Drake R-4C Receiver

The Drake R-4C receiver is a 1970's triple conversion superheterodyne receiver for the amateur bands 80 through 10 meters. Additional (optional) coverage of the general shortwave bands is possible by adding up to 15 crystals. This article takes a look at this Drake receiver from the years when thermionic valves were still the norm. First …

3 Element J-Pole Collinear 145Mhz Antenna

A 3 element J-Pole 145 Mhz antenna that is easy to build, and uses materials commonly available at your local hardware merchant to build it. The central element uses PVC pipe to build the coaxial sleeve. The design for this 3 element J-Pole 145 Mhz antenna was originally published by OM Mike Smith WD4KMP in …

Kenwood TR-7625 2m FM Transceiver

My Kenwood TR-7625 transceiver review includes a general description, circuit operation, documentation downloads and specifications. Kenwood TR-7625 2m Mobile FM Transceiver Review The Kenwood TR-7625 is a digitally synthesized FM mode transceiver for the 2 metre amateur radio band. The TR-7625 transmitter puts out a selectable 5W or 25W RF power to the antenna. Its …

PVC and Foil Antennas

PVC and foil antennas made from aluminium roof flashing tape and rigid PVC pipe save money when home building amateur radio band antennas. You could even use household aluminium cooking foil and save even more money. We all know how the price of aluminium has shot up in recent years. This made home construction of …

Yaesu FT-200 HF Transceiver

My Yaesu FT-200 HF band amateur transceiver review includes, instruction manuals, and video presentation of the transceiver. Yaesu FT-200 Amateur Band HF Transceiver The Yeasu FT-200 transceiver covers the amateur bands 80 through 10 metres. The transceiver provides transmission and reception of SSB (both USB and LSB are selectable), CW and AM. The transmitter provides …

Icom IC551 50 MHz All Mode Amateur Transceiver

Icom IC551 50 MHz all mode amateur transceiver review with specifications, service and user manuals as well as in operation video samples. My Icom IC551 6m 10W Transceiver I purchased a second hand Icom IC551 6m transceiver for resale in October 1982 which I set up at the QTH. This 6m transceiver is able to …

Kenwood TR-7200G 2m FM Transceiver

The Kenwood TR-7200G 2m amateur band FM mobile transceiver is a neat, good looking piece of kit however the microphone is a distinctively odd shape. The transceiver was launched by Trio/Kenwood during the 1970's. I purchased one of these transceivers in 1975 and kept it until I replaced it with a Kenwood TR-7600. the radio …

KP-202 2 metre NBFM handheld Transceiver

The KP-202 was my first 2m handheld transceiver. Purchased from Hamrad still while I was waiting for the operating licence to arrive by mail. Kenpro KP-202 in Use I had my KP-202 for quite a number of years, from 1974 until I sold it about 3 years later. A reliable piece of equipment, it never …

Amateur Radio in South Africa Today

Where does amateur radio, aka ham radio, stand today in South Africa. In my younger years amateur radio had a small but strong presence in South Africa. When I passed the examination in 1974 the number of licensed radio hams was growing annually, albeit slowly. Much has now changed. While amateur radio is alive and …

TRF Receiver – Tuned Radio Frequency Receiver

A TRF receiver is a simple radio receiver from the early years of radio. TRF means Tuned Radio Frequency. This article describes tuned radio frequency receivers and offers a practical 40m amatuer band receiver design. This is an experimental circuit design intended as a starting point for homebrewers. My TRF receiver is adapted from existing …