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Practical Wireless - April 2023

Build a frequency counter & power meter, heat your shack with diesel, look back to the days of valves, catch up with amateur TV or try 8m without a licence. And much more.

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Practical Wireless - April 2023

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You can also buy a digital edition from our partner company Pocketmags.

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What's in this Issue?

Keylines Don looks back at amateur radio magazines that have come and gone in the UK.

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

The ASCEL AE20401 Richard White G6NFE describes building and testing the ASCEL Electronic AE20401 Frequency Counter and Power Meter.

Review: The Gypsy Antenna Richard Constantine G3UGF reviews a handy portable antenna, suitable for holiday or similar operations.

Review: the Deepelec Deep SDR 101 Georg Wiessala has had the new Deepelec Deep SDR 101 Software Defined Radio in his shack and has put this surprising little device through its paces on a range of frequency bands and signals

Economical Alternative Heating for the Shack Mark Tuttle G0TMT decides on a diesel heater to keep the shack warm.

The Orlando HamCation Joe Chester M1MWD resumes his travels with a trip to Florida.

Amateur Radio on a Budget Daimon Tilley G4USI sets about reorganising power distribution in his shack.

Book Reviews David Harris looks at some recent publications from Klingenfuss and a memoir from a long-time BBC broadcaster.

HF Highlights Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX reports a new high in the sunspot count, fortuitously coinciding with plenty of DXpedition activity.

Discover the Data Billy McFarland GM6DX describes building a soundcard interface for a transceiver that comes without one.

8m Without a Licence? Roger Lapthorn G3XBM advocates using the ISM band for 40MHz experiments.

What Next Colin Redwood G6MXL welcomes a new resource for Foundation Training and looks at two Castles on the Air awards programmes that complement each other. 

Amateur Television – An Update Dave Crump G8GKQ gives an update on UK amateur TV activities – why not join in the fun?

Data Modes Mike Richards G4WNC starts with a look at the improved performance of WSJT-X v2.6.1. This column is also the start of a new series where he explains the principles and measurements behind today’s SDR rigs. 

The World of VHF Tim Kirby GW4VXE reports on a bumper month for VHF/UHF propagation, but starts by answering a question, “What constitutes a contact?”

Rallies Locate a rally or event near you; we have our usual comprehensive list.

Antennas Keith Rawlings G4MIU finds a multitude of uses for the VNA he reviewed recently.

The Bijou Three Described as “A Cheap and Efficient Little Receiver with a Splendid Performance”, this design appeared in the October 29th 1932 issue of PW.

Valve & Vintage Dr Bruce Taylor HB9ANY describes radio frequency measurement before the digital age.

Vintage Television & Radio Keith Hamer and Garry Smith continue looking at the early days of the BBC, focusing on studio techniques to produce artificial echo effects. Also featured are more details about the history of Swiss broadcasting, a return visit to Bournemouth with Marconi, the 40th anniversary of BBC Breakfast Time, BBC2 colour films, the Blattnerphone, and television pioneer, Vladimir Zworykin. There is also a vintage equipment advertisement from 1927.

Readers’ Letters This month’s Letters cover FT8, solar flares, the J-pole and more.

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