SYS: ONLINE|UTC --:--:--|BAND: ALL
SWR: 1.2PWR: 100WQTH: EN52
Reference Library

All 28 equipment references

Every tool on the site, filterable by category and by the stage of a station build it belongs to. Each page carries a specification table, band and mode coverage, a safety note and related references.

HF Transceiver engineering reference drawing
Setup

HF Transceiver

The main station radio: 160 through 10 metres, all-mode, 100 W class.

f: 1.8-30 MHzP: 100 W
Transceivers→
VHF/UHF Handheld engineering reference drawing
Setup

VHF/UHF Handheld

A pocket radio for local contacts, repeaters and public-service work.

f: 144-148 MHzf: 430-450 MHz
Transceivers→
Dipole Antenna engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Dipole Antenna

Two equal wires and a feed point. The reference antenna everything else is compared against.

L: 468/f ftZ: 73 ohm
Transceivers→
Vertical Antenna engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Vertical Antenna

A quarter wave standing up, with radials underneath. Small footprint, low radiation angle.

H: lambda/4Z: 36 ohm
Transceivers→
Yagi Beam engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Yagi Beam

A directional array that concentrates your power where you point it.

G: 10.5 dBiF/B: 20 dB
Transceivers→
Antenna Tuner engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Antenna Tuner

An adjustable matching network that lets one antenna cover several bands.

f: 1.8-30 MHzZ: 6-1000 ohm
Transceivers→
Coaxial Cable engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Coaxial Cable

The standard unbalanced feedline: centre conductor, shield, and the dielectric between them.

Z: 50 ohmloss: 2.1 dB/30m
Feedline→
Ladder Line engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Ladder Line

Two parallel conductors held apart by spacers. Very low loss, and very fussy.

Z: 450 ohmloss: 0.3 dB/30m
Feedline→
PL-259 Connector engineering reference drawing
Antenna

PL-259 Connector

The ubiquitous HF connector. Not constant impedance, but perfectly serviceable below 300 MHz.

Z: 50 ohmf: DC-300 MHz
Feedline→
N Connector engineering reference drawing
Antenna

N Connector

A constant-impedance, threaded connector that holds up at VHF and above.

Z: 50 ohmf: DC-11 GHz
Feedline→
Balun engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Balun

Bridges the balanced antenna and the unbalanced coax, with or without a ratio change.

ratio: 1:1 / 4:1f: 1.8-30 MHz
Feedline→
Feedline Choke engineering reference drawing
Antenna

Feedline Choke

Stops shield current on the coax, which is the usual cause of mysterious RF interference.

Z: >1000 ohmf: 3.5-30 MHz
Feedline→
Power Supply engineering reference drawing
Power

Power Supply

Clean regulated DC for the station, sized for the current the radio actually draws.

V: 13.8 VI: 30 A
Power→
Battery Bank engineering reference drawing
Power

Battery Bank

Stored energy for portable work, field days and when the mains fails.

V: 12.8 VC: 100 Ah
Power→
Ground Rod engineering reference drawing
Power

Ground Rod

The station earth electrode — the reference everything else bonds to.

L: 2.4 mR: <5 ohm
Power→
Lightning Arrestor engineering reference drawing
Power

Lightning Arrestor

A sacrificial path to earth for the coax, so a surge does not go looking for your radio.

surge: 20 kAVc: 400 V
Power→
RF Choke engineering reference drawing
Power

RF Choke

Keeps RF out of the power leads, the audio leads and the computer.

Z: >5000 ohmf: 1.8-30 MHz
Power→
SWR Meter engineering reference drawing
Test

SWR Meter

The inline instrument that tells you how much of your power is coming back.

SWR: 1.0-3.0P: 5-200 W
Test Gear→
Antenna Analyzer engineering reference drawing
Test

Antenna Analyzer

A swept measurement of impedance, resonance and match — the antenna engineer in your pocket.

f: 1-30 MHzSWR: Z/R/X
Test Gear→
Dummy Load engineering reference drawing
Test

Dummy Load

A 50 ohm resistor in a heatsink, so you can test without transmitting.

Z: 50 ohmP: 1.5 kW
Test Gear→
Oscilloscope engineering reference drawing
Test

Oscilloscope

See the waveform. The instrument that turns "it sounds odd" into a measurement.

BW: 100 MHzch: 2
Test Gear→
Multimeter engineering reference drawing
Test

Multimeter

The first instrument anyone should own. Voltage, current, resistance and continuity.

Vdc: 600 VI: 10 A
Test Gear→
Frequency Counter engineering reference drawing
Test

Frequency Counter

An independent frequency reference, for checking calibration and measuring carriers.

f: 0.1 Hz-3 GHzgate: 1 s
Test Gear→
Logbook Software engineering reference drawing
Operate

Logbook Software

The record of every contact, and the engine behind awards and confirmations.

fmt: ADIFcat: USB
Operating→
CW Keyer engineering reference drawing
Operate

CW Keyer

Electronic timing for Morse, so your sending is clean regardless of your hand.

wpm: 5-40tone: 600 Hz
Operating→
Microphone engineering reference drawing
Operate

Microphone

The first stage of your transmitted signal. Cheap to improve, hard to fake.

f: 300-3000 HzZ: 600 ohm
Operating→
Headset engineering reference drawing
Operate

Headset

Closed-back phones and a boom microphone, for long sessions without fatigue.

Z: 32 ohmf: 20-20k Hz
Operating→
QSL Cards engineering reference drawing
Operate

QSL Cards

The paper confirmation of a contact — still the traditional evidence for an award.

size: 90x140 mmutc: REQUIRED
Operating→

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