Category: Amateur Radio

Cheap Soldering Iron: Which one?

This article was originally published in January 2017. It has been updated. Hint: If you’re looking for my most recent recommendation, Just Click Here for a cheap 80W powerhouse with all the accessories you’ll need, or this fantastic 60W combo that I use all the time! In this entry we’ll talk about my search for …

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The QCX Mini: A truly Miniature QRP CW Transceiver

In May 2020 the QCX was killed off in favor of the larger, easier to assemble QCX+, and as a result, Hans over at QRP Labs found himself in a bit of a quandry! A lot of people loved the new radio, but a surprisingly large contingent of hams said “It’s too big!” Their primary …

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Windy Weather Antenna Damage: Fix + JS8Call fun (Video)

In this video we look at what happened to my antenna in a winter storm and build an antenna mast for with less than $10 worth of material. Then we head over to the computer and try it out with JS8Call. Come watch, it’ll be fun! Links mentioned in video: L-Match How To: https://miscdotgeek.com/qrp-l-match-tuner-build/ Jackite …

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uSDX (SSB with a QCX) Update

Earlier this year I wrote about a modification/hack to the the QRP Labs QCX called uSDX that turns a normal CW only QCX into a SSB capable radio. It uses the Atmega 328p chip as an SDR, and uses a high end technology call EER to modulate SSB out of an amplifier made for CW. …

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JS8Call: Another “Zombie” mode?

Before anybody accuses me of a clickbait title, please examine the following comments taken from the JS8Call Facebook group: Over and over again Hams are disappointed with JS8Call because they have the impression that it is a “Zombie” mode, where the majority of stations are automatic, and that human to human QSO’s aren’t as common. …

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BITX40 Rebuild Part 1: Mistakes, Planning and Teardown

Things have been pretty busy around MiscDotGeek, and we’ve barely had time for Radio Related things. As I mentioned in the July 2020 update, my BITX40 quit transmitting while sitting stationary on my desk, dutifully doing its job as a JS8 radio, it quit transmitting. I put the uSDX in its place, only to have …

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August 2020 Update: Camping, Knives, Trike, Truck. And JS8Call.

I know, I know- quite a headline! In this update I’m going to update you on a few things I’ve been working on or doing in August. It was an action packed month. There’s plenty of difficulty to go around too, but I’ll leave that stuff out and stick to the stuff that’s hopefully at …

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Experimental Methods in RF Design is on Clearance

Hey everyone, just a short post to let you know that Experimental Methods in RF Design (EMFRD) is now on clearance at the ARRL’s store for just $20. This is an incredible deal for anybody who’s the least bit interested in Amateur Radio home brewing. Where to get EMFRD You can get it right now …

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QRP Labs HQ Tour and QCX Mini!

Just a quick post today to point you in the direction of an exciting announcement from Hans Summers over at QRP Labs. When he discontinued the QCX in favor of the QCX+, there was a strong contingent of hams who cried out in unison: “It’s too big!” and expressed that they wanted a small version …

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July 2020 Update: QCX+, QSX, uSDX, BITX40, Drone, Suburban, YouTube Channels

We’ve been pretty busy with Life Stuff, and currently are behind on several posts! In this post I’m going to give a quick update on a few projects as well as share some of the latest YouTube channels I’ve been enjoying when my brain is too tired to do anything else. QCX + Update The …

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