Interesting new Ham publication

 

SWR magazine is a fairly new FREE online Amateur Radio publication that we recently stumbled across. Looks interesting. Check it out at the link below.

SWR Magazine - Our Mission:

 Our mission at SWR Magazine is to connect, educate, and inspire the global amateur radio community by showcasing stories, projects, technological advancements, and experiences that reflect the true passion for ham radio. We aim to be an open, inclusive, and collaborative platform where both seasoned operators and newcomers can share knowledge, promote experimentation, and keep the spirit of borderless communication alive. 

Check it out, link:  https://online.fliphtml5.com/kqkyd/amkj/

Another interesting Amateur Radio publication

We stumbled upon another intersting monthly club publication this week.

Check out the Logger's Bark, the newsletter & magazine of W7DK, The Radio Club of Tacoma! You can read about the club at www.W7DK.org and if you're ever in Tacoma, WA on a Saturday, the club holds open house almost every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and all are welcome. Full details at the link here: https://www.w7dk.org/images/rct_bark/bark_2025_05.pdf

In this month's May 2025 issue of The Logger's Bark magazine:

- Lamptenna 3: CQ WPX 2025 using SSB with nothing but a FLOOR LAMP for an antenna!

- Numbers Stations: All about them and "are they still a thing"?

- The Japanese WOODEN CubeSat satellite - first wooden satellite ever built!

- Hands-on review of the RTL-SDR V4 receiver dongle

- History of DPRK DXpeditions

- Kits Corner: Great beginner's kit - the Elenco AM-780A build and review

- Review: Wouxun KG-935H tri-band HT that includes the 1.25m band

- How FT8 Works: Love it or hate it, FT8 is here to stay. Here's how it works

- Look Back at the Knight Kit T-60 CW & AM Transmitter

- 2025 W7DK Field Day Plans coming together - see the site layout plan

And a whole bunch more - photos, tips, tricks, blurbs, puzzles, all about amateur radio and NEVER any ads!

Check out the clubs web site at: https://www.w7dk.org/

Interesting Amateur Radio publication

We recently stumbled upon this interesting Amateur Radio publication. The Communicator is published by Surrey Amateur Radio Communications group. The group seems to be very active. The Communicator is over 100 pages and has interesting articles, along with regular columnists.

Now read in over 165 countries, the May-June issue brings you 120+ pages of Amateur Radio content from the Southwest corner of Canada and around the globe. With less fluff and ads than other Amateur Radio publications, you will find Amateur Radio related articles, projects, profiles, news, tips and how-to's for all levels of the hobby.

Check it out here: https://ve7sar.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-communicator-may-june-2025.html

SARC (Surrey Amateur Radio Communications – formerly “Club”), with 140+ members, is one of the largest and most active amateur radio organizations in Canada, offering a wide variety of ham-related activities, training opportunities and mentoring, all by volunteers dedicated to technical proficiency and service to the community. Learn more about SARC here:

Great Radio E-magazine - The Spectrum Monitor!

 

I recently received my January issue of The Spectrum Monitor (TSM). I really look forward to getting this  publication each month! I am a charter subscriber since its beginning in 2014. It is very similar to the former Monitoring Times magazine which discontinued publication back in 2013.

Check out TSM on their web site at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx

TSM is usually around 100 pages and is packed with the latest on Amateur Radio, Shortwave, Scanning, Satellites, Radio/TV, Vintage radio, etc. The news and articles are always up to date and relevant. TSM is available only in PDF format and can be read on any device capable of opening a PDF file. I read TSM both on my tablet and PC. I also occasionally print out interesting articles that I might need for future reference in the shack. It's probably the Best $36.00 that we spend each year on this hobby!

The TSM publisher, Ken Reitz KS4ZR, is the former managing editor, features editor, columnist and feature writer for Monitoring Times. As well as a former feature writer and columnist for several other publications. TSM has some very experienced and talented writers that do a great job of covering many interesting topics each month! (learn more about the TSM staff here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/about-us.aspx )

Great Radio E-magazine!

I recently received my December issue of The Spectrum Monitor (TSM). I really look forward to getting this  publication each month! I am a charter subscriber since its beginning in 2014. It is very similar to the former Monitoring Times magazine which discontinued publication back in 2013.

