If you haven't checked it out yet, go to the Projects link in the menu on the left side and check out the two projects from KF4KQS, Josh Brothers.  Send your projects in and let's inspire other Hams to get started on that project they've been putting off.  Have fun.

Caleb

For some time now we have been at the bottom of a solar cycle, meaning ham band activity is sparse on good days, and nowhere to be found on all other days.  Radio operators trying to score DXCC or Worked All States have quite a challenge under these conditions.  If poor band conditions are coupled with the limit of a 100-watt transmitter and a 35' high wire antenna, trying to make contacts can be frustrating beyond frustrating at times.

Short of buying a legal limit amplifier and putting up a 150' tower loaded with various beams, what's a ham to do?

The short answer is, try digital radio.

First things first.  There are a few things you need to keep in mind if you decide to try doing digital radio.

• Digital radio is rarely a "plug and play" operation.
• Every installation is a little different, and there is no one-size-fits-all guide for doing it.
• Patience is a must.
• If other hams made it work, you can make it work, too.

In Chapter 2 we ended up with our computer, a time sync program, an MFJ 1204 interface, and an installed copy of WSJT-X.  Now that we have all of that in one place, what do we do with it?

This is a step-by-step guide to how I set up the most simple, yet effective, digital station I could muster.  I tried a lot of different things in the process, but this is what I ended up with.  There are more elaborate and attractive ways of going digital, but in the interest of ease and lower frustration levels, I opted in the end for simple, simple, simple.  Once you get your digital station going, you can always add more features if you wish.  The setup described below does not include a rig-control function.  Rig control is a convenience you can add later if you wish.

Good morning all you HAMmers!!  I hope Christmas was awesome and if you're still enjoying a Christmas break congratulations.  Check out the new "Projects" section under the Menu to the left.  I added this today and the first article comes courtesy of Josh Brothers, KF4KQS, with pictures of a project he worked on in GA a few days ago for a friend of his.  The way the section is setup is where you can select an article title in order to read that article.  I'll use the name of the rig, or equipment, being worked on or built, when feasible to do so, in order to give you a better idea of what the article is about an to help make it a little easier to search for later on.  I hope you enjoy Josh's project and I look forward to sharing many more. Please share your project pictures and/or videos with me so we can show the local HAMs, and the world, what you're working on.