A few weeks ago Thomas K4SWL emailed me a book recommendation and I’m so glad that I followed through with an order from Amazon.
The book arrived and I couldn’t put the darn thing down. It was far better than I’d hoped and was compelling on many different levels.
The gist of the story is this:
“Five days before Christmas 1943, a helpless, shot-all-to-hell American bomber pilot locked eyes with a German fighter pilot in an Me-109 over the frozen skies of Europe. The German pilot spared the life of the American, and both men would reunite and become friends 50 years later. Franz Stigler and Charles Brown started the war as enemies, but during a tense wartime encounter, both men discovered a higher call.”
The phrase “higher call” might seem to have a religious connotation but that is not the case here. It simply refers to the component of chivalry shown by the German pilot and the values with which he was raised.
By the first two chapters it was clear that the book is far more than what its brief description would indicate. Continue reading '“A Higher Call” – a (non radio) book review'»
I’ve had two weeks now to flex my new-found antenna modeling skills, courtesy of Antenna Modeling For Beginners by Ward Silver N0AX.
Long story, short – I like the book and consider it money well spent (although I spent significantly less than the cover price by buying from Amazon before they raised it).
For others who may be considering the purchase of Antenna Modeling For Beginners, there are a few things you ought to know.
While this book is a how-to on antenna modeling, it is more specifically a book on the free version of W7EL’s EZNEC antenna modeling program. I mention this because the book and the software go hand in hand – and the free version of EZNEC has serious limitations. Continue reading 'Review: “Antenna Modeling For Beginners”'»
I know of only three magazines in our hobby that seek a specific audience: QRP Quarterly, National Contest Journal and The DX Magazine. Over the years, I’ve subscribed to all three at one time or another and currently – and only recently – subscribe to the latter two.
I’ve also read QST, 73 Magazine and CQ Amateur Radio for decades.
To me, the mainstream magazines are less appealing since they have to target a wide audience. By definition that means that much of what they offer won’t apply to any one reader. In each issue of QST or CQ magazine, I may really enjoy one article and will look forward to perhaps two columns.
What’s written about some school classroom’s radio project is mildly interesting in the sense that I’m glad they’re being exposed to ham radio – but a near-identical article was published two months prior regarding some other school.
Rinse and repeat. Continue reading 'The DX Magazine'»
From ARRL’s website – add 10.50 for shipping within CONUS
Unless you’re really in love with the ARRL and want to give your money to them, you may want to consider Amazon instead when it comes to ARRL-published books.
For many a moon now I’ve wanted to learn antenna modeling. I’ve tinkered with the programs and read about a million online guides and examples…
But for me to learn antenna modeling, someone’s going to have to take me by the hand and tip-toe me through it.
Gently. Slowly.
Ward Silver N0AX appears to have read my mind – is there anything he can’t do? I like Ward’s writing style and am confident that this is exactly the book I need.
The new book by Ward is Antenna Modeling For Beginners, published by the ARRL in October 2012.
I came within a hair’s breadth of clicking the “Order Now” button but thought I’d do a search for online reviews first. I didn’t find any reviews but the search took me to another source for the book – Amazon. Continue reading 'Two very different prices for new ARRL book'»
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Although ham radio transmission was suspended in the US during World War II, there were no rules regarding reception.
Throughout the war, hams and shortwave listeners alike used their capabilities and equipment to perform a valuable and heartwarming service to a great many family members who had a loved one reported as “Missing in action” in Germany.
This almost always involved a member of a bomber crew.
In order to get Americans to listen to their propaganda, the Nazis realized there had to be something of value injected into their program for the intended audience.
Calling Back Home was a nightly 30-minute broadcast on the 31 and 49 meter shortwave bands from German stations DXP and DXB in Berlin.
Ten names of American prisoners would be mentioned in each broadcast along with pertinent info that would allow their family to be contacted by those receiving the broadcasts.
Hams and SWLs throughout the US dutifully tuned in and logged what they heard – often in the prisoner’s own voices – and then they wrote letters. Continue reading 'WW2: From POW camps to Hometown USA…via SWL’s and hams'»
From CQ Magazine, Oct 1972
Freely downloadable as a pdf file from Ade W0RSP:
The Five Watt QRP Movement in the US, 1968-81 is a 119 page look at the changes and personalities of QRP during the years covered.
Contributing authors include Doug DeMaw W1FB, Wes Hayward W7ZOI and others.
From back when QRPers shared their news via mimeographed newsletters, a look back at the sequence of events that led QRP from 100 watts to today’s 5 watt definition.
Contained within Ade’s ebook are snippets from various newletters describing circuits, QRP results and ads from Ten Tec’s pre-Argonaut days when $50 would buy a “completely wired” Power-Mite transceiver.
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Table of Contents
Part 1. K6JSS and the 100-watt QRP ARCI …………………………………………. 1
Part 2. QRP/8 Newsletter, QRPP CORNER Column, and THE MILLIWATT:
The Beginning of the Five-Watt QRP Movement in the US … 3 Continue reading 'New eBook from Ade Weiss W0RSP'»
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