ARRL The Doctor is In

By Steve Ford and Joel Hallas

What's ARRL The Doctor is In about?

ARRL The Doctor is In is a podcast based on the popular QST magazine column "The Doctor is In." Hosted by QST Editor in Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and columnist Joel Hallas, W1ZR, the podcast is a lively 20-minute discussion of a wide range of technical topics. Sponsored by DX Engineering.

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ARRL The Doctor is In episodes:

01.30.2020
The Best of the Doctor Is In: Coping with the Solar Minimum
Originally distributed in September 2016
01.16.2020
The Best of the Doctor Is In: Are Linear Amplifiers Really Worthwhile?
The episode was originally distributed in June 2016.
01.02.2020
The Best of The Doctor is In: Does CW Get Through When Nothing Else Can?
Originally distributed in April 2016
12.19.2019
Holiday Mailbag
The Doctor answers a number of interesting questions from listeners.
12.05.2019
VHF/UHF Propagation
Repeaters aren't the only ways to span long distances in the world above 50 MHz.
11.21.2019
Big Wire Antennas
Rhombics, Lazy Hs, Curtains, oh my! The Doctor talks BIG wire antennas for the HF bands.
11.07.2019
Antenna Switches
There is more to an antenna switch than meets the eye. The Doctor explains.
10.24.2019
Beverage Antennas
The Doctor discusses a legendary receiving antenna -- not adult drinks!
10.10.2019
Antenna EnTRAPment!
Awful puns notwithstanding, antenna traps are clever devices, but not many amateurs understand how they work. The Doctor explains . . .
09.26.2019
Keeping Water Out of Coaxial Cables
Water is one of the great enemies of coaxial cable, causing severe loss and other issues. The Doctor explains how to keep H2O at bay.
09.12.2019
Coaxial Cable Connectors
The Doctor discusses the wide variety of coaxial cable connectors, including some you may not recognize.
08.29.2019
Different Types of Grounds
What sort of ground do you need -- RF or electrical safety? It makes a big difference, as the Doctor explains.
08.15.2019
The Legendary G5RV Antenna
The Doctor separates myth from fact about this very popular antenna for the HF bands.
08.01.2019
Noise Blankers and Noise Reduction
Different tools for different applications. The Doctor explains the differences.
07.18.2019
Antenna Polarization
Your antenna's polarization can make a big difference in how well you can hear, and be heard -- especially on VHF and up.
07.04.2019
Selecting Coaxial Cable
There are many types of cable for many applications. Which type do you need?
06.20.2019
ARRL's The Doctor is In - Listener Mailbag
The Doctor answers questions from listeners!
06.06.2019
ARRL's The Doctor Is In - Stringing Up Antennas
Trees make handy supports for wire antennas, but getting an antenna into a tree -- and keeping it there -- can be a challenge.
05.23.2019
Do Dipoles Have to be Straight?
The answer to the question is an emphatic "no," and the Doctor explains why.
05.09.2019
It's About Time!
A discussion of UTC as well as the importance of accurate time for a number of digital modes.
04.25.2019
Handheld Transceivers
These little radios are packed with features, but which one is best for you?
04.11.2019
Listening Outside the Ham Bands
Whether you own an HF transceiver, or a VHF/UHF handheld radio, there is much to hear beyond Amateur Radio frequencies.
03.28.2019
The WSPR Heard 'Round the World
Are you curious about the mysteries of signal propagation, or maybe wondering how well your antenna is working? The answer may be just a "WSPR" away.
03.14.2019
SWR Simplified
A discussion of SWR -- Standing Wave Ratio -- can be complicated, but it really doesn't need to be.
02.28.2019
Meet the Raspberry Pi
Become acquainted with the versatile Raspberry Pi microcomputer, and learn about our new podcast for beginning amateurs.
02.14.2019
Are We Entering a Maunder Minimum?
We are at the bottom of the current solar cycle, but what are the long-term prospects for improvement?
01.31.2019
FT8
Steve Ford, WB8IMY, provides an introduction to FT8, one of the most popular Amateur Radio digital modes ever created.
01.17.2019
Life above 50 MHz
Steve Ford, WB8IMY, speaks with ARRL Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, about the fascinating world of VHF/UHF.
01.03.2019
Log Periodic Antennas
These directional antennas may look like Yagis, but they are quite different. The Doctor explains!
12.20.2018
Ground Plane Antennas
These antennas are everywhere, but how do they really work?
12.06.2018
RF Safety
RF exposure is a concern for every amateur, but did you know that FCC Rules require you to make an RF safety assessment of your station? The Doctor explains . . .
11.22.2018
Station Computers
Computers have become integral parts of most Amateur Radio stations, but the type of computer you choose depends upon the application.
11.08.2018
External Speakers
Would you benefit by adding an external speaker to your radio? The answers may surprise you.
10.25.2018
Do You Really Need a Tower?
The vast majority of amateurs do not own antenna towers, but that doesn't mean you should strike one from your list of future station improvements.
10.11.2018
Winterizing
We're approaching winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Even if you live in an area that never sees snow or ice, there are still some preparations to consider.
09.27.2018
Volt Ohm Meters
These meters have been around for decades and remain one of most useful pieces of test equipment you can own.
09.13.2018
Tools for Every Ham
The Doctor discusses basic tools that every amateur should have in his or her station.
08.30.2018
Antennas and Wind
Whether you have a simple wire antenna or a large HF Yagi on a tower, the effects of wind are major considerations. The Doctor offers tips to improve the odds of your antenna's survival.
08.16.2018
Dummy Loads
They may be ultra-simple devices, but dummy loads can be valuable tools for testing and more.
08.02.2018
Antenna Rotators
If you need to spin your antenna, chances are you'll need a rotator. The Doctor offers valuable advice about these mechanical marvels.
07.19.2018
ARRL's The Doctor is In - Zero Beating
The Doctor explains "zero beating." It isn't just about CW.
07.05.2018
ARRL's The Doctor is In
The Doctor dips into the mail bag . . .
06.21.2018
ARRL's The Doctor is In
Summertime is vacation time, and the Doctor offers advice on bringing Amateur Radio along for the ride.
06.07.2018
Field Day Antennas
The Doctor offers advice about antenna options for the upcoming ARRL Field Day.
05.24.2018
Coping with Poor HF Conditions
While some