Amateur Radio Kits.In

10/08/2025

Understanding what is SSTV.

Slow Scan Television (SSTV) – Sending Pictures Over Radio

Ham radio isn’t just about talking with your voice or sending Morse code – you can also send pictures!
One popular way to do this is called Slow Scan Television, or SSTV.

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What is SSTV?

SSTV is a method of sending still pictures (not videos) over the air using radio waves.
The “slow scan” part means it sends the picture line by line, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes to send one image.

It works because pictures are turned into sound tones, and those tones are sent over the radio.
At the receiving end, the tones are turned back into a picture.

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Why do Hams Use SSTV?

Fun – It’s exciting to send and receive pictures from around the world.

Space contacts – The International Space Station (ISS) sometimes sends SSTV images, and many hams enjoy collecting them.

Event QSLs – Some hams send pictures instead of just voice or text, like postcards over the air.

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What Do You Need for SSTV?

You don’t need a fancy setup to start with. Here’s the basic equipment:

1. Ham Radio – HF for long distance (e.g., 14.230 MHz) or VHF/UHF for local/ISS reception.

2. Computer or Smartphone – To run SSTV software.

3. Interface Cable – Connects your radio’s audio to your computer or phone.

4. SSTV Software/App – Examples:

Windows: MMSSTV (free)

Android: Robot36 (receive), SSTV Encoder (send)

iOS: CQ SSTV

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How SSTV Works – Simple Steps

1. Choose a Picture – A photo, drawing, or text image.

2. Encode – The software turns the image into audio tones.

3. Transmit – The audio goes into your radio, which sends it over the air.

4. Receive – Another ham’s software hears the tones and rebuilds the picture.

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Popular SSTV Modes

Martin M1 / M2 – Common for HF, good quality.

Scottie S1 / S2 – Also very popular.

PD Modes – Used for faster or higher-quality pictures.

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Where to Listen for SSTV

HF Band Example: 14.230 MHz USB (very popular for SSTV on 20 meters)

ISS Events: 145.800 MHz FM (check NASA/ARISS schedules)

Local VHF: Some repeaters also support SSTV.

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Tips for Beginners

Start by receiving first – It’s easier and fun to collect pictures.

Use a good antenna for clearer signals.

Save your received pictures – many hams collect them like stamps.

Join SSTV communities online for schedules and tips.

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Why “Slow” in Slow Scan?

A normal TV picture updates many times per second. SSTV sends only one still image slowly so it can fit into narrow ham radio channels without using too much bandwidth.

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In Short

SSTV is like sending postcards through the air.
It’s simple, creative, and a great way to connect with other hams. Whether you’re catching pictures from space or sending your own, SSTV adds a colorful twist to amateur radio.

10/08/2025

Slow Scan Television (SSTV) – Sending Pictures Over Radio

Ham radio isn’t just about talking with your voice or sending Morse code – you can also send pictures!
One popular way to do this is called Slow Scan Television, or SSTV.

---

What is SSTV?

SSTV is a method of sending still pictures (not videos) over the air using radio waves.
The “slow scan” part means it sends the picture line by line, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes to send one image.

It works because pictures are turned into sound tones, and those tones are sent over the radio.
At the receiving end, the tones are turned back into a picture.

---

Why do Hams Use SSTV?

Fun – It’s exciting to send and receive pictures from around the world.

Space contacts – The International Space Station (ISS) sometimes sends SSTV images, and many hams enjoy collecting them.

Event QSLs – Some hams send pictures instead of just voice or text, like postcards over the air.

---

What Do You Need for SSTV?

You don’t need a fancy setup to start with. Here’s the basic equipment:

1. Ham Radio – HF for long distance (e.g., 14.230 MHz) or VHF/UHF for local/ISS reception.

2. Computer or Smartphone – To run SSTV software.

3. Interface Cable – Connects your radio’s audio to your computer or phone.

4. SSTV Software/App – Examples:

Windows: MMSSTV (free)

Android: Robot36 (receive), SSTV Encoder (send)

iOS: CQ SSTV

---

How SSTV Works – Simple Steps

1. Choose a Picture – A photo, drawing, or text image.

2. Encode – The software turns the image into audio tones.

3. Transmit – The audio goes into your radio, which sends it over the air.

4. Receive – Another ham’s software hears the tones and rebuilds the picture.

---

Popular SSTV Modes

Martin M1 / M2 – Common for HF, good quality.

Scottie S1 / S2 – Also very popular.

