Presents the K9AY Loop, a compact, directional receiving antenna system optimized for low-band operation, demonstrating its design and construction. The resource details the physical and electrical simplicity of the terminated loop, which consists of a wire loop, a ground rod, a 9:1 impedance-matching transformer, and a terminating resistor. It compares the K9AY system's real estate requirements to an equivalent EWE array, showing it needs only one-seventh the area while providing identical directional patterns. The article includes schematics for the relay box and control unit, specifying components like DPDT relays, steering diodes, and a 43 material toroid for the matching transformer. The resource provides practical construction steps, including material lists for two 85-foot wire loops, insulators, a copper ground rod, and a 25-foot support. It discusses the critical role of the terminating resistor (RTERM), with values ranging from 390 to 560 ohms for 160m and 80m optimization, respectively. Performance evaluation methods are outlined, suggesting listening tests with local AM stations or WWV to verify front-to-back (F/B) ratios of 2 to 3 S units. EZNEC modeling results for vertical and horizontal radiation patterns are presented, showing a broad front lobe and a deep rearward null at 30-40 degrees elevation, crucial for reducing local noise and QRM.

Amateur Radio Association of Nebraska - (Formerly Hastings Amateur Radio Club) is a group of dedicated volunteer amateur radio enthusiasts located in central and south central Nebraska.

The DXCC World Map web application is a modern and interactive mapping tool designed for shortwave radio enthusiasts. It showcases a high-quality world map along with the Sun's position, sunrise and sunset times, the terminator, coordinates, QTH locator, azimuth, azimuth map, current DXCC list, Aurora, and WWV Geophysical Alert Messages. Additionally, it provides the SFI, X-Ray, Kp, and Ap indices.

Low-frequency (LF) radio time signals, operating primarily in the 40–80 kHz range, are broadcast by national physics laboratories for precise clock synchronization. Transmitters like **JJY** (40 kHz, 50 kW; 60 kHz, 50 kW), RTZ (50 kHz, 10 kW ERP), MSF (60 kHz, 15 kW ERP), WWVB (60 kHz, 50 kW ERP), RBU (66.66 kHz, 10 kW), and DCF77 (77.5 kHz, 50 kW) cover vast geographic areas, often several hundred to thousands of kilometers. LF signals offer distinct propagation advantages over higher-band transmissions such as GPS. Their long wavelengths (3–6 km) enable effective diffraction around obstacles like mountains and buildings. The ionosphere and ground act as a waveguide, eliminating the need for line-of-sight and allowing a single powerful station to cover extensive regions. Ground wave propagation minimizes ionospheric variability effects on transmission delay, and signals penetrate most building walls effectively. Robust and low-cost receivers, often priced at 20–30 USD/EUR, are widely used in radio clocks. These receivers typically comprise a tuned ferrite core antenna, a receiver IC (e.g., Atmel T4227, U4223B, MAS1016) for amplification and AM detection, and a microcontroller for decoding the time signal and phase-locking a local clock. Specific components for DCF77, MSF, and WWVB are readily available from vendors like HKW Elektronik and Ultralink.

Clarifies the intricate process of calibrating the _Elecraft K2_ dial, addressing common user challenges and lively discussions on the Elecraft reflector. Wilhelm, W3FPR, dissects the K2's PLL synthesizer design, chosen for its low phase noise, kit-friendly duplication, and cost-effective components. The resource emphasizes the critical role of the 4000.000 kHz reference oscillator's accuracy during CAL PLL, CAL FIL, and CAL FCTR functions, noting its dependence on temperature and crystal stability for optimal performance. Explaining the K2's frequency display, the document reveals it relies on microprocessor-driven look-up tables generated by CAL PLL for VFO values and CAL FIL for BFO values. In SSB and RTTY, these combine, while CW and CWr modes also factor in the sidetone pitch. The author details inherent limitations, such as the 10 Hz increment resolution of the dial and varying PLL step sizes—from 3 Hz on 160 meters to 10 Hz on 10 meters. BFO increments range from 20 to 35 Hz, collectively limiting practical dial accuracy to within **20 Hz** with diligent effort, or **30 Hz** for a slightly less demanding task. The guide outlines a four-step calibration procedure: setting the reference oscillator, running CAL PLL, running CAL FIL, and setting all BFOs. It highlights the _N6KR Method_ as a particularly easy and accurate approach, requiring only the K2 and a known frequency source like WWV for zero-beating, eliminating the need for external test equipment.

Ini this article the author compare the Icom 756 and Icom IC 756 PRO. Comparison is very detailed and includes S Meter Calibration, Microphone Gain, Transverter Jack, the noise blanked, the spectrum analyzer, audio quality, notch filter, compression meter, noise reduction, sensivity and filter settings along to many other features making this article a must for who want to compare this two models

Fans of NIST signals cite benefits including understanding the near-Earth environment

This project details the construction of a compact, circularly polarized Quadrifilar Helix Antenna (QHA) designed for 146 MHz operation. The antenna features a 1/2λ1/2λ helical design with a 2.6:1 aspect ratio, providing 4.5 dB gain and a spheroid radiation pattern. It is ground plane independent and compatible with both vertical and horizontal polarizations, making it ideal for terrestrial and space communications. The design includes step-by-step instructions for building the antenna using readily available materials like aluminum rods, PVC pipes, and RG-58 coaxial cable. The antenna's performance has been validated through comparisons with commercial omnidirectional antennas, showing superior results.

The resource details HF time broadcast stations, categorizing them into "Standard Frequency & Time Signal Broadcast" and "Time Signal Broadcast" types. Standard Frequency & Time Signal Broadcasts, like those on **2.5 MHz** and **5 MHz**, originate from official time observatories and offer continuous standard frequencies, time signals, and often voice announcements, potentially including meteorological data. These stations operate in the SW band. Time Signal Broadcasts also provide continuous time signals, typically with voice announcements, but without the strict observatory origin requirement. The list includes specific frequencies such as 3.33 MHz, 4.996 MHz, 7.85 MHz, 9.996 MHz, 14.67 MHz, 14.996 MHz, 15.006 MHz, and 20 MHz, alongside the primary standard frequencies. Each entry specifies the station's ID time, call sign, geographic coordinates, and operational notes, including languages like _English_, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, and Spanish. Some entries also indicate decommissioning dates, such as the station on 3.33 MHz scheduled for 2026-06-22.

Current space weather condition gauges, with solar indices taken from the latest WWV report

NIST radio station WWV broadcasts time and frequency information 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to millions of listeners worldwide. WWV is located near Fort Collins, Colorado, about 100 kilometers north of Denver. The broadcast information includes time announcements, standard time intervals, standard frequencies, UT1 time corrections, a BCD time code, and geophysical alerts

This page provides a detailed guide on how to receive WWVB 60 KHz time signals using the Everset ES100 module with an Arduino Due microcontroller. It explains the background of time standards and the significance of WWV radio stations in maintaining these standards. The content is useful for ham radio operators interested in time synchronization, scientific research, navigation, and radio communications. The article is written by Keith Greiner, who shares his project inspired by his passion for the subject. For more projects by the author, visit the provided links.

Measuring the Frequency Accuracy and Stability of WWV and WWVH by Michael A. Lombardi. An examination of just how accurate these frequency standard stations are.