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Practical Wireless - May 2021

Construct a ‘fun’ receiver, a linked dipole or a quartz crystal oscillator. Learn the ins and outs of FT8 operating. Read about the CR150/B40D. And more.

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Practical Wireless - May 2021

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What's in this issue?

Keylines: Don discusses the recent missive from Ofcom.

News: PW’s monthly roundup of news from the UK and internationally, including new products, club news and recent events.

Review – QCX Mini: Daimon Tilley G4USI builds the latest incarnation of the QCX transceiver. 

Making Waves: Steve White G3ZVW explains the working of passive radar.

An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to FT8, Part 1: Steve and Eva Telenius-Lowe, PJ4DX and PJ4EVA, describe their experiences starting on FT8.

Kits & Modules: Geoff Theasby G8BMI has two more low-price offerings for the shack, a UHF Wideband Amplifier and the Netometer.

Technical for the Terrified: Tony Jones G7ETW offers a master class in the design of Class A amplifiers.

The World of VHF: Tim Kirby GW4VXE has more on trans-equatorial propagation and the results of a mini-survey about polarisation for 2m FT8 operation.

What Next: Colin Redwood G6MXL makes a linked dipole for the higher HF bands, before offering some tips for overcoming mike shyness and finally welcoming some very relevant new videos for beginners from the RSGB.

Repairing a HP Logic Probe: Dr Samuel Ritchie EI9FZB describes how he went about repairing an old but serviceable piece of test equipment.

NanoVNA: Can You live without One?: Michael Jones GW7BBY gets to grips with the handy NanoVNA, with some practical examples.

Top 10 FT8 Operating Tips: James Stevens M0JCQ offers his top ten tips for successful FT8 operation.

Quartz Crystal Oscillator and Tester: Ian Dilworth G3WRT describes a circuit for testing crystals.

HF Highlights: Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX invites readers to join the CDXC Challenges in these challenging times.

Data Modes: Mike Richards G4WNC takes a look at the new Q65 mode in WSJT-X and has been trying out his RX888 MkII.

Doing it by Design: Eric Edwards GW8LJJ has a design for ‘fun’ receiver that can be built quite easily.

Notes from a Small Station: Joe Chester M1MWD continues his quest for the ultimate rig but at the right price.

Valve & Vintage: Philip Moss takes a look at the Murphy CR150/Navy B40D, a classic set that many readers will recall.


Readers’ Letters: Topics this month include the Ofcom EMF missive, complex numbers, liability insurance, reforming capacitors and more about the mains.

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