Practical Wireless

Practical Wireless is aimed at the licensed radio amateur and caters for the amateur radio hobby. Practical Wireless is a ‘doing’ magazine focusing on the practical and constructional side of amateur radio and appeals to all ages. Written by expert authors and contributors, Practical Wireless reflects developments in the technology, participants, activities and licensing framework of the hobby.

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!

Practical Wireless

Keylines

Newsdesk • Have you got something to tell our readers about? If so, then email practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

New from ML&S

Royal Signals Museum unveils major new exhibition

The Secret Life of Ruby Payne-Scott • Georg Wiessala reappraises pioneering Australian radio astronomer Ruby Violet Payne-Scott (1912-1981), whose achievements reflected both the technical progress and the socio-political prejudice of her time.

Tuning with Feeling • Samuel EI9FZB tackles the challenge of decent tuning knobs with a smooth feel.

The Eddystone 910 • Bernard Nock G4BXD waxes lyrical about an Eddystone treasure.

A Month of Expeditions • This month, as Steve G4JVG reports, has seen a lot of DXpedition activity from several continents.

Broadcasting history • Keith and Garry invite you for another leisurely jog through their archives.

Servicing BayGen/Freeplay spring-driven radios (Pt I) • Phil Harris G4SPZ starts a two-part feature on how to service the once-popular Freeplay wind-up radios.

A Cheap WSPR Beacon • Mike G4WNC describes how to build a low-cost WSPR beacon that you can maybe send to a friend abroad.

Tatonka Lastenkraxe Carrier Used as a Backpack Shack • Jonathan Hare G1EXG describes how to use a back pack to go portable.

William Shockley & the Transistor • Tony Jones G7ETW looks at the early history of the transistor.

Circular Loop on Ground • Keith G4MIU discusses a circular alternative to the basic Loop on Ground before reporting on the latest AN-SOF offering and explaining how to use your VNA to measure crystals.

FT2: Just what we needed? • Tim GW4VXE starts this month with a discussion on the pros and cons of the new FT2 mode in respect of VHF working.

Improved car portable cable access • Steve Clements G1YBB tackles the challenge of a weatherproof solution for car-portable operation.

The CW Sprint Lite Morse Trainer • Daimon Tilley G4USI checks out a newly-launched Morse trainer.

50 years ago in PW • We feature an article that appeared exactly 50 years ago, an RF amplifier built around the then ubiquitous 40673 dual-gate MOSFET.

Impedance (Part II) • Jeff continues his discussion of impedance.

Signal measurements using a TinySA • Ross G6GVI discusses Zeroing in to the time domain

A Simple Portable Power Pack • Bernard Nock G4BXD explains how to repurpose a handy DiY power supply for your radio needs.

NEWS EXTRA

Your Letters

Rallies & Events • All information published here reflects the situation up to and including 9th March 2026. Readers are advised to always check with the organisers of any rally or event before setting out for a visit. To get your event on this list, email the full details, as early as possible, to: practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk

Next Month in the UK’s best & only independent amateur radio magazine…

Available to Order • All issues of Practical Wireless from 1965 to 2025 are conveniently available on handy CD-ROMS.