Elecraft K4: Worth the Wait?
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH
The Elecraft K4 is billed as a high-performance, direct-sampling, SDR transceiver covering 160-6 meter on transmit and 100 kHz to 54 MHz receive. Like the K3 series, 10-watt and 100-watt models are available and internal or external transverters to cover bands above 6 meters can be added. After waiting five months for delivery, Mark wondered, “Was it worth the wait?”
Radiosondes Over New Mexico
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
In 1945, following the first atomic bomb test in Alamogordo, New Mexico, strange things seemed to be happening out in the desert. Then in 1947 the local newspaper started a global sensation when it ran a report about an alien spacecraft having landed near Roswell, New Mexico. Stan Nelson speculates that the craft was simply a radiosonde balloon landing, part of Project Mogul, another secret program from this most secretive part of the US southwest.
The New UKRAA VLF Receiver
By Georg Wiessala
Over the last few years there have been many articles written about Very Low Frequency (VLF) signals—manmade and those occurring naturally. Now there’s a new VLF receiver from the UK Radio Astronomy Association. Georg get the chance to use this software defined radio in exploration of the VLF range.
Report from Radio TechCon UK
By Chrissy Brand
Radio TechCon is a conference for the UK radio and audio industry held in London since 2016. It’s aimed at radio professionals and attracts presentations from industry leaders including radio industry consultants and government officials from the BBC. Chrissy reports on the presentations, some of which speculate on the very future of the radio industry.
Broadcast Auxiliary Frequencies: What they are and Why You aren’t Supposed to Listen
By Chris Parris
Everyone is familiar with tuning in over-the-air radio and TV stations as well as public service transmissions from police and fire departments, civilian and military aircraft in the sky, NOAA weather service transmissions and so much more. Chris asks, “Did you know that there are other frequencies licensed to radio and TV stations that aren’t used for direct broadcasting? And did you know they are technically illegal to listen to?”
A Closer Look at Oscilloscopes
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
As the electronics industry advanced throughout the decades, the capabilities of oscilloscopes necessarily advanced as well. Cory walks us through the various features that oscilloscopes have today and what you should look for if you’re in the market for one. He also explains that yesterday’s oscilloscopes are still valuable, especially to today’s electronics hobbyists.
Scanning America
By Dan Veeneman
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
Federal Frequencies for Everyone
Milcom
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW
From the Darkness: A Sky Full of Military Call Signs
Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman
Leap Seconds: 2023 Is About Time
Shortwave Utility Logs
By Mike Chase-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman
The World of Shortwave Listening
By Jeff White, NASB Secretary-Treasurer
The World’s Shortwave Broadcasters Together Again for the First Times Since 2020
The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Winter Holidays on Shortwave
Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
AM DX Antennas: Long Wires and Loops Big and Small
Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Where are We in Solar Cycle 25?
Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
“Doorstop” Experiments: Gonset Converters and CBs
Digitally Speaking
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
Interesting Times
Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Does Anyone Fear the FCC? And Frozen-North Antenna Report
VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Recent ARISS Contact