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.

Practical Wireless • August 2023 Vol. 99 No 8

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Reviewing the Icom IC-905 SHF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver

Pirate Radio legend Caroline goes Green

Donation to the RSGB

Moonraker News

Ofcom Proposes Multitude of Changes to Licensing Framework

Rallies & Events

The Magic Bands

Friedrichshafen 2023 • Don reports on this year's Ham Radio event in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany.

GC&CS Codebreakers • David Harris reviews yet another book about the work of Bletchley Park, but with a new and fascinating slant.

The UMPP-1 Morse Paddle from GM0EUL Morse Keys • Daimon Tilley G4USI reviews a small paddle key that offers great performance at a sensible price.

NEWS EXTRA

Buff my Amp • Trying to key an older valve amplifier from a modern rig? Billy McFarland GM6DX offers a solution.

Build a CW Transmitter for under £15! • Daimon Tilley G4USI offers two solutions for a cheap but useful transmitter.

Feeding Multiple Receivers from One Antenna • Michael Jones GW7BBY/GB2MOP discusses splitters and distribution amplifiers.

10m Operation • Complementing last month’s about converting a CB set for 10m and one planned for next month about 10m FM operation, Roger Lapthorn G3XBM gives an overview of the 10m band.

FT8CN: an FT8 program for Android • With the Sporadic E season in full swing and other news to report, Tim Kirby GW4VXE has a full column once again.

The Easy Way to Panel Labelling • David Hodgkinson GI7TPO describes an easy way to achieve a professional look for your projects.

An Historic Slice of Pye • PW Designer Mike Edwards recently visited the exhibition at Cambridge Museum of Technology, celebrating the centenary of the BBC and the first radios made by Cambridge Company Pye. Some 25 of the earliest Pye radios are included in the display. We feature here some of the photos that Mike took on his visit.

Component Identification & Construction • Colin recommends some simple constructional techniques along with advice on component identification.

Another Busy Month • Despite the usual summer downturn in HF conditions, Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX reports another bumper month for activity.

Destination: Rockall 2023 • Nobby Styles G0VJG tells Roger Dowling G3NKH about the major MM0UKI Rockall expedition.

TinySA-Ultra, Probes and QRM Continued • Keith Rawlings G4MIU looks at further uses of the TinySAUltra.

Trigger Warning: It’s Trigonometry • Godfrey Manning G4GLM shows why trig matters.

More on VarAC and SDR • This month sees another update to VarAC, plus Mike’s continuing delve into SDR technology. This time he is tackling IQ signals and digital down conversion – all with no maths!

NEWS EXTRA

A Common Frequency for Low Level Traffic • David Smith brings news of recent developments in the world of air traffic management.

The CW Way and a Reply from ChatGPT • Roger Cooke G3LDI has the latest from the world of Morse Code.

BBC Coronations (Pt IV) • This month, 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 radio advertisement from the archives. The continuing sagas of...