Dean M7SUX, Author at Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club (Hampshire)

Before Grabbing the Mic: How to Check Band Conditions before going Portable

by Dean M7SUX | 6 Nov 25 | Operating, Promotion, QRP

Are you planning a portable radio adventure (POTA, SOTA, BOTA, etc.)? More than once I’ve ventured out, spent a few minutes setting up (or much longer when it’s been a new antenna configuration), then spun the dial in eagerness only to hear: hsssssssss! No contacts. Nothing 🥲 Regardless of going QRP (low-power operation ≤ 5-10…

More on 'Before Grabbing the Mic: How to Check Band Conditions before going Portable'…

Reducing QTH QRM without Altering your Transceiver

by Dean M7SUX | 4 Oct 24 | Blog

Reducing QTH/RX White Noise The QRM Problem. Our weekly open club net uses the repeater GB3CW. Sometimes, my home location (QTH) generates significant white noise, making listening to others’ transmissions on the net difficult (-to-impossible). Yet, my colleagues tell me that my transmissions are strong and audible (5/7 – 5/9). My tinnitus and brain-foibles can…

More on 'Reducing QTH QRM without Altering your Transceiver'…

145 Alive: How I Researched my Best Location for TX

by Dean M7SUX | 28 Sep 24 | Blog

Introduction. (Updated July 2025…) On 29th September 2024 (Edit: and continuing with subsequent 145 Alive events…), I’m hoping to venture out to take part in the event 145 Alive (visit 145 Alive’s Facebook home). This blog documents how I researched my ideal transmitting location for the 145 Alive event, using Amateur Radio “Foundation” Licence-level knowledge…

More on '145 Alive: How I Researched my Best Location for TX'…

The Slug-Tape J-Pole Antenna

by Dean M7SUX | 10 Aug 24 | Antennas, Homebrew

Antenna Construction… for Emotional Health! One of the major struggles I have with amateur radio construction is having the insides of my head yell: “you’re going to make ONE mistake, and the whole construction will be ruined because you don’t know how to undo errors!”. Borrowing from mental health concepts, to fellow amateur radio enthusiasts…

More on 'The Slug-Tape J-Pole Antenna'…

Wolfwave Audio Processor

by Dean M7SUX | 28 Jun 24 | Audio Filters, Reviews

A Review – and a Relief. I have a type of brain that shuts down when too much information goes into it. White noise, crackles, burps and ker-chunks from amateur radio transmissions can make it difficult-to-impossible for me to focus. In such a mental-state, I cannot hear what my radio is receiving. I used to…