(YT)VK3YE https://stream.echo6.co/c/vk3ye/videos Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:15:04 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://stream.echo6.co (YT)VK3YE https://stream.echo6.co/client/assets/images/icons/icon-512x512.png https://stream.echo6.co/c/vk3ye/videos All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://stream.echo6.co/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder. https://stream.echo6.co/feeds/podcast/videos.xml?videoChannelId=148 <![CDATA[Starting in amateur radio? Tips from VK7HH and VK3YE]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/ptdcNgPCBHYLmKKrphmQ5m https://stream.echo6.co/w/ptdcNgPCBHYLmKKrphmQ5m Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:09:44 GMT A special collaboration with Hayden VK7HH (Ham Radio DX on YouTube) who crossed the treacherous Bass Strait to record this video. It talks about how each of us got started in radio, the various specialties we're involved in and some ideas for beginners. (Apologies for the colour tint - due to a bad camera setting)

Watch & subscribe to Ham Radio DX here: https://www.youtube.com/HamRadioDX

State of Electronics feature on Fun Way into Electronics at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKAqALa3sJI

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Starting in amateur radio? Tips from VK7HH and VK3YE A special collaboration with Hayden VK7HH (Ham Radio DX on YouTube) who crossed the treacherous Bass Strait to record this video. It talks about how each of us got started in radio, the various specialties we're involved in and some ideas for begi... <![CDATA[Triple Six HF multiband delta loop for 10 to 24 MHz]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/obmNTJbsXncv4kceZWCDn1 https://stream.echo6.co/w/obmNTJbsXncv4kceZWCDn1 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:07:22 GMT Got 18 metres of wire, a couple of poles and not much space? If so this vertically polarised delta loop might work for you. It operates from 10 to 24 MHz and can give DX contacts. But is it directive? Watch the video and find out.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Triple Six HF multiband delta loop for 10 to 24 MHz Got 18 metres of wire, a couple of poles and not much space? If so this vertically polarised delta loop might work for you. It operates from 10 to 24 MHz and can give DX contacts. But is it directive? Watch the video and find out. PS: If you lik... <![CDATA[All for one dollar from the hamfest]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/o821yZSbXrpYsgasCKPdcj https://stream.echo6.co/w/o821yZSbXrpYsgasCKPdcj Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:05:48 GMT Some very cheap finds from a recent hamfest.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult All for one dollar from the hamfest Some very cheap finds from a recent hamfest. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: Subscribing on YouTube,, Checking my books page at https://books.vk3ye.com, Shopping on Amazon via: https://amzn.to... <![CDATA[All bands at once AM receiver]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/eFo4Znze69iko8Xxi26W7m https://stream.echo6.co/w/eFo4Znze69iko8Xxi26W7m Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:05:19 GMT A 'wide as barn door' but deaf receiver that picks up everything at once. High gain audio amp, diode and short whip. I pick up RF noise, AM broadcasters and even airband while near an airport.

Idea from http://www.techlib.com/electronics/allband.htm Or, if you want just airband reception, build this http://www.techlib.com/electronics/aircraft.htm

Possible modification: Potential to make it an audio induction loop receiver. Increase the 1n capacitor in the base of the transistor to 100n. Solder that to the free end of the RCA socket. Change the connections of the switch so it just switches the telescopic whip in and out (ie not to socket). Add a 10 uH coil on an RCA plug. You may be able to hear audio from hearing loop equipped buildings etc. Also other buzzes and noises. Ideas at https://goughlui.com/2014/10/04/project-audio-induction-loop-receiver-part-1/ and http://www.talkingelectronics.com/projects/HearingAid/HearingAid-P1.html

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult All bands at once AM receiver A 'wide as barn door' but deaf receiver that picks up everything at once. High gain audio amp, diode and short whip. I pick up RF noise, AM broadcasters and even airband while near an airport. Idea from http://www.techlib.com/electronics/allband... <![CDATA[How to calculate a mast's height without having to climb it]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/vEhUQBfjcjnJXghLFHf3ok https://stream.echo6.co/w/vEhUQBfjcjnJXghLFHf3ok Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:04:26 GMT Sometimes you need to be able to calculate a mast's height. Here's how to without knowing trigonometry. All you need is space surrounding the mast and a sunny day.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult How to calculate a mast's height without having to climb it Sometimes you need to be able to calculate a mast's height. Here's how to without knowing trigonometry. All you need is space surrounding the mast and a sunny day. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: S... <![CDATA[Some unexpected portable QRP SSTV]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/12zwUta9VSRR3E7smGgjoh https://stream.echo6.co/w/12zwUta9VSRR3E7smGgjoh Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:04:11 GMT Sometimes you plan to do one type of radio activity but end up doing something else. This video is where I go portable and end up working 80m slow scan TV in the middle of the day.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Some unexpected portable QRP SSTV Sometimes you plan to do one type of radio activity but end up doing something else. This video is where I go portable and end up working 80m slow scan TV in the middle of the day. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur R... <![CDATA[Cacophony from the Hawthorn Telephone Exchange]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/jKiBaU4GZ3VPRY5qaDYuPT https://stream.echo6.co/w/jKiBaU4GZ3VPRY5qaDYuPT Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:04:03 GMT More sounds from the Hawthorn Telephone exchange which is now the Telstra Museum here in Melbourne. Spread out over longer so you can hear each better.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Cacophony from the Hawthorn Telephone Exchange More sounds from the Hawthorn Telephone exchange which is now the Telstra Museum here in Melbourne. Spread out over longer so you can hear each better. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: Subscribing o... <![CDATA[A flick through some amateur radio antenna books]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/9VnFRkV6egUWUh8HpyPMS7 https://stream.echo6.co/w/9VnFRkV6egUWUh8HpyPMS7 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:03:52 GMT Always a good source of ideas you should buy antenna books whenever you see them at the right price. And I've written a couple of my own. Look them up at https://books.vk3ye.com