Check out TSM on their web site at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx

TSM is usually around 100 pages and is packed with the latest on Amateur Radio, Shortwave, Scanning, Satellites, Radio/TV, Vintage radio, etc. The news and articles are always up to date and relevant. TSM is available only in PDF format and can be read on any device capable of opening a PDF file. I read TSM both on my tablet and PC. I also occasionally print out interesting articles that I might need for future reference in the shack. It's probably the Best $24.00 that we spend each year on this hobby!

The TSM publisher, Ken Reitz KS4ZR, is the former managing editor, features editor, columnist and feature writer for Monitoring Times. As well as a former feature writer and columnist for several other publications. TSM has some very experienced and talented writers that do a great job of covering many interesting topics each month! (learn more about the TSM staff here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/about-us.aspx )

Check out an older SWLing blog post review of TSM: https://swling.com/blog/2014/12/the-spectrum-monitor-only-24-for-a-years-subscription/

The Spectrum Monitor - Great publication!

 

We have mentioned it before, but will do it again! The Spectrum Monitor (TSM) is an awesome publication for the radio enthusiast! 

I really look forward to getting this publication each month! Great writers with an excellent variety of articles and columns each month. I am a charter subscriber since its beginning in 2014. It is very similar to the former Monitoring Times magazine which discontinued publication in 2013.

Check out TSM on their web site at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx

TSM is usually around 100 pages and is packed with the latest on Amateur Radio, Shortwave, Scanning, Satellites, Radio/TV, Vintage radio, etc. The news and articles are always up to date and relevant. TSM is available only in PDF format and can be read on any device capable of opening a PDF file. I read TSM both on my tablet and PC. I also occasionally print out interesting articles that I might need for future reference in the shack.

The TSM publisher, Ken Reitz KS4ZR, is the former managing editor, features editor, columnist and feature writer for Monitoring Times. As well as a former feature writer and columnist for several other publications. TSM has some very experienced and talented writers that do a great job of covering many interesting topics each month! (learn more about the TSM staff here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/about-us.aspx )

The Spectrum Monitor (TSM) Magazine - a very good read!

With the COVID-19 Virus situation keeping many of us at home these days, maybe you have more time for some reading. We have mentioned it here before, but we'll do it again; if you are looking for a very good monthly publication covering Amateur Radio, Shortwave, AM/FM Radio, TV, Vintage Radio, etc. - THIS IS THE ONE!

TSM is usually around 100 pages and is packed with the latest on Amateur Radio, Shortwave, Scanning, Satellites, Radio/TV, Vintage radio, etc. The news and articles are always up to date and relevant. TSM is available only in PDF format and can be read on any device capable of opening a PDF file. I read TSM both on my tablet and PC. I also occasionally print out interesting articles that I might need for future reference in the shack.

Check out TSM on their web site at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx


The TSM publisher, Ken Reitz KS4ZR, is the former managing editor, features editor, columnist and feature writer for Monitoring Times. As well as a former feature writer and columnist for several other publications. TSM has some very experienced and talented writers that do a great job of covering many interesting topics each month! (learn more about the TSM staff here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/about-us.aspx )

Shortwave News and Information - SWLing Post blog

I know a lot of people say that shortwave listening is dead, but I would tend to disagree. Though its not what it once was, there is still a lot of interesting content out on the low bands. If you want to know the real state of SWL and get the latest news and reviews, we would suggest you check out the SWLing Post blog (https://swling.com/blog/ ).

The SWLing Post is a community of shortwave radio and amateur radio enthusiasts sharing shortwave radio reviews, news, broadcasting, pirate radio, numbers stations, interviews, and much more.

They aim to provide quality content in the form of:
- Everything radio, with a focus on the HF/Shortwave portions of the spectrum
- International broadcasting news
 - Amateur radio news
- Interviews
- The internet and, specifically how it influences radio broadcasters
- The history and future of shortwave radio
- Shortwave radio reviews

Great Radio publication!

I recently received my December issue of The Spectrum Monitor (TSM). I really look forward to getting this publication each month! I am a charter subscriber since its beginning in 2014. It is very similar to the former Monitoring Times magazine which discontinued publication in 2013.
Check out TSM on their web site at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx

TSM is usually around 100 pages and is packed with the latest on Amateur Radio, Shortwave, Scanning, Satellites, Radio/TV, Vintage radio, etc. The news and articles are always up to date and relevant. TSM is available only in PDF format and can be read on any device capable of opening a PDF file. I read TSM both on my tablet and PC. I also occasionally print out interesting articles that I might need for future reference in the shack.

