Tech Tips

• Current baluns
  Explore what a current balun does and why you need one, by John VA7JW. (PDF 315KB)
• HFTA Tutorial
  High-frequency terrain analysis using HFTA software is explained in detail by John VA7JW. (PDF 2.2MB)
• Lighting Protection
  John VA7JW covers lighting protection for those of us in BC and the Pacific Northwest. (PDF 3MB)
• SB220 Compendium
  This remarkable guide by John VA7JW offers everything you need to know about the care and feeding of your SB-220 linear amplifier. (PDF 246k)
• SB220 Mods
  More ideas and examples for the sturdy Heathkit workhorse.
• HN-31 Cantenna
  John VA7JW has a detailed look at the Heathkit HN-31 Cantenna -- a must-read for anyone owning this classic dummy load. (PDF 553k)
• Resistor Color Codes
  A guide to reading color-coded resistor values.
• Soldering PL-259s
  John VA7JW offers tips for success with the ol' iron. (PDF 246k)
• Solderless PL-259s
  A tutorial on the little-known but effective solderless PL259 connector from John VA7JW. (PDF 212k)

Crimp coax connectors
Paul VE7BZ has two tutorials for doing them right every time.

• RG-213
• LMR-400

• Building a balun?
  Here's a treasure-trove of information on baluns for HF applications.

• Coax measurements
  VK1OD has built a calculator for coax line loss. Enter your coax type, length and frequency, and see how many dB you're losing. The math and background is all there, too.
• CDE Meter Scale
  Convert a South-centered CDE meter scale to a North-centered scale.

• Wavelength calculator
  Cut that wire antenna to the correct length.

Operating Resources

RAC Radio Amateurs of Canada ARRL Suppliers Reflector Central Internet Ham Atlas DX Lab software suite VE3NEA (DX Atlas, Bulletin Reader...)

eHam Product Reviews QTH.com Classifieds eBay Ham Gear QRZ.com Forums DXCC list (with beam headings) Distance/bearing -- grid squares Distance/bearing -- cities VOACAP.com online

Band Aids

160M Prop Table Top Band reflector Canadian band plan SpaceWeather.com

50 Mhz Propagation Logger VHF Sherlock 6M QSO map Live HF prop maps Live The Sun Now

Tools for DXing

Tools for Contesting