Practical Wireless

Practical Wireless is aimed at the licensed radio amateur and caters for the amateur radio hobby. Practical Wireless is a ‘doing’ magazine focusing on the practical and constructional side of amateur radio and appeals to all ages. Written by expert authors and contributors, Practical Wireless reflects developments in the technology, participants, activities and licensing framework of the hobby.

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Practical Wireless

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Newsdesk • Have you got something to tell our readers about? If so, then email practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Celebrating the dawn of mass global communication

In the eye of the ‘Gannon storm’ • It blew through all the newspapers: the magnetic storm that sent northern lights all the way down to North Africa from 10 May 2024. It also affected HF communication. Nils Schiffhauer DK8OK investigates.

What is UKBOTA? • Jace Dale 2E0JIV introduces a rejuvenated and increasingly popular awards programme.

BBC coronations Pt XVIII • Keith Hamer and Garry Smith continue the special series looking back at the BBC’s coverage of Coronations since 1937. There is also a Coronation vintage wireless advertisement from the archives featuring the ‘Armstrong FC 38’. There are more unique details about Roland Pièce, the pioneer of Swiss radio broadcasts, from family archives supplied by his Grand-Nephew, and PW reader, Pierre-Yves Pièce. The series charting the rise and fall of BBC 198kHz transmissions focuses on interference problems caused by the use of shared frequencies. Coverage detailing 60 years of BBC-2 looks at studio modernisation in 1964. We also continue our series about the development of Swiss Radio and Television since 1922.

Electronics/radio for the disabled • Geoff Theasby G8BMI, who used to write regularly for this magazine, offers advice on how to stay with the hobby as infirmities start to set in.

MultiPSK Digital Decoder Software: NCDXF Mode • Keith Rawlings G4MIU looks at MultiPSK, including using it for antenna comparisons. He also has an update on his OCFD trials and tribulations.

Inflated SNR! • Mike Richards G4WNC starts by looking at SNR figures when using WSJT-X, before moving on to installing cameras for use with the Raspberry Pi.

News Extra

NFD – take 2 • Roger Cooke G3LDI indulges in a little Field Day nostalgia.

Radio and Maps – Mapping Radio • Georg Wiessala looks at the intersection of radio and mapping.

VHF CW evenings and the next 145 Alive session • Tim Kirby GW4VXE looks back on a lively month, with several types of propagation in evidence, and forwards to 145 Alive and more.

News Extra

Band Pass Filters • We welcome back Tony Jones G7ETW, this time with an article about building your own Band Pass Filters.

PSK Reporter & Exam Books • Colin Redwood G6MXL looks at a useful tool for checking how well you are getting out, before returning to the revised licence exams.

Restoring a Heathkit HW-9 • Daimon Tilley G4USI gets great satisfaction from bringing an old favourite back to ‘almost new’.

Lots of sunspots but … • Steve Telenius-Lowe G4JVG reports that while solar activity has been high, solar disturbances have rendered the HF bands somewhat variable this past month.

Rallies & Events • All information published here reflects the situation up to and including 22nd August 2024. Readers are advised to always check with the organisers of any rally or event before setting out for a visit. To get your event on this list, email the full details, as early as possible, to: practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Your Letters • Send your letters to: Practical Wireless Letters, Warners Group Publications plc West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH E-mail:...