For nearly a century, we have all read and learned a lot from the ARRL Handbook for radio communications. How many have you owned? Read more
Tag: hamradio
My First Truly Terrible Radio Receiver
I often write about wonderful shortwave receivers. So, it is only fair to recall my first truly terrible radio receiver from 1965. Read more
Curate Technical Ideas for Ham Radio Hobbyists
We need a journal to curate technical ideas – good ones – for ham radio hobbyists. Does QST magazine still meet that mission? Read more
D Layer Absorption – Big Radio Sponge
Ionospheric D Layer absorption attenuates radio signals, mainly below 10 MHz. Here is how it is caused and when. Read more
Why Ionosphere Virtual Height is Important in HF Propagation
You have probably heard people talk about ionosphere virtual height. What is it and why is it important for HF propagation? Read more
Reading QST Magazine for Fifty Years
I have been reading QST magazine for more than fifty years, since I was first licensed in 1967. How has it changed over time, and why? Read more
Oblique Radio Rays Bend Back to Earth
So, how exactly do oblique radio rays bend as they transit the ionosphere and return to earth? Let’s find out. Read more
Radio Wave Refraction in the Ionosphere
Radio wave refraction depends on density of free electrons and frequency. Skip distance is tied to refractive index and height. Read more
Understand Radio Waves in Various Media
Let’s understand radio waves, and how they behave is different media including solid wire, free space and plasma. Read more
Basic HF Radio Propagation Refresher
Let’s do a level set on basic HF radio propagation through the ionosphere and around the world. Read more









