This week, we’re looking at a few practical builds and some useful tools for the shack. There’s a good write-up on constructing a 70cm collinear, something that often comes up for local repeaters or even satellite work, offering a decent gain figure from common materials. For those interested in portable HF, we have a couple of magnetic loop designs; one covers 40m-17m, emphasizing portability, while another focuses on broadband reception, which can be quite handy for monitoring. We also found a CW contest simulator, Web Morse Runner, which lets you dial in bandwidth and speed, a good way to keep those skills sharp without needing to be on the air. Finally, a new supplier, Chatt Radio, has popped up, worth a look for parts and gear.
Web Morse Runner
Web Morse Runner is an online CW contest simulator. It allows users to configure CW speed and receiver bandwidth, making it useful for practicing Morse code skills in a simulated contest environment.
Guide to Building a Foldable 40m-17m Magnetic Loop Antenna
This guide details how to build a foldable small magnetic loop antenna. It covers the 40m-17m bands and is particularly suited for QRP and portable operations in urban settings.
Build a 9 dB, 70cm Collinear Antenna from Coax
This resource provides instructions for constructing a 9 dB, 70cm collinear antenna. It uses RG58/U coaxial cable and PVC pipe, including necessary calculations and assembly steps for a DIY project.
Broadband Magnetic Loop Antenna for Portable HF/Longwave Reception
This article describes the construction and performance of a compact, untuned broadband magnetic loop antenna. It is designed for portable HF and longwave reception, specifically mentioning use with the ATS MiniRadio.
Chatt Radio: Ham Radio Equipment and Accessories Supplier
Chatt Radio is an online retail platform that supplies amateur radio equipment and accessories. It offers a wide selection of gear, components, and software for the ham radio community.