PD Modes – Used for faster or higher-quality pictures.

---

Where to Listen for SSTV

HF Band Example: 14.230 MHz USB (very popular for SSTV on 20 meters)

ISS Events: 145.800 MHz FM (check NASA/ARISS schedules)

Local VHF: Some repeaters also support SSTV.

---

Tips for Beginners

Start by receiving first – It’s easier and fun to collect pictures.

Use a good antenna for clearer signals.

Save your received pictures – many hams collect them like stamps.

Join SSTV communities online for schedules and tips.

---

Why “Slow” in Slow Scan?

A normal TV picture updates many times per second. SSTV sends only one still image slowly so it can fit into narrow ham radio channels without using too much bandwidth.

---

In Short

SSTV is like sending postcards through the air.
It’s simple, creative, and a great way to connect with other hams. Whether you’re catching pictures from space or sending your own, SSTV adds a colorful twist to amateur radio.

09/08/2025

A new generation of ham's

A novice ham radio enthusiast learning Morse code in his father's amateur radio station.

09/08/2025

A novice ham radio enthusiast learning Morse code in his father's amateur radio station.

09/08/2025

🔥 Humans vs. Machines: Which Radio Has More Soul? 🔥

There was a time when radios weren’t just built… they were crafted.
Back in the golden age of vacuum tubes, skilled hands twisted wires, placed each component with care, and soldered every joint like an artist painting a masterpiece. These tube radios didn’t just sound good – they had personality. The warm glow of the glass, the polished wood enclosures, and that rich, full-bodied sound… it was like music wrapped in nostalgia. 🎶✨

Fast-forward to today’s SDR (Software Defined Radio) transceivers – sleek, precise, and packed with power. SMT components and robotic soldering mean perfection every time. But somewhere in that perfection… some say the soul got lost.

Both have their place – one sings with the warmth of human craftsmanship, the other speaks with the efficiency of the digital age.
The question is… which one wins your heart? ❤️

09/08/2025

Here’s something you don’t see every day – an antique Silvertone radio dial from the mid-20th century, and it’s not just about tuning into music stations. This dial is a piece of broadcasting history!

Unlike modern radios that only display standard FM or AM bands, this beauty is packed with multiple layers of information:

🔹 American Broadcast Band – The main AM broadcast frequencies (550–1700 kHz) for popular music, news, and entertainment of the time.

🔹 Foreign Stations – City names like Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, Tokyo, Geneva, Havana, and Moscow are printed around the edges, guiding listeners to where in the world they might “tune in” on shortwave.

🔹 Amateur Radio Frequencies – Marked as “Amateur”, showing the ham bands where licensed operators chatted across continents – a thrill for early radio hobbyists.

🔹 Aviation Bands – Clearly labeled “Aviation”, these sections point to frequencies used by early aircraft communications – a time when hearing pilots talk was exciting and rare.

🔹 Police Bands – Yes, there’s even “Police” marked on the dial! Back then, police transmissions were unencrypted and could be picked up on household radios. Imagine sitting in your living room and hearing a real-time police chase!

This dial wasn’t just a tuning guide – it was a window to the world. In an era without the internet or TV on demand, one radio could let you hear jazz from New York, a BBC news bulletin from London, a pilot reporting weather over the Atlantic, or a ham operator sending greetings from the other side of the globe.

Today, it’s a nostalgic reminder of a time when listening was an adventure – and every turn of the dial was like opening a door to a different part of the world. 🌍📻

08/08/2025

Adjusting the tuning dial on a 1946 Dynatron Merlin T.69 console radio receiver reveals an innermost scale displaying wavelengths from 2000 to 800 metres, corresponding to frequencies between 150 and 375 kHz.

08/08/2025

In 1895, Marconi developed the first spark gap transmitter, which demanded only the most basic components.

08/08/2025

Have you qsl cards ♦️ ?

Interestingly, QSL cards are available for sale on eBay, hence it is prudent to conserve them as they may become a treasured resource for future financial needs.

08/08/2025

Interestingly, QSL cards are available for sale on eBay, hence it is prudent to conserve them as they may become a treasured resource for future financial needs.

08/08/2025

🚀 “Talk to the World from the Sky!” – Ham Radio from the Top of Burj Khalifa 🏙️📡

Ever dreamt of making HF radio contacts from the top of the world? 🌍
Picture yourself atop the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai – the tallest building on Earth – with a portable HF rig in hand and a telescopic antenna aimed at the horizon.

Would you need a massive antenna to reach across continents?

