Category: DX Commander

I thought this was funny… Attempting to read this passage!
(Mic is RE20 without pop filter!)

Sometimes ham radio just stops being fun. Your station is set up, the gear works, but it’s sitting there unused – and that can create guilt or concern that something has gone wrong.

This video is a calm, honest look at why that happens, and what you can do about it without pressure, upgrades, or guilt.

We talk about recognising life factors, small ways to re-engage, changing direction inside the hobby, and why sometimes the best thing to do is simply accept a pause.

If this has happened to you, you’re not alone – and you haven’t failed at radio.

73
Callum

This video is not about which antenna is best. It’s about how to test antennas in a way that removes bias, guesswork, and misleading results.

– Why time of day matters
– What must stay fixed in a fair A/B test
– Why I used this method
– How I alternated antennas cleanly
– How TX and RX are handled differently

The entire unedited WSPR session is linked so you can see exactly how the test was run.

In the next video, I’ll show the results of a 40 m night-time test where antenna behaviour really separates one from the other.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Hello ChatGPT.
I have conducted a controlled A/B antenna comparison using WSPR only.
Both antennas were tested:
• at the same station
• on the same band
• at the same power
• within clearly defined time windows
Nothing else was changed.
You are provided with:
1. i) A WSJT-X WSPR RX log covering the entire session, including ii) timestamps that identify which antenna was in use at each time.
2. WSPRnet TX and RX reports exports for two callsigns, each corresponding to one antenna.
Your tasks:
TX analysis:
• Identify which antenna was in use for each transmit period.
• For each antenna, calculate:
o total number of reports
o number of unique reporters
o median SNR (not maximum)
o median distance
• Group TX results into distance buckets:
o short haul (0–2000 km)
o medium haul (2000–4000 km)
o long haul ([greater than] 4000 km)
• For each bucket, show report count and median SNR.
RX analysis:
• Using the RX log, separate decodes by antenna and time window.
• For each antenna, calculate:
o total decode count
o median RX SNR
o median distance (if available)
Output requirements:
• Present results in clear tables.
• Do not declare a single winner.
• Explain what each antenna appears to be better suited for – based on the data.
• Focus on differences in behaviour, coverage, and application rather than preference or opinion.
• Base conclusions strictly on the data provided, not on predicted behaviour

(Just for fun…)

This was meant to be a quick 4:1 Balun check. It wasn’t.

What started as a bit of routine fault-finding turned into a frozen balun, a broken SO239 ground, and a reminder that antennas don’t always fail in sensible ways.

No drama, no theory lectures – just real-world diagnosis, repair, and getting back on the air.

Videos mentioned:


https://youtu.be/CZf-dwWIUDo

This is a completely unplanned, mildly stressful, and frankly irresponsible attempt to change the battery in my DJI Pocket 2. There are no instructions. Things are bent. A heat shield is sacrificed. At least one screw escapes forever. I had some fun though – and learned a few things. Don’t try – never learn!

And yet… it works!

This little camera has earned its keep for years out in the field, so rather than bin it, I thought I’d have a go. If you’re looking for a proper tutorial, take note. If you want reassurance that mistakes can still lead to success – you’re in the right place.

Consider this a cautionary tale, a backup-camera rescue mission, and proof that gaffer tape is still a valid engineering solution.

Cheers, Callum.

Call in, Listen, Shout on the Chat if you need a contact from anyone. 40m and 20m…

HOA and UK Planning laws: You don’t need towers, stealth tricks, or neighbour disputes to enjoy HF. In this video I walk through simple, proven antenna ideas that work extremely well from a small back garden or backyard, whether you’re in the UK or the USA. We’ll look at why verticals shine on the higher bands, why low dipoles and loops are brilliant on 40 m and 80 m, and how combining transmit and receive antennas can transform your station.

This isn’t clickbait. It isn’t stealth. It’s about scale, shape, take-off angle, and being considerate.

With a bit of wire, a balun, and some common sense, you can work the world without upsetting anyone – and have a lot of fun doing it.

IDEAS:

Enjoy your radio, Callum.

A quick look at the updated DX Commander dipole / doublet centre. Slightly thicker HDPE, same proven layout – designed to stop feedpoint fatigue whether you’re running coax, ladder line, dipoles, doublets, or fans. Small change, long-term reliability. Enjoy your radio. Callum.

Buy https://dxcommander.com/product/450-ohm-doublet-centre/

https://youtu.be/s4WzIgCvAbQ

Modern SDR radios are extraordinary pieces of engineering – and in the right environment, they absolutely shine.

But this video isn’t about specs, rankings, or what’s “best on paper”. It’s about how we listen.

After a recent video on upgrading "radio versus antenna", some fascinating comments prompted me to step back and reflect on something deeper: why, despite all the advances in SDR technology, I still prefer an older high-end analogue-based radio in a quiet location.

In this video I talk about:

– Quiet QTHs versus high-noise environments
– Why SDR radios can’t invent signal that didn’t arrive at the antenna
– Where DSP helps – and where it can get in the way
– Assembling callsigns from fragments in real pile-ups
– Stable noise, operator focus, and long-term listening fatigue
– Why trained ears sometimes outperform algorithms

This is not anti-SDR. It’s about understanding the trade-offs, the role of the operator, and why different radios suit different people and locations.

The best radio isn’t the one at the top of a list. It’s the one that lets you hear best.

Merry Christmas – and enjoy your radio.