CQ Amateur Radio

CQ is the magazine for active hams, with a focus on the practical. Every article is clearly written and aimed at involving you, the reader...whether it's a story of operating from some exotic location, an article to deepen your understanding of ham radio science and technology, or a fun-to-build project that will have practical use in your ham shack. Join us on our monthly journey through the broad and varied landscape of the world's most fascinating hobby!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CQ Amateur Radio

HAM RADIO NEWS

ZERO BIAS: A CQ Editorial • Unexpected Heroes

NEWS BYTES

Surviving COVID-19 or the Next Pandemic! • Just about everyone has been affected to some extent by the COVID-19 pandemic. WB2REM (a psychologist) and K5PA show us how we can take advantage of our shared hobby to stay sane amidst the quarantines and closures.

W7L: Exploring Colorado’s 7 Lakes Wilderness Area • When we aren’t under COVID-19 restrictions … neither rain nor sleet — nor thundersnow! — will keep WØRW from operating pedestrian mobile, especially if he can make a special event of it.

VP2VB Sails (the Airwaves) Again! — Part II • A DXpedition is the ultimate “take it to the field” activity, traveling to a rare or remote location to get on the air and hand out contacts to fellow hams. One of the pioneers of DXpeditioning was Danny Weil, VP2VB, in the 1950s and ’60s. A follow-up expedition in his memory, and using his callsign, was held earlier this year. We brought you the basics last month. Now, here are the details.

VP2VB the First Time Around

Aboard Yasme… St. Thomas to Panama

Back in the Day: The FCC and Portable Operating • “Taking it to the field” wasn’t always as easy or straightforward as it is today. Back in the 1930s, the FCC issued special callsigns for mobile or portable operation, and as late as the 1970s, hams had to notify the FCC of plans to operate away from their licensed locations. WØRW takes a look back.

Florida: A Paradise for Activating U.S. Islands • If you enjoy activating special locations for different “OTA” programs, W4YBV says you ought to consider a trip to the Sunshine State and have your pick of locations for the U.S. Islands Awards Program.

Results of the 2019 CQ DX Marathon

PY2CLK: A 63-Year Lookback • We continue our series of personal ham radio histories to coincide with CQ’s 75th anniversary year. This installment comes from Brazil, where PY2CLK / PY4CLK remembers the early days of ham radio there and throughout South America.

Multiband Off-Center-Fed Dipoles for 160 & 80 Meters • If you need a multiband wire antenna and your rig’s built-in antenna tuner can’t deal with the high SWR of a G5RV on some bands, KC1DSQ and W1IS have another suggestion to consider — an off-center-fed dipole for 80 or 160 meters that will also be usable on higher frequency bands.

Single-Switch Station Command • Wouldn’t it be great to flip one switch and turn on a variety of devices in your shack or activate several different functions at one time? WB9YBM has a plan — and a circuit — for you to do it with a switch you most likely already have in your hand.

what’s new

MATH’S NOTES • Some Thoughts on Energy Harvesting

THE LISTENING POST • All India Radio Silenced By COVID-19

OUR READERS SAY…

CQ Reader Needed for Handihams

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS • Showcasing Our Capabilities … From Home

ANALOG ADVENTURES • Breaking a Promise and Going Afield

KIT-BUILDING • Face Shields and a New μBITX

what’s new

MICROCONTROLLERS IN AMATEUR RADIO • Lockdown Projects, How to Destroy an Arduino, and More

LEARNING CURVE • Perspective

QRP: Low-Power Communications • A Conversation About the True Meaning of QRP

what’s...