New- Hints And Kinks For The Radio Amateur Page

Not always, but in a pinch, stranded 18-gauge wire soaked in flux outperforms no wick at all. Keep a 6" piece pre-fluxed in a tiny ziplock bag in your go-kit. 3. The "Eyeglass" SMA Wrench (Free & Perfect) The problem: SMA connectors need to be finger tight plus 1/8 turn . Overtighten, and you’ll snap the center pin or ruin the female receptacle (especially on cheap HTs or SDR dongles).

WD-40 leaves a residue that attracts dust. This alcohol+oil method flushes oxidation then leaves a clean, thin lubricant film. 7. The "No-Drill" Ground Bus for a Metal Desk The problem: Your station ground needs a common bus bar, but you don’t want to drill into your nice metal desk or filing cabinet.

Tried-and-true tricks, fresh twists, and shop-tested solutions for the modern shack New- Hints and Kinks for the Radio Amateur

Use a metal eyeglass repair screwdriver (the flat kind that comes in those little keychain kits). The tip is exactly the right width to fit into the two holes of a standard knurled SMA plug. Insert the tip into one hole and use it as a lever for that final gentle snug.

By WB2FAS (In the spirit of the original QST column) Not always, but in a pinch, stranded 18-gauge

Zero adhesive residue. Removes cleanly. UV and weatherproof for years. Temperature range: -60°F to +500°F. One roll seals dozens of connectors. Use it over electrical tape, not under. 5. The Ruler-on-the-Mast Trick (Antenna Matching) The problem: You’re tuning a 1/4-wave ground plane or a J-pole. You slide the radiator up and down, mark it with a Sharpie, lower the mast, adjust, raise again… repeat.

Use a second mat as a soldering iron rest when traveling. The iron tip won’t burn it, and it won’t slide off the table. A Final Word The best kink is the one you discover yourself. Keep a small notebook in your shack (or a digital note) and write down every “that worked well” or “that was stupid, don’t do it again.” The "Eyeglass" SMA Wrench (Free & Perfect) The

Before snapping the bead onto the cable, wrap the coax with one layer of friction tape (cloth electrical tape) or two wraps of vinyl electrical tape where the bead will sit. Then push the bead over the taped section.