73 Amateur Radio Today – May 1983
Issue Contents:
Construct This Classic Transmitter
– From the era of the tube comes this ageless design runner-up In 73’s Home-brew II Contest. It’s perfect for a flrst project or as a backup rig …… W1BG 14
Build the Revolutionary Parastat
– After some rule-bending and wire-straightening N6LM discovered the parastat antenna It has gain when you want and a null when you don’t …… N6LM 24
Talk Softly and Load a Big Stick
– Turn a six-foot stick Into an antenna that will ramrod your signal into the ether. And when you’re off the air you’ve got a coat rack …… KC2NT 26
Build This Cornerless Quad for 2 Meters
– Here’s an antenna that you can cut corners on All you lose is high cost …… K6KTS 30
Tuned Feeders for Oddballs
– To get that good DX you’ve been missing add some versatility and multiband capability to your wire antennas …… W0VM 38
Condo Secret Agent
– The word at many condominiums is “no antennas allowed.” Here’s how one ham survived …… K0REC/4 44
Make the Icom 720A Work for You
– This rig knows when you change bands so why not let it switch your antennas? Build this simple add-on and let your voltage do the work …… N4BL 46
The New Communications: VHF Mailboxes
– Join the growing wave of hams using digital techniques to get their message across. AF2M describes the (log) ins and outs of mailbox systems …… AF2M 48
The Morning Beverage Antenna
– If you are a coffee drinker and you work 2 meters you’ll love this antenna. W4FXE shows you how to get wide bandwidths and small size at low cost …… W4FXE 54
Try Out a Low-level Lazy Loop
– It may be only 10 feet up but this aerial is no worm-burner. Better still it will fit almost anywhere …… W1XU 56
Gin Pole for Peanuts
– Ever pull yourself up by the bootstraps? Build this gin pole and let it do the same for your tower …… N4UH 58
Coax Connector Workshop
– Tracking down feedline-related problems can make strong men cry. By starting out right you can avoid hassles …… N1BLH 60
Make Your Noise Bridge Even Better
– Use these shortcuts for easy calibration and give your transmitter 1:1 vision …… K4KI 64
Antenna Refinishing the Easy Way
– When a vertical begins looking like a rusty downspout it’s time for some maintenance. Here’s how K6EW saved a hamfest special …… K6EW 70
73 Cents for a Voltage-transient Detector
– Forget those expensive and complex Insurance policies Here’s the best protection you can get-and the cheapest …… WB8OWM 83
Build the Armchair Satellite Tracker
– Simple and cheap this setup will follow OSCAR around like a dog. Put it together lean back and let this control system do the work for you …… K3LF 84
73 Amateur Radio Today – May 1983