Eclectic Tech: Recent Episodes
Steve Ford, WB8IMY
Synchronizing clocks with cosmic rays; generating power with graphene; "vascular" antennas; listening to VLF signals with the NASA Inspire project (https://theinspireproject.org) receiver kit.
VARAC -- a new way to chat digitally on HF; antennas for Europa; beaming power from Earth orbit.
The Carrington Event of 1859 ranks among the most intense solar eruptions in recorded history. As we approach the peak of the current Solar Cycle, which is estimated to occur in 2026, could it happen again?
What's old is new again: Coherent CW. David Kazdan, AD8Y, explains how his research group at Case Western Reserve University is adapting this vintage mode for a 21st century application.
Hamvention 2022 roundup with Pascal Villeneuve, VA2PV, the QST magazine Product Review editor.
Dr Brian Callahan, AD2BA, discusses a proposal to embed data into SSTV images. Also, "lens" antennas for UHF and above.
ARRL's Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, describes a brand new on-the-air contest for digital communicators that will debut on June 4.
Also, coming on the heels of 5G technology, 6G has appeared on the horizon.
Who was Wes Schum? According to Nick Tusa, K5EF, he was one of the unsung heroes of amateur radio. Find out why.
Speaking with Carl Nord, WA1KPD, about using the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) mode at the nano-watt level. Also, what's driving the increasing number of FM broadcast translators?
A chat with Dave Slotter, W3DJS, the creator of HamPi, a collection of more than 100 amateur radio applications for the Raspberry Pi microcomputer.
A conversation with Barry Feierman, K3EUI, about utilizing VARA FM software for digital communications using inexpensive VHF handheld transceivers. Also, the demise of Google's Loon project.
ARRL Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, discusses the increasing weak-signal activity on the 222-MHz band.
Sal Defrancesco, K1RGO, discusses his 630-meter receiving loop antenna design that was published in the February 2022 issue of QST magazine. Also, a quick look at the new Yubico Bio security technology.
Speaking with H. P. Friedrichs, AC7ZL, about his new book “Marvelous Magnetic Machines” and the pleasures of extreme homebrewing.
Chatting with Nelson Sollenberger, KA2C, about his ultra-sharp filters that allow two transceivers to operate in the same band at the same time. Also, a discussion of those mysterious computer "POST beeps."
Discussing station grounding and bonding -- and the new edition of the book of the same title -- with Ward Silver, N0AX.
Let's take a deeper dive into the 1921 Transatlantic Tests with Clark Burgard, N1BCG, and also discuss the on-air activities that will be taking place this month to celebrate the historic anniversary.
A discussion of the 1921 Transatlantic Tests with Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. Also, what's old is new again -- the chlorine battery.
Acoustic dampening with a clever screw design. Also, a conversation about the state of amateur television with Jim Andrews, KH6HTV.
A conversation with Steve Allen, KC1SA, about the how the current semiconductor shortage is impacting the world in general and amateur radio in particular.
Glen Popiel, KW5GP, chats about his new book "Now, More Arduino for Ham Radio," and Arduino projects in general.
VLF and rockets; a revised USB standard; discussing QMESH, a low-cost digital voice and data network, with Dr Daniel Fay, KG5VBY
Getting reacquainted with receive audio filters, and a conversation with Bryant Julestrom, KC0ZNG, about his unique "AC Dummy Load" project in the July 2021 QST "Hints and Hacks" column.
To turn off your station computer or leave it on -- that is the question. Also, Dr Brian Callahan, AD2BA, about a protocol to send binary data via Morse code.
The mystery of Schumann Resonances, and a discussion about stealth antennas with Grant Connell, WD6CNF.
Will AM broadcasts go digital in a new way? The story of the last analog TV stations. A chat with John Stanley, K4ERO, about the low bands and the new solar cycle.
Talking with Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, about the current state of amateur radio satellites, including tips for Field Day.
Digitally-active hams have been using the PSKReporter site on the web for many years, but few have heard from the person behind the technology, Philip Gladstone, N1DQ -- until now!
Diagnosing and treating several troublesome "patients" at W1AW with station manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q.
The interesting history of Trainphone, and advice from Paul Wade, W1GHZ, about operating at 10 GHz.
Rediscovering PSK31, and a chat with author Phil Salas, AD5X, about the new generation of vector network analyzers (VNAs).
Do amateur radio and scientific research go together? Yes! Just ask Kristina Collins, KD8OXT.
Receiving images from NOAA weather satellites; a chat with K7NVH about rockets and high-altitude balloons.
Going on the hunt for interference with ARRL Assistant Laboratory Manager Bob Allison, WB1GCM.
Solid State Hard drive failures; a chat with Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, about receiving signals from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Technology at station W1AW with Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. Also, 6th generation Mesh networking.
Modern vs vintage radios with Bob Allison, WB1GCM. Also, using gravity to generate electricity.
Virtually endless power using diamonds; a chat with Paul Gilbert, KE5ZW, about amateur radio technology in public service.
A celebration of radiosondes, and a discussion with Bob Allison, WB1GCM, about dc power supplies.
A new approach to electromagnetic shielding; a digital archive for the next 1000 years; a chat with Al Rabassa, NW2M, about keeping cool.
A chat with Dr Jon Jones, N0JK, about 222 MHz. Is it really the "forgotten band?" Also, tips on shopping for coaxial cable.
Talking with ARRL Product Review engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, about shopping for HF transceivers.
Combating the ever-increasing noise plague; a ham at CalTech aids in the search for mysterious Fast Radio Bursts.
Hellschreiber; charging electric cars on the fly; the state of ALE - Automatic Link Establishment
Aeronautical radio on HF; the NCDXF/IARU beacon system; SpaceX's Starlink network; putting your computer to work to search for a COVID-19 cure.
A discussion about key clicks; eavesdropping on aircraft; artificial intelligence and ham contesting.
A new distance record on 122 GHz; digital meteor scatter with MSK144; the promises -- and potential problems -- of Wireless Power Transfer technology.
A potential RF treatment for Alzheimer's Disease; listening to the Sun on 20 MHz; the "WOW" signal.
An introduction to JS8Call; SSTV is still going strong; all about arc-fault circuit breakers.
In this podcast . . . a $52,000 station computer, ham applications for Alexa, Virgin Orbit to launch a ham satellite, whales and sunspots, and an introduction to HamSCI.
In our first episode, an audio sample of activity on QO-100, the first geostationary amateur radio satellite transponder; why "dirty" FM handhelds matter; a discussion about the current solar cycle, and more!
ARRL’s biweekly Eclectic Tech podcast highlights technical and scientific topics involving amateur and non-amateur technology. The podcast often features interviews with individuals who are involved in projects of interest to radio amateurs. The host of Eclectic Tech is Steve Ford, WB8IMY.