RadCom November 2014, Vol. 90, No. 11
THIS EDITION IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE ONLINE
We apologise for any disappointment
This edition is currently being converted to our HTML5 online viewer, which will bring enhanced readability, download speed and picture quality
Errata – SMD project photo
Unfortunately, Photo 3 was accidentally missed from the Simple SMD Project article (page 40) – please see here.
News and Reports
6 RSGB Matters
Including the IARU Region 1 Conference, exam question workshop, Inspire working group, Club of the Year rules, new Membership portal, joiners and rejoiners, QSL matters and congratulations
12 News
All the amateur radio news
14 New Products
The latest news from the market place
82 Around Your Region
Our regular roundup of club diaries and news
94 RSGB President visits Northern Ireland
Photo report from the West Tyrone ARC Convention
Read this edition online
You will need your RSGB membership login, follow the link below or click the cover image to your right.
Reviews
22 Icom ID-5100 dual band D-Star transceiver
Touchscreen technology and Bluetooth connectivity in a digital VHF/UHF transceiver examined by Mike Richards, G4WNC
26 Shure BRH440M headset and Mike-Link
Steve Nichols, G0KYA looks at a new headset and interface combination from the USA
34 Book Review
A bumper crop of books ranging from the ARRL Handbook 2015 thorough Meteorology and Antennas Mastered to Underground Structures of the Cold War, all reviewed by Giles Read, G1MFG
45 SSB Electronics SP200 preamplifier
John C. Worsnop, G4BAO looks at this 144MHz band mast head switched preamp
Features
30 Getting started in… radio astronomy, part 1
Paul Hyde, G4CSD explains how you can study galactic radio emissions from your own back garden
44 National Hamfest 2014
Chairman of the Lincoln Short Wave Club Mark Holmes, M0ZLE, reports on another successful event
68 RSGB National Field Day
Quin Collier, G3WRR reports on the conditions, the weather and the winners of this year’s NFD
Technical Features
18 Homebrew
Designing and building directional couplers with Eamon Skelton, EI9GQ
40 A simple SMD project
Dave Powis, G4HUP describes a panoramic adapter for your radio using surface mount technology
54 Solar powered Raspberry Pi receives FUNcube-1
Rapidly-developed project by sixth-former Max Callé (SWL), with Prof. Ben Allen, M0BZE and Ivan Ivanov, M0YGM
58 Tropospheric Ducts, part 2
Two real-world microwave examples conclude the article by Dr Marcus C. Walden, G0IJZ
76 Design Notes
Andy Talbot, G4JNT looks at a new wide band SDR, makes a Gold code generator for spread spectrum use and looks at practical medium power attenuators
78 Moving On
John Welsh, G0NVZ explains the thermionic diode—the foundation of modern electronics
Regulars
91 Advertisers’ index
36 Antennas, Peter Dodd, G3LDO
74 ARDF, Bob Titterington, G3ORY
16 ATV, Dave Mann, G8ADM
66 GHz Bands, Dr John Worsnop, G4BAO
62 HF, Martin Atherton, G3ZAY
92 Members’ Ads, Rallies and Events, Silent Keys, Special Event Stations
95 Propagation, Gwyn Williams, G4KFH
72 Sport Radio, Steve White, G3ZVW
96 The Last Word
64 VHF/UHF, Richard Staples, G4HGI
Category: Front Page News, RadCom
