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Articles & Books From H. Ward Silver
Article / Updated 07-20-2022
You can buy or build hundreds of gadgets for your ham radio to enhance whatever style or specialty you choose. Here’s some information on the most common accessories that you need to get the most out of your station.
Mikes, keys, and keyers for your ham radio
Most radios come with a hand microphone, although if you buy a used radio, the hand mike may be long gone or somewhat worn.
Article / Updated 07-20-2022
QSL cards, which are the size of standard postcards, are the ham radio equivalent of a business card. They range from simple to ornate. DXpeditions often creates a multi-panel folding cards with lots of information and pictures from the rare location. QSLs are primarily exchanged for HF contacts and are used to qualify for operating awards.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-25-2022
If you’re new to ham radio, these articles contain information that new ham radio operators should keep handy while gathering experience. You’ll find these references to be just what you need while learning to navigate the radio bands and make contacts. Bookmarking the websites in your web browser will help while you’re online, too.
Respond to the call of ham radio Despite its old-school reputation, amateur radio is on the rise, and the airwaves are busier than ever. That’s no surprise: being a ham is a lot of fun, providing an independent way to keep in touch with friends, family, and new acquaintances around the world—and even beyond with its ability to connect with the International Space Station!
Article / Updated 04-19-2019
Your ham radio license is really a license to study. Take advantage of every learning opportunity, including learning from your mistakes. (You’ll have plenty!) Each problem or goof is also a lesson.Masters got to be masters by starting as raw recruits just like you and then making one improvement at a time, day in and day out.
Article / Updated 03-25-2019
Don’t be intimidated by the rapid-fire action that occurs during ham radio contests. Contesting is unusual as a sport, in that the participants score by cooperating with one another. Even archrivals need to put each other in their logs to earn points. All the participants, including the big guns, need and want to talk to you.
Article / Updated 04-30-2018
Portable operation of ham radios is seemingly getting more popular every week. The “self-contained” style involves carrying or packing the entire radio package, including a power source, to the location where you plan to operate. You can hike, bike, or paddle to your station site, combining outdoor action with ham radio!
Article / Updated 04-30-2018
Putting together your first ham radio station can be exciting, confusing, and challenging all at the same time! Here, you will find tips and tricks to help you build and use a station that grows with your needs and helps you operate effectively and confidently. The tips might save you some expense, too!
Be flexible
Don’t assume that you’ll be doing the same activities on the air forever.
Article / Updated 04-30-2018
Building your own ham radio gear — even just a simple speaker switch — is a great ham tradition. By putting equipment together yourself, you become familiar with the operation, repair, and maintenance of your existing equipment.If you’re just getting started in electronics, start your building adventures with kits.
Article / Updated 04-30-2018
Maintenance involves taking care of all your ham radio equipment, as well as fabricating any necessary cables or fixtures to put it together. Having these tools on hand allows you to perform almost any electronics maintenance task:
Wire cutters: Use a heavy-duty pair to handle big wires and cables, and a very sharp pair of diagonal cutters, or dikes, with pointed ends to handle the small jobs.