First Ham Radio Project? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: clansd99
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 05:44:48 am
content: Hi all,I've recently bitten the ham radio bug and am super psyched to get involved! (Within legal means of course).Not sure where to get started? I am a third year ECE student currently taking courses on EM, comms systems, etc. so my theory background is still a bit rusty.My goal is to make contact with someone as far away as possible (Antarctica would be really cool!).Any suggestions as a first project? I would be most interested in a system that just listens for long range transmissions since it seems like something I could understand and possibly build myself. But not sure of where to find a guide or tutorial.-Chris

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 05:52:29 am
content: Start building a reciever.There are many circuits avalable on internet for AM broadcast recievers.Yo could also look in to buying a kit and this might be simpler because you would get a PCB and all components.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 08:14:40 am
content: There are so many ways to get involved with ham radio! For construction projects you might want to look at kits from QRP Labs. One tiny transceiver I am now playing with is the QRP Labs "QDX". This is a 5 Watt transceiver that is designed for FSK digital modes (FT8, JS8, WSPR, etc.) Using WSPR (a transmit-only beacon) on the 20-meter band within the space of a few hours my signal was picked up in both Antarctica and Ellesmere Island. This was using a simple dipole antenna. The QDX cannot be used for voice modes (typically single sideband).For just a receiver you might consider a SDR such as the SDRplay RSP1A (about $100). This isn't a something you build, but it can receive just about any mode in the HF and VHF bands.

author: clansd99
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 01:26:26 pm
content: Thank you both!I have just purchased the QDC+ transceiver kit from QRP labs. Will have a lot of fun putting it together and trying to understand how it works.Any recommendations for an antenna? Unfortunately I am relatively space constrained living in a basement apartment with access to a small backyard. Running a 20m long cable is plausible but not ideal, if I ask neighbours, or head over to the local park. I figure someone has probably figured out a more compact design though.And power supply - maybe a rechargable lead acid battery? Not sure if a switching unit would fare OK with RF stuff.-Chris

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 01:40:34 pm
content: difference between shortwave listening and Ham is a call signVK3YE YouTube channel has a lot on building a simple outdoor portable loop antenna

author: clansd99
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 01:51:56 pm
content: Wondering if I should go for 20m instead of 40m to save some space on the antenna.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 05:21:36 pm
content: Quote from: clansd99 on January 09, 2023, 01:51:56 pmThe QDX is great (see my ham blog for my QDX experience and tests:http://wb6cxc.com/), but you really want a properly-matched antenna with it. People have fried the output transistors when transmitting into a high SWR load. Building the QDX for 12V operation, then actually powering it with a lower voltage (say 9V) might save you some grief.There's lots happening on 20m and the propagation can be worldwide. But you should learn about propagation on the different ham bands (or prop vs freq in general). It's interesting and can really help you figure out what is likely. Take a look at "PSK Reporter" (https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html) to see real-time propagation in action, and activity on the different bands and modes.For receiving the antenna is less important than you might think. Sure, a good matched antenna is great, but you can hear a lot with a virtual coat-hanger for an antenna. And once you start transmitting, look into antenna tuners (they try to match the actual impedance of your antenna to your 50 Ohm radio, regardless of what frequency the antenna is designed for). These tuners don't work miracles, but you can often get pretty good performance. And get a SWR meter, perhaps one designed to accommodate QRP power levels.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 05:27:22 pm
content: Join the ARRL or BVWSRead QST, QEXBuy the excellent SDR, SDRPlay RSP2 Pro or similarLook out for old classics valve SW radios and TXVisit Ham Radio fleas.The frequency bands ofr DX vary with season and time of day as they depend on the ionosphere.Your rig should be capable of tunign and TX on all the popular SW bandsJon-73-NNNNNN

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2023, 12:10:39 am
content: The Navy did operate a Ham station at the McMurdo base, I am not sure if they still do. They used it so sailors could "call home".To get started get your licenses. Easy, No More Morse Code.https://fieldradio.org/ham-radio-license/ham-radio-license-in-canada/As jonpaul says: Go to a few Hamfests and see what is for sale, I have picked up a good working transciever for as little as $100Sized antennas are for transmit. And Rx of course.Small Loops are "Tuned" They are nothing but a big LC Circuit. You can build one; See this group:https://groups.io/g/MagLoop/messagesAll you need for Rx is a long wireRemember, Some Ham Radios only Receive on ham bands, others recieve anywhere but only Transmit on Ham Bands. For listening purpose an all band receiver is nice.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2023, 12:15:07 am
content: I had fun building some low power beacons that broadcast their name in code. For a more advanced project try building a simple receiver.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2023, 03:36:05 pm
content: Another source of ham kit projects is "QRP Guys" (https://qrpguys.com/).

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2023, 10:26:34 am
content: Rebonjour,I have found old valve SW RX at garage and street sales for $5..30, Hallicrafters, Hammarlund.The old valve TX and RX are being dumped!An easy modern day RX is SDR software defined radio, the fine SDRPlay are size of 1 small book, cost perhaps £ € 100..150, range of frequency to ghz and all modulation and spectre displays.Sold from UK and distribution in USA ham radio sites.Beware these must have a good antenna as EMI and noise will also be recieved.EnjoyJon

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2023, 12:13:37 pm
content: Quote from: clansd99 on January 09, 2023, 01:26:26 pmThat is the most important question, provided you are licensed and you want make DX QSOs. New HAMs around me are coping with it on daily basis as they are recognizing soon the antenna is the most important device in your setup..Today the EFHW antenna is a good compromise, with aprox 20m long wire (it could be zig-zag with your space constrains) for 40-10m bands, with the ~100uH coil it works 80-10m bands, but the wire is by aprox 2m longer. For "Rx only" some magnetic loops work fine. Also a loop antenna for 20 or 15m band would perhaps fit into your backyard too.Anyhow, your very first step should be to obtain the ham operator license.. Do focus yourself on that..73!PS: and also - if I were you, the first gadget I would buy is the antenna analyzer, like the popular "nanovna" varieties and similar..

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2023, 02:48:13 pm
content: At the Radio Shop, We are selling a few old valve radios to "Preppers"I own a few and they are fun.Cool way to start listening and confuse the heck out of your friends. Leave the top open to impress noobs.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2023, 03:11:46 am
content: In 1960s, New York city, lived in appartement.Got a Hallicrafters SX38 valves RX, threw a roll of hookups wire out the 5th floors widow.Had great DX RX many QSL cards.Later setup a dipole with traps on the appartement building roof.Learning Morse code is a big benefit.Finally microwave and millimeter wave do not need a,logn antenne, uses dishes.Jon

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2023, 07:18:06 am
content: One of my early antennas was a "Slinky" dipole, tacked up to my apartment wall (inside). Tow original metal Slinkys (the coiled spring) stretched out with a bit of nylon cord inside to keep it from drooping. I forget how I matched it, probably a combination of adjusting the length and tuning the (very forgiving) output tube plate and load capacitors. A modern antenna tuner should work well. This isn't a spectacular antenna, but it got me on the air.https://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/frank_radio_antenna.htm