Construction Techniques
Additional information on this subject and related topics can be found in back issues of QST and the following:
The ARRL has an extensive catalog of books and materials related to Amateur Radio.
Articles
Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.
- The Art of Soldering (21,732 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 2001, p.72
Some "tips" for good soldering.
- Collecting a Ham's Tools of the Trade (2,011,189 bytes, PDF file)
QST April 1978, pp. 17-19
Use your knowledge, test gear and calculator as ham "tools." But don't forget that a good set of hand tools is also necessary.
- Screws -- Nuts -- and Things (369,794 bytes, PDF file)
QST June 1961, pp. 30-34
How to use them in ham equipment
- How to Solder (590,936 bytes, PDF file)
QST August 1973, pp. 16-18
- The Joy of Building (2,461,096 bytes, PDF file.
QST September 1993, pp. 64-66
Put some extra pizzazz into Amateur Radio by building your own equipment!
- Building Your Own Station Accessories (2,129,365 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1994, pp. 61-64
Sure, you can buy your own accessories, but why not build them instead? There are plenty of easy kits available.
- Try Building Your Own Equipment (384,548 bytes, PDF file)
QST March 1995, pp. 39-42
You can turn those QST articles into nice-looking pieces of equipment -- and you can learn by building them.
- Homebrew Your Own Inductors! (214,213 bytes, PDF file)
QST August 1997, pp. 33-35
Can't find the inductor you need for an antenna, a tuner or amplifier? Build your own -- it's easy!
Feedback: QST October 1997, p. 83. In the second column of the sidebar, the multiplication sign under the radical is in error; that should be a plus sign (for addition).
- ARRL Single-Layer Coil Winding (L/C/F) Calculator
- How To Locate Manuals and Documentation
How many times have you passed up a good deal because you were certain you'd never find the service information?
- Wrinkle Finish Paint
- Printed Circuit Board Circus (272,689 bytes, PDF file)
QST October 1993, pp.79-80
- Circuit Boards From Scratch (2,141,373 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1981, pp. 29-31
Want to Add the "professional Touch" to your next construction project? This article takes the neophyte step-by-step through the "positive" process for pc board fabrication.
- Ironing Out Your Own Printed-Circuit Boards (2,117,260 bytes, PDF file)
QST July 1993, pp. 42-44
Here's how you can make professional-looking PC boards with little trouble and minimal cost.
- Designing and Bending Metal Enclosures (804,275 bytes, PDF file)
QST October 1980, pp.32-33
Do you get all bent out of shape when bending metal? Do lids that don't fit give you fits? This article will help you gain an understanding of metal bending -- without fatigue!
- A Homebrew. Light-Duty Metal Brake (198,635 bytes, PDF file)
QST October 1996, pp. 41-43
Tired of bending sheet metal over your knee? Try this!
- Rewinding Transformers (2,659,851 bytes, PDF file)
QST October 1980, pp. 34-37
Turned off by the high cost of power supplies? Wouldn't you like to turn a junked transformer into a custom-wound unit in less than two hours? It is easy; here's how.
- Converting Power-Line Transformers for Transmitter Service (2,481,999 bytes, PDF file)
QST November 1980, pp. 38-42
A Surplus or junked power-line transformer can be converted easily inot a superb plate transformer for a homemade kiloatt linear amplifier. Here's how!
- Build it Yourself from QST
Part 1 (2,481,745 bytes, PDF file) -- QST April 1992, pp. 31-36
Part 2 (2,579,205 bytes, PDF file) -- QST May 1992, pp. 35-39
Part 3 (2,717,597 bytes, PDF file) -- QST June 1992, pp. 42-45
Feedback, QST June 1993, p. 73
Part 4 (1,902,619 bytes, PDF file) -- QST July 1992, pp. 31-34
Thinking about starting to build some of your own gear? Here's how to turn a QST project into reality.
- Substituting Parts (892,839 bytes, PDF file)
QST August 1992, Lab Notes, pp. 66-67
- Attaching Connectors to Coaxial Cable (572,068 bytes, PDF file)
The ARRL Handbook, 1999, pp. 22.7-22.9
- Some Tools and Tricks of the Hobby (3,007,777 bytes, PDF file)
QST April 2000, pp. 78-79
Technical Correspondence
- How To Read Circuit Diagrams - Part 1 (2,029,201 bytes, PDF file)
QST August 1963, pp. 39-43
- How To Read Circuit Diagrams - Part 2 (2,000,791 bytes, PDF file)
QST September 1963, pp. 37-41
- Schematics at Your Fingertips
QST October 1993, pp. 39-40
Create good looking schematics with Microsoft Windows Paint.
Also see Schematic Drawing Software, Hints & Kinks, QST December 2000 (15,849 bytes, PDF file)
(Schemat.zip) mentioned in the above H&K)
- Connectors for (Almost) All Occasions--Part 1 (1,889,252 bytes, PDF file)
QST April 1991, pp. 35-38
How to properly install popular ham shack connectors
- Connectors for (Almost) All Occasions--Part 2 (3,414,567 bytes, PDF file)
QST May 1991, pp. 34-40
Note:
Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.
Bibliography (Members Only)
ARRL Periodicals Index Search - This database contains the QST index from 1915 to the present and the QEX index from 1981 to the present. For QST issues from 1970 to the present, and some selected articles back to 1922 (when construction articles featuring tubes began in earnest), identifying keywords have been added to the technical articles. By entering keywords (ANTENNA) or combinations of keywords (CONSTRUCTION ANTENNA VERTICAL HF) into the Title words: field, you may create dynamic bibliographies.
Technical article KEYWORD list. Hints for more successful searching
Suggested keywords for more articles like the ones on this page are: CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
Web Links
Schematic drawing and PC-board generation software
- CadSoft Online
EAGLE Layout Editor, for an easy to use, powerful and affordable schematic capture and printed circuit board design package. FREEWARE version.
- TurboCAD
IMSI provides a free download of this package that can be used for drawing schematics.
- Dover Research Corporation
Circad circuit design and schematic drawing program
- Holophase
Circad circuit design and schematic drawing program
- LIN
Free courtesy of KQ6QV
- Merlin PCB Designer
A free shareware package to route printed circuit boards using CorelDRAW Ver. 7 or higher.
Article Reprints:
You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department (reprints@arrl.org ), 1-860-594-0390) if you wish to get photocopies.
This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.
If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or distribution of this material, please contact:
TIS Coordinator
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 860-594-0214 Fax: 860-594-0259
(email: tis@arrl.org)
Page last modified: 02:37 PM, 25 Sep 2007 ET
Page author: tis@arrl.org
Copyright © 2007, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