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult A flick through some amateur radio antenna books Always a good source of ideas you should buy antenna books whenever you see them at the right price. And I've written a couple of my own. Look them up at https://books.vk3ye.com PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio... <![CDATA[Portable QRP in the 2019 Commonwealth Contest]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/8x5M3R5ooK1HUNoZvB3mea https://stream.echo6.co/w/8x5M3R5ooK1HUNoZvB3mea Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:03:37 GMT QRP portable operating for three hours during the CW-only Commonwealth Contest.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Portable QRP in the 2019 Commonwealth Contest QRP portable operating for three hours during the CW-only Commonwealth Contest. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: Subscribing on YouTube,, Checking my books page at https://books.vk3ye.com, Shoppi... <![CDATA[Tune for maximum brightness: 160 - 10m series parallel antenna coupler]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/5Xjp9nEz8TnGv36vt8jyfy https://stream.echo6.co/w/5Xjp9nEz8TnGv36vt8jyfy Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:03:21 GMT I built this nearly 30 years ago. It hadn't been used for a long time. I took it off the shelf to try portable with an end-fed 20 metre long wire. It works! Even down to 160 metres! Watch the video to find out more about this very simple one-capacitor antenna coupler.

As for coil turns and taps, the smaller (transmitter end) coil has about 4 or 5 turns. The larger coil has a total of about 40 turns. Have taps every few turns depending on how many positions your rotary switch has. Space the taps unevenly to improve coverage at the higher HF end if desired.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Tune for maximum brightness: 160 - 10m series parallel antenna coupler I built this nearly 30 years ago. It hadn't been used for a long time. I took it off the shelf to try portable with an end-fed 20 metre long wire. It works! Even down to 160 metres! Watch the video to find out more about this very simple one-cap... <![CDATA[Kicking goals with a Rowland Ring: Using a goal post as an HF antenna]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/6E2eqHTQhD9G3M83Hh8gSX https://stream.echo6.co/w/6E2eqHTQhD9G3M83Hh8gSX Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:03:09 GMT Loading up a goal post as an antenna on 7 MHz. Does it work? Watch and find out. If you don't play our type of football, try a metal flag pole instead. Or even a clothes hoist.

Articles on trees as radio antennas (some using Rowland ring): https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/742230.pdf
https://w5jgv.com/tree_antenna/Robert Hand.pdf
http://www.rexresearch.com/squier/squier.htm
https://w5jgv.com/~wfivjgvc/tree_antenna/1975 January Ikrath IEEE tree antennas.pdf

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Kicking goals with a Rowland Ring: Using a goal post as an HF antenna Loading up a goal post as an antenna on 7 MHz. Does it work? Watch and find out. If you don't play our type of football, try a metal flag pole instead. Or even a clothes hoist. Articles on trees as radio antennas (some using Rowland ring): https... <![CDATA[JS8: My first contact]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/2GiWzD3ZgEGRbKRXSGQfpQ https://stream.echo6.co/w/2GiWzD3ZgEGRbKRXSGQfpQ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:02:52 GMT My first contact with the JS8 digital mode on 80m. Like FT8 its transmissions are in 15 second blocks. But unlike FT8 it's a good chat mode ideal for ragchewing (a bit like PSK31 or CW).

Download the JS8Call program here: http://js8call.com

Interface cable video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmxyo1RzaE

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult JS8: My first contact My first contact with the JS8 digital mode on 80m. Like FT8 its transmissions are in 15 second blocks. But unlike FT8 it's a good chat mode ideal for ragchewing (a bit like PSK31 or CW). Download the JS8Call program here: http://js8call.com Int... <![CDATA[Inside an AWA 25M VHF FM carphone transceiver]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/bbM3rfvZ5TAbJPqz52VBrb https://stream.echo6.co/w/bbM3rfvZ5TAbJPqz52VBrb Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:02:37 GMT A look inside an early 1970s AWA VHF FM carphone. Originally used for police, taxis, ambulances and businesses requiring mobile communication they are now obsolete for commercial service. However they can still work on the amateur bands. Video takes a look inside one.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Inside an AWA 25M VHF FM carphone transceiver A look inside an early 1970s AWA VHF FM carphone. Originally used for police, taxis, ambulances and businesses requiring mobile communication they are now obsolete for commercial service. However they can still work on the amateur bands. Video tak... <![CDATA[Top loaded HF vertical antenna with ground tuning unit]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/s7ViUmHwUt6ys8cV289cUa https://stream.echo6.co/w/s7ViUmHwUt6ys8cV289cUa Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:02:26 GMT Don't have much height but have something metal underneath? If so a top loaded vertical is a great antenna to try. Just 10 metres wide and 5 metres tall it will even load up on 3.5 MHz. Especially if you're over salt water, you're unlikely to get anything better for its size.

The key items needed include wire, two poles, a simple antenna coupler (an L-match is fine), something to clip onto the counterpoise railing and a ground tuning unit. I'll probably describe a more refined version later but it comprises a variable capacitor in series with an inductor. It's also desirable to have an RF current indicator.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Top loaded HF vertical antenna with ground tuning unit Don't have much height but have something metal underneath? If so a top loaded vertical is a great antenna to try. Just 10 metres wide and 5 metres tall it will even load up on 3.5 MHz. Especially if you're over salt water, you're unlikely to get ... <![CDATA[Mystery bargains at the 2019 Cranbourne hamfest]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/krrRXUR3cA1731bSsBiNqj https://stream.echo6.co/w/krrRXUR3cA1731bSsBiNqj Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:02:15 GMT A trip to the 2019 Gippsland Gate Hamfest held on Saturday July 20, 2019 at Cranbourne. What mystery bargains and freebies do I find? And do any of them work? Watch and find out.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Mystery bargains at the 2019 Cranbourne hamfest A trip to the 2019 Gippsland Gate Hamfest held on Saturday July 20, 2019 at Cranbourne. What mystery bargains and freebies do I find? And do any of them work? Watch and find out. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radi... <![CDATA[An electret microphone crystal set]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/iRpDqsBhcxqkf7WTTWbF45 https://stream.echo6.co/w/iRpDqsBhcxqkf7WTTWbF45 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:55 GMT A simple crystal set capable of driving low impedance headphones. Inspired by article in February 2019 Silicon Chip magazine. Uses electret microphone as detector.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult An electret microphone crystal set A simple crystal set capable of driving low impedance headphones. Inspired by article in February 2019 Silicon Chip magazine. Uses electret microphone as detector. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: S... <![CDATA[Rowland Ring Railing HF Receive Antenna]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/5WwreZYDxQJvJYfRe9rWZd https://stream.echo6.co/w/5WwreZYDxQJvJYfRe9rWZd Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:44 GMT Using the railing of a pier as a receiving antenna. Uses a torodal Rowland Ring as featured in previous video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ednG74fLNTM

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Rowland Ring Railing HF Receive Antenna Using the railing of a pier as a receiving antenna. Uses a torodal Rowland Ring as featured in previous video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ednG74fLNTM PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: Subscribi... <![CDATA[Ground tuning unit for HF vertical antennas]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/e9HF9UikbEckHEE7Zr1YgK https://stream.echo6.co/w/e9HF9UikbEckHEE7Zr1YgK Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:31 GMT Describing a ground tuning unit. A useful accessory if using vertical antennas with counterpoises such as pier railings. Video gives information on building on. Later on there's midday tests with 3.5 MHz QRP SSB contacts up to several hundred kilometres.

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Ground tuning unit for HF vertical antennas Describing a ground tuning unit. A useful accessory if using vertical antennas with counterpoises such as pier railings. Video gives information on building on. Later on there's midday tests with 3.5 MHz QRP SSB contacts up to several hundred kilo... <![CDATA[Frequency shifting a crystal oscillator module]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/1bJa3D7kKece7QRnnyuUSH https://stream.echo6.co/w/1bJa3D7kKece7QRnnyuUSH Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:20 GMT Varying the voltage to slightly shift the frequency of a crystal oscillator module. How far can you move them?

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Frequency shifting a crystal oscillator module Varying the voltage to slightly shift the frequency of a crystal oscillator module. How far can you move them? PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: Subscribing on YouTube,, Checking my books page at h... <![CDATA[Rowland Ring antenna WSPR transmitting tests]]> https://stream.echo6.co/w/3gPNH8ZCeRmQYtLT7FryP2 https://stream.echo6.co/w/3gPNH8ZCeRmQYtLT7FryP2 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:09 GMT Loading up a football goal post as an HF antenna. This time I try WSPR transmitting and compare results with the home antenna (G5RV). If you haven't done so please watch the first video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ednG74fLNTM

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]]> (YT)VK3YE nonadult Rowland Ring antenna WSPR transmitting tests Loading up a football goal post as an HF antenna. This time I try WSPR transmitting and compare results with the home antenna (G5RV). If you haven't done so please watch the first video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ednG74fLNTM PS: If you li...