Surprisingly, the answer is likely NO!

💡 Here’s why:

Height = Power: At over 800 meters above ground, your signal has a nearly unobstructed path. This crystal-clear line of sight can stretch hundreds – even thousands – of kilometers!

The Burj as Your Ground Plane: The building’s massive steel and concrete structure would act as a superb ground plane, boosting your antenna’s performance far beyond what it could achieve at ground level.

No Full-Length Needed: While a full-size HF antenna is ideal, portable operators often use shortened or loaded antennas. On the Burj Khalifa, the incredible height and natural ground plane effect make even a short telescopic whip surprisingly effective.

So next time you see a towering skyscraper, imagine the DXing possibilities!


Ham radio isn’t just about equipment – it’s about understanding and using the physics of radio waves to your advantage.

📻 Ham Radio – where science meets adventure!

07/08/2025

Qrp Vs Qro

QRP vs QRO in Ham Radio: A Friendly Look at Both Worlds

Ham radio is a beautiful and diverse hobby, uniting people across the world with a shared love of communication, technology, and experimentation. Among its many aspects, one friendly point of discussion is the choice between QRP (low power) and QRO (high power) operation. Each has its charm, strengths, and responsibilities.

Rather than debating which is "better," let's explore the advantages and disadvantages of each, along with some gentle reflections on how both can be used ethically and respectfully.

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🌱 What is QRP?

QRP generally refers to transmitting at low power – usually 5 watts or less for CW/digital and 10 watts or less for SSB.

✅ Advantages of QRP

Simplicity and Portability: QRP rigs are often small and lightweight, perfect for field operations, SOTA (Summits on the Air), POTA (Parks on the Air), or travel.

Power Efficiency: Ideal for battery-powered operation, especially with solar or other renewable sources.

Skill Development: Operating QRP sharpens listening, antenna tuning, and operating skills.

Less Interference: Lower output means a smaller footprint, reducing the chance of interfering with nearby devices or neighbors.

Affordable Equipment: QRP gear is often more affordable, making it a welcoming entry point for newcomers.

⚠️ Disadvantages of QRP

Challenging Conditions: Making contacts, especially over long distances or in poor propagation, can be difficult.

Limited Coverage: It may not be suitable for emergency communication where strong and reliable signals are needed.

Operator Fatigue: Repeated CQ calls without response can be tiring, especially for newer hams.

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🔊 What is QRO?

QRO typically refers to transmitting with higher power, often 100 watts or more, using amplifiers to reach distant stations more reliably.

✅ Advantages of QRO

Stronger Signal: Easier to break through noise and pileups, especially during contests or DXing.

Greater Reliability: In emergencies or poor band conditions, higher power ensures you're heard when it matters.

Less Repetition: Fewer repeats, clearer reception, and smoother QSOs – especially with stations in remote regions.

Ideal for Weak Signal Modes: Supports high-performance communication in digital modes or moonbounce.

⚠️ Disadvantages of QRO

Higher Cost: Amplifiers, power supplies, and heat management systems add to the budget.

Increased Risk of Interference: Stronger signals may unintentionally affect neighbors' electronics or other hams nearby.

Less Portable: High-power setups are often heavier and not suited for on-the-go operations.

Power Consumption: Not ideal for battery or solar-only stations.

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🤝 Ethical Use: Respecting the Spirit of Ham Radio

Both QRP and QRO are completely valid, ethically sound ways to enjoy ham radio. What matters most is how we use them.

🧭 A few guiding principles:

Operate Responsibly: Whether running 1 watt or 1 kilowatt, always avoid causing harmful interference.

Give Room to Others: Be mindful of band conditions and other operators sharing the spectrum.

Encourage Learning: Share your experiences – QRPers can inspire simplicity, and QRO operators can demonstrate reach and capability.

Support Newcomers: Help others find their path, whether it’s minimalist QRP kits or building a solid QRO shack.

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🌟 Final Thoughts: Different Paths, Same Purpose

In the end, QRP and QRO are like two sides of the same coin. Some enjoy the quiet challenge of working the world with milliwatts. Others find satisfaction in using powerful setups to support global nets or disaster relief. Most of us enjoy a bit of both, depending on the day and the purpose.

The magic of ham radio lies in its diversity. Whether you're whispering across the airwaves with 5 watts or making your voice boom with 500, you're part of a global family united by curiosity, service, and goodwill.

Let’s celebrate every signal, strong or weak — after all, every QSO is a connection worth appreciating.