[Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

It seems to me that a good basic knowledge of electronics is enough, 
without spending a fortune on test equipment -- unless that appeals to you.

The recent threads on power supplies and voltage at the transceiver is a 
good example.

Sure, you can measure the drop with a good voltmeter, either measured 
across the wire, or measured at the terminals.

You can also find a good set of wire tables, and calculate the drop 
across a given length of wire.  If the drop is going to be too high, go 
to a higher gauge.

Back to the DVM, you can check the connectors (resistance) and calculate 
the voltage drop at 100% power out.

If you aren't sure, look at the fuses.  The current will be lower than 
the fuse rating, so that gives you extra margin, which is never bad.

Then you test.  Hook up your dummy load, transmit CW at 100w (or in my 
case, about 12w), and see what you've got at the transceiver.

If it sags, grab your DVM and measure the power terminals on the power 
supply.

It's not that hard, and the necessary equipment can be had for under $40 
or so.

I'm a software guy.  I know how many programmers it takes to change a 
lightbulb (they can't, it's a hardware problem).  I can do this.  So can 
you.

This list is a great place to ask simple questions (and sometimes watch 
them get beaten into the ground).

73 -- Lynn

On 10/29/2015 11:39 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> Ham radio is a hobby for those who are willing to learn about how 
> radio works. To obtain a license, we must pass a test that shows we 
> know the fundamentals of radio and electronics.