Links
This page will contain helpful links for amateur radio operators. Initially, we’ll be adding links that are discussed or mentioned during the Elmer Net (Saturday, 7:00pm, 146.94 repeater). If the list grows too long, we’ll break it up into categories.
DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of links on this page and site do not imply any endorsement or suitability for a particular purpose. Austin Amateur Radio Club provides these links only for convenience and informational purposes. It is your responsibility to exercise appropriate caution when visiting any website. We encourage you to use a virus scanner from a reputable vendor that also checks web pages for malicious pages and software.
Most Casual Observer Blog – Baofeng Handheld Transceivers(HT) and Spurious Radio Frequency(RF) Emissions
A Cautionary Tale for New Hams and Other Prospective Buyers
SolarHam.net – https://solarham.net/
Great site for solar weather information
CW Skimmer – http://www.dxatlas.com/cwskimmer/
Multi-channel CW decoder and analyzer (mentioned on Elmer Net)
CW Decoder – http://www.hotamateurprograms.com/Program%20Descriptions/CW%20Decoder%20Program%20Features.htm
Decode or Transmit Morse code (mentioned on Elmer Net)
EZNEC Antenna Modeling – https://www.eznec.com/
VHF Propagation Map — http://aprs.mennolink.org/
World-wide map showing actual radio propagation from stations operated near 144 MHz. Data is gathered by APRS-IS.
Remote Receiver — https://www.smeter.net/
Check your signal and listen to others on remote receivers.
Band Conditions — https://bandconditions.com/
Simple VU-meter style indication of band conditions.
WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) — http://wsprnet.org/
The WSPR Network is a group of amateur radio operators using K1JT’s MEPT_JT digital mode to probe RF propagation conditions using very low power transmissions. Click “Map” on the top menu bar to see a visual depiction of current conditions.
Propagation Maps — https://www.dxmaps.com/
Yet another real-time propagation map – geared to VHF/UHF (28MHz-450+MHz). You can choose what band and mode.
Ham Radio Software (several) — https://www.dxlabsuite.com/
A good selection of software for transceiver control, logging, propagation, and more!
Logbook of the World (LOTW) — http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world
Can’t send/receive QSL cards? There is an electronic option that a large number of hams use. If your QSO contact also uses LOTW, you’ll likely get confirmation pretty quickly!
“The Toroid King” — https://kitsandparts.com/
Lots of useful information, including toroids, capacitors, magnet wire, and more!
Supplying Toroids, Electronic Parts and Kits to Engineers, Schools and Hobbyists
K0BG — http://www.k0bg.com/
Mentioned in Lew’s (W5IFQ) presentation at the February 2019 AARC meeting. A great resource for information.
VHF/UHF in a Prius — https://www.shawngarringer.org/hamming-it-up-in-the-toyota-prius/
Some basic information about installing a VHF/UHF rig in a Prius.
Lightning Safety — http://lightningsafety.com/
Ham Radio Exams Online
Listed in no particular order. Some discussed on-the-air during Elmer Net. Others heard by word-of-mouth. Most are free. This isn’t an endorsement of any one in particular, so try them out and see which one you like! These are all online, browser-based exams.
ARRL Exam Review — http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com/
Free. Registration required. All levels. You do not need to be an ARRL member.
AA9PW Radio Exam Practice — http://aa9pw.com/
Free. Registration required. All levels. Custom tests are available for a fee.
Ham Radio Prep — https://hamradioprep.com/
Paid. Registration required. Technician and/or General class only.
HamExam.org — https://hamexam.org/
Free. Registration optional to save preferences. All levels. Flash cards, Practice exams, Question pools.
eHam.net Ham Exams — https://www.eham.net/exams/
Free. No registration. All levels. Practice exams.
QRZ.com Practice Amateur Radio Exams — https://www.qrz.com/hamtest/
Free. Registration required. All levels.
HamStudy.org by Signal Stuff — https://hamstudy.org/
Free. Registration optional (to see your study history). All levels, including Canadian and French Canadian exams, as well as several other FCC elements (1, 3, 6, 7, 7R, 8, 9). Note: When you click Practice Test, it will ask you to login, but you can click “Continue as guest” to skip login.
RadioQTH Exams — http://www.radioqth.net/exams
Free. Registration required for exams; review of questions/answers in study mode without registration. All levels.
Submitted by Our Readers and Friends of AARC
The following links were submitted by our readers and other friends of AARC. Though not all are technical in nature, these links are germane to the field or spirit of Amateur Radio.
All About Circuits — https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ An active and open electrical engineering online community that provides both interesting content and useful resources for electrical engineers and Amateur Radio Operators, especially the Education and Tools sections.
All About Electronics Circuits For Kids — https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Info/All-About-Electronic-Circuits-for-Kids A car enthusiast site with a number of good links for kids of all ages to learn about basic electronics.
A Guide to Soldering Precious Metals, Gold and Circuits — https://www.madisontrust.com/client-resources/articles/guide-to-soldering-metal-gold-and-circuits/ Good info for beginners and those soldering plated items. Many links to other background info. [Warning: The primary website is commercial in nature and is not amateur radio related.]
Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications — https://alertfind.com/amateur-radio-and-emergency-communications/Some basic info with links for further reading. [Warning: The primary website is commercial in nature and is not amateur radio related.]
Ultimate Guide to Disaster Preparedness on a Budget — https://couponfollow.com/research/disaster-preparedness-on-a-budget Some helpful ideas on preparing a disaster preparedness plan. [Warning: The primary website is commercial in nature and is not amateur radio related and is definitely not endorsed by AARC. This page on Disaster Preparedness, however, has some good info.]
NOTES:
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