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 • Get Your Game On …

NEWS BYTES

FP/W1UF — Setting a New DXpedition “Record” • It’s been a “bucket list” item for years for W1UF … visiting and operating from the last outpost of France in North America. He shares the story of his “record-setting” DXpedition a few years back from St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Refurbishing a Collins R-390-A//URR Series Receiver • It’s been 30 years since the Collins R-390 series of receivers first found a home at VK4QS. His current one has been in his shack for 15 years and was in need of refurbishing. Mike shares the story of his project, along with the fascinating history of this Cold War receiver.

Results of the 2020 CQ World Wide VHF Contest

SPURIOUS SIGNALS

The 2021 CQ World Wide WPX Contest • SSB: March 27-28, 2021 CW: May 29-30, 2021. Starts: 0000 UTC Saturday Ends: 2359 UTC Sunday

Baluns Basics • Most antennas are “balanced” radiators — with two identical sides — while coaxial cable feedline is “unbalanced.” How do we make them work well together? With a “balun” in-between. W1IS and KC1DSQ cover the basics.

Digital to Analog Hardware Converter • We frequently read about new software releases being “backward-compatible” with older operating systems. But what about hardware? WA3EOQ faced the challenge of using an older analog antenna tuner with a new digital transceiver. His solution follows …

Untether Your Memories! • If you built K5PA’s and WB2REM’s circuit two years ago to use a wireless headset to operate your rig from any room in your house, and you have an ICOM transceiver, you might want to try this project as well, to let you transmit different memorized messages with a keyfob!

Packet Radio How To Work It (Not How It Works) • Packet sounds like fun. You decide to give it a try. Whether you build a kit or buy one of the available units, you finally get it to the operating desk. Now what? What do you do with it and what can you do with it? The answer is quite a bit, even if you’re not the technical type.

On the Cover

Packet Radio How To Work It (Not How It Works) Conclusion • It’s not as difficult as it sounds. You really can have a good time exploring the new world of packet radio even if you’re not an engineer.

MATH’S NOTES • Is Homebrewing Dead?

THE LISTENING POST • South Pacific Stations on the Move

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS • How to Avoid the Torture of Digital Net Check-Ins

KIT BUILDING • Getting It Up

DIGITAL CONNECTION • Back to Basics

MAGIC IN THE SKY • Amateur Radio Engineering 401

BEHIND THE BYLINES… • … a little bit about some of the authors whose articles appear in this issue

LEARNING CURVE • Ham Shack Origin

THE HAM NOTEBOOK • A Look at Greeblies

VHF PLUS • Start Spreading the Word …

MF/LF OPERATING: Life Below the AM Broadcast Band • Does Anyone Experiment on 630 or 2200 Meters Anymore?

what’s new

AWARDS • CQ DX Marathon: A Ham Radio Centaur

DX • 7H9H: IOTA Expedition to Habe Island, Indonesia

CONTESTING • Fall Contest Season Begins With Record Levels of Activity

PROPAGATION • It’s a New Year, and a New Solar...