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Current Feature Articles   Feb 08 Youth@HamRadio.Fun: Ham Radio 2.0   Feb 05 Surfin': Viewing the New Star of Ham Radio   Feb 02 300 Feet of Cooperation   Feb 01 ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?   Feb 01 It Seems to Us: Where Are the Spots?   Jan 29 Surfin': Radio-Spotting Through the Windshield   Jan 27 Amateur Radio Quiz: Blasts from the Past   Jan 26 Hamming on High   Jan 22 Surfin': My World Is a Radio   Jan 15 Surfin': Addicted to the Internet ARRL Products: VHF/UHF/Microwave (More) The ARRL UHF/Microwave Projects CD -- Practical projects, design and construction ideas for UHF and Microwave Experimenters ARRL's VHF/UHF Antenna Classics -- Practical designs and construction details from the pages of QST. International Microwave Handbook -- Reference information and designs for the microwave experimenter. Published by RSGB and ARRL. Microwave Projects -- Complete designs and ideas for the microwave experimenter: signal sources, transverters, power amplifiers, test equipment and more. Microwave Projects 2 -- More innovative projects: transverters and transmitters, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, filters, and more.

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Are dissimilar connectors making power interconnections difficult? Then, surf the Web to an elegant solution for connector compatibility.

Kim, KB1GTR, and Steve, KB1DIG, Merrill took advantage of the lull before the holidays to do some experimenting and Amateur Radio-related Web publishing. Their experiments involved Powerpoles, a unique connector for power interconnections. Their Web publishing reflects the findings of their experiments. It was "almost like taking project notes," Steve wrote, "We hope this information on Powerpoles is useful and everyone enjoys it. This is just our way of giving back to the hobby."

The Anderson Powerpole Ideas Web site provides hands-on information about a different kind of power connector.

You will find the findings of Kim's and Steve's Powerpole experiments at their Anderson Powerpole Ideas Web site, which describes the connectors in detail and provides tips on assembling and using the connectors.

For higher power rigs, high-amperage dc power supplies and bus wiring, the Anderson Powerpole is the emerging national ARES/RACES standard. The links on this page include Web sites of some of the ARES groups using these connectors. Be sure to visit those sites for additional useful information regarding Powerpoles.

Also check out these links at the bottom of the Powerpole Ideas page for additional Amateur Radio emergency communications ideas: The Box:Portable Emergency Communications Station Ideas and Go Kit: Daily Emergency Communications Gear Ideas. In fact, poke all around this Web site and you will find lots of amazing and interesting ham radio stuff, some of which we featured back in the February 21 installment of this column.

Until next time, keep on Surfin'

Editor's note: Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, is not a Powerpole, but he is a Pole, an American Pole, to be exact. All of his grandparents were born in Poland, so you can contact Stash or Stan by sending e-mail to wa1lou@arrl.net.

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