New QST column aims to take the mystery out of modern ham gear

A new QST column, "Getting to Know Your Radio" debuts in the April edition of QST.

Author and ARRL Product Review Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, says the column "basically talks about what all those knobs do" on modern equipment.

"The idea is to acquaint users with the typical features of modern radios." Hallas says there was a time when radio receivers were pretty easy to understand--in some cases not all that much different from the broadcast set in the kitchen or living room--so most new amateurs could quickly learn
their way around the front panel. It's a new world now.

"It's fair to say that modern transceivers have come a long way since the boat anchors of the 1950s and earlier," he says. "Many transceiver makers seem to sell their wares by claiming the most and newest features." As a result, modern ham transceivers can be pretty intimidating, making operation daunting for newcomers and veterans alike.

The first installment of "Getting to Know Your Radio" will cover the now-popular--and common--passband tuning feature. Hallas says a column on audio compression systems is in the works.

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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