Practical Wireless Magazine

09 October, 2025

The November 2025 issue of Practical Wireless is now available. Here are some of the highlights: Keylines: Don talks about antenna troubles, groups featuring amateur radio, and hobby radio. Review – Yaesu FTX-1: Richard Constantine G3UGF gets to grips with the latest offering from Yaesu. Sudden Frequency Deviation Observations Whitham Reeve, an RF engineer working in Alaska, looks at the phenomenon of sudden frequency deviations caused by solar storms. Twin-Review - The Omni RF OTG Antenna and the RTL SDR Blog V.4 SDR: Two for the price of one - Georg Wiessala checks out a receive loop antenna and an RTL Dongle. The FA-VA6 Vector Antenna Analyser User Review: Keith Rawlings G4MIU puts this new analyser through its paces. The World of VHF: Tim Kirby GW4VXE starts with news of a recent successful high-altitude balloon experiment. Data Modes: Mike Richards G4WNC starts with an interesting phone-based analyser before returning to his look at the QMX+ transceiver. The Selectone: This article, authored by its designer, a Mr Frank Preston FRA, appeared in the 7 and 14 January 1933 issues of Practical Wireless, just a few months after the magazine was launched. It gives an idea of the sort of technology that was available at the time. HF Highlights: Steve Telenius-Lowe G4JVG reports an improvement in solar activity. Antennas: Keith Rawlings G4MIU uses his VNA to test a low pass filter. Vintage Television & Radio: Keith Hamer and Garry Smith continue their in-depth feature detailing the early days of BBC Broadcasting House in London, focusing on the special sound-proof windows. Following the conclusion of special Coronation advertisements from the archives, this month they resume normal service with an offering for Mazda 2V valves. The series highlighting broadcasting events from exactly 100 years ago looks at November 1925. The saga charting the rise and fall of BBC 198kHz transmissions focuses on the BBC Burghead oven and forks! Coverage detailing 60 years of BBC-2 continues the account of early programme schedules. They also continue our series about the development of Swiss Radio and Television since 1922. PW 144MHz QRP Contest Results 2025: Colin Redwood G6MXL has the results of this year’s event. Story of the VU4AX DXpedition (IOTA AS-001): Ronald Stuy PA3EWP describes the spring DXpedition to the remote Andaman Islands. Starting Hobby Radio for Free: David Howard M0BGR goes back to basics with an introduction to Hobby Radio. Hamfest 2025: A pictorial look at this year’s event at the Newark Showground. The Radio Museum, Watchet: The editor visits an unusual but fascinating museum of radio history. Club Sales: Tony Jones G7ETW extols the virtues of club sales. Readers’ Letters: This month’s Letters cover home construction and a miscellany of reflections on the hobby.