The TSM publisher, Ken Reitz KS4ZR, is the former managing editor, features editor, columnist and feature writer for Monitoring Times. As well as a former feature writer and columnist for several other publications. TSM has some very experienced and talented writers that do a great job of covering many interesting topics each month! (learn more about the TSM staff here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/about-us.aspx )

Check out an older SWLing blog post review of TSM: https://swling.com/blog/2014/12/the-spectrum-monitor-only-24-for-a-years-subscription/

Listening to Digital Voice communications

I recently have had several inquiries from folks interested in listening to digital voice modes. So this week I came across this interesting article that does a pretty good job of answering some of those questions. The article explains the equipment required to continue listening to many digital Amateur and public service radio transmissions. It covers most of the digital voice modes and the basic functionality of each mode. Though written from the perspective of a Canadian Ham/SWL, it is very applicable to what is happening around the world.

from Scanner Digest #72 (Summer 2015)
CANADA Report - John Leonardelli - VE3IPS

ve3ips@gmail.com

Buzz Buzz Bzzzzrrrp - The Short Guide to Digital Radio

The world of scanning is changing as we move from an

analog world to a digital one. Each digital mode has

different characteristics in how the analog voice is

converted to and decoded from digital. Linking methods

vary across each mode and inter-operability is lacking

between them. Many local amateur radio club nets that

offered interesting listening are now moving to the digital

modes. However, many ARES/RACES groups continue to

offer analog and digital mode nets to test out the

communication readiness.

Check out old Radio Shack and Allied Catalogs online

 Back a few months ago I posted a brief story about the demise of Radio Shack. Generations of home electronics hobbyists, ham radio enthusiasts and computer geeks spent their growth-spurt years hanging around their local Radio Shack stores. I was one of them. The company's heyday ran from the 1970s through the late 1990s, when it rode the CB radio craze as the largest retailer in the market, and then transformed into a creditable maker of computer gear. Ham Radio and Scanners were also a big part of that heyday.

Well now you can go back and view your favorite old Radio Shack catalogs on line. Thanks to the folks at RadioShackCatalogs.com. At this website you will be able to view these old 1939-2011 Radio Shack and Tandy Electronics' catalogs, sale flyers, brochures, and more...year by year...page by page.

What's unique about this website is that the catalogs are presented as a VIRTUAL catalog, in a "page-flipping" format. This gives you the experience of paging-through an actual Radio Shack catalog. They also have old sales flyers and even TV commercials along with lots of company history.

Check it out here: http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/index.html

You can also view old Allied Radio catalogs at this site: http://www.alliedcatalogs.com/

I spent an hour last night looking back at some of the cool stuff I enjoyed in my youth. Take a look for yourself, I think you'll have some fun!

Also check out our previous Radio Shack story: http://www.upstateham.com/2015/04/the-demise-of-radio-shack-and-where-to.html

If you have a Radio Shack story you would like to share with our readers, drop us a line at UpstateHam@gmail.com.

Ham Radio magazine archives

Have you ever wanted to find some of those old Ham radio magazine articles? Well, thanks to the Internet you can now have access to copies of hundreds of old Ham radio publications. These archives are searchable and contain a lot of excellent information that is still very relevant to our hobby. Check it out!

Archives with free downloadable copies of several old Radio magazines:

Ham Radio was a monthly amateur radio enthusiast magazine published in the United States from February 1968 to June 1990
Link: https://archive.org/details/ham-radio-magazine

73 Magazine (also known as 73 Amateur Radio Today) (OCLC 22239204) was a United States-based amateur radio magazine that was published from 1960 to 2003. It was known for its strong emphasis on technical articles and for the lengthy editorials in each issue by its founder and publisher, Wayne Green.
Link: https://archive.org/details/73-magazine

ARRL members also have free access to the QST magazine archives dating from 1911 to 2012
Link: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-periodicals-archive-search 

Old Radio & TV Broadcast publications - very interesting history......
Link: http://www.americanradiohistory.com/