http://makeRF.com makeRF: Fun with DIY Radios, Antennas, Transmitters & More! Amateur Radio Ham Radio Copyright 2026 makeRF.com http://makerf.com/images/makerf.png http://makeRF.com en-us Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500 720 http://makeRF.com/posts/ten-minute-transmitter http://makeRF.com/posts/ten-minute-transmitter The Ten Minute Transmitter is a simple shortwave transmitter you can build in just minutes! Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500 http://makeRF.com/posts/arrl-field-day-2015 http://makeRF.com/posts/arrl-field-day-2015 Experiences from the 2015 ARRL Field Day Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400 http://makeRF.com/posts/dayton-hamvention-2015-roundup http://makeRF.com/posts/dayton-hamvention-2015-roundup This past weekend was the 2015 Dayton Hamvention, the biggest convention dedicated to amateur radio. Wed, 20 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400 http://makeRF.com/posts/a-crystal-powered-steampunk-matchbox-radio http://makeRF.com/posts/a-crystal-powered-steampunk-matchbox-radio Crystal radios in their most basic form require no electrical power, and are directly powered by the radio waves floating around us.  Of course, you can add a little amplification to boost performance, like in my Altoids tin crystal radio, but it's not required. Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500 http://makeRF.com/posts/make-your-own-rocket-radio-with-the-ta7642 http://makeRF.com/posts/make-your-own-rocket-radio-with-the-ta7642 Make a basic TRF AM radio receiver with the TA7642 (a.k.a. MK484 or ZN414). Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500 http://makeRF.com/posts/a-better-amplified-crystal-oscillator-transmitter http://makeRF.com/posts/a-better-amplified-crystal-oscillator-transmitter A better design for a basic 1 to 20 watt crystal oscillator transmitter. Thu, 30 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400 http://makeRF.com/posts/elecraft-kx3-palm-paddles-hardware-mod http://makeRF.com/posts/elecraft-kx3-palm-paddles-hardware-mod A simple modification to the Elecraft KX3 to mount Palm Mini Paddles to the case Wed, 08 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400 http://makeRF.com/posts/new-rig-in-the-shack-the-elecraft-kx3 http://makeRF.com/posts/new-rig-in-the-shack-the-elecraft-kx3 Overview and review of the Elecraft KX3 ham radio tranceiver, and assembly notes. Thu, 25 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400 http://makeRF.com/posts/go-get-your-ham-radio-license http://makeRF.com/posts/go-get-your-ham-radio-license I've often encouraged readers of this website to consider getting a ham radio license; and if you are already licensed, upgrade! It's not as daunting as you might think, and it opens your opportunity to legally experiment with radio in a wide variety of ways. Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0400 http://makeRF.com/posts/more-fun-with-crystal-oscillators-amplifying-rf http://makeRF.com/posts/more-fun-with-crystal-oscillators-amplifying-rf When I first started experimenting with these basic transmitter circuits, the first thing I wanted to do was to boost the signal. By increasing the RF output with a simple amplifier, the crystal oscillator can be the basis of a useful communications tool. Sun, 27 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400