https://www.sotabeams.co.uk Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:08:01 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-review-of-the-abbree-2m-ht-monster-antenna/ Sun, 29 Mar 2020 16:14:55 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-review-of-the-abbree-2m-ht-monster-antenna/ My review of the Abbree 2m "monster" antenna. How does it work in the field? I investigate. 

]]> My review of the Abbree 2m "monster" antenna. How does it work in the field? I investigate. 

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-review-of-the-baofeng-bft1-70cm-ht/ Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:13:41 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-review-of-the-baofeng-bft1-70cm-ht/ How good is this little 70cm FM radio? I investigate.

]]> How good is this little 70cm FM radio? I investigate.

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/testing-an-hf-doublet-antenna-in-the-field/ Thu, 05 Mar 2020 10:14:53 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/testing-an-hf-doublet-antenna-in-the-field/ In this forthcoming video I look at how to do some simple tests on a portable doublet that I described in an earlier video. Will it work?

]]> In this forthcoming video I look at how to do some simple tests on a portable doublet that I described in an earlier video. Will it work?

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-review-of-the-x1c5-aprs-tracker/ Tue, 03 Mar 2020 10:25:24 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-review-of-the-x1c5-aprs-tracker/ The X1C5 tracker is an interesting gadget. I look at some of its capabilities in this short review. 

]]> The X1C5 tracker is an interesting gadget. I look at some of its capabilities in this short review. 

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/how-to-pick-a-great-site-for-vhf-ham-radio/ Thu, 27 Feb 2020 10:59:04 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/how-to-pick-a-great-site-for-vhf-ham-radio/ Operating on VHF from a great site is incredibly good fun. In this video I look at what makes a great site. 

]]> Operating on VHF from a great site is incredibly good fun. In this video I look at what makes a great site. 

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/tuning-mag-loops-by-ear-is-it-possible/ Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:18:32 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/tuning-mag-loops-by-ear-is-it-possible/ I investigate how easy it is to tune a magnetic loop by ear to get a low SWR for transmitting. I was not expecting what I found!

]]> I investigate how easy it is to tune a magnetic loop by ear to get a low SWR for transmitting. I was not expecting what I found!

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-ham-radio-bonanza/ Mon, 10 Feb 2020 18:16:48 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/a-ham-radio-bonanza/ FT8 vs 2m FM. Our weekend challenge is shot on location in a gale in North Wales. Subscribe so you don't miss it! 

]]> FT8 vs 2m FM. Our weekend challenge is shot on location in a gale in North Wales. Subscribe so you don't miss it! 

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/how-to-stay-comfortable-in-the-field/ Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:55:13 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/how-to-stay-comfortable-in-the-field/ Keeping safe and comfortable is a great way to get more enjoyment out of your portable operating. I look at some options in this video.

]]> Keeping safe and comfortable is a great way to get more enjoyment out of your portable operating. I look at some options in this video.

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/user-review-of-the-sw3b-cw-transceiver/ Thu, 23 Jan 2020 12:25:32 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/user-review-of-the-sw3b-cw-transceiver/ How does this little radio perform? I investigate.

]]> How does this little radio perform? I investigate.

]]> https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/how-accurate-is-the-rbn/ Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:29:08 +0000 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/how-accurate-is-the-rbn/ The Reverse Beacon Network is often used to compare antenna by radio amateurs. How accurate is this method? I investigate. 

]]> The Reverse Beacon Network is often used to compare antenna by radio amateurs. How accurate is this method? I investigate. 

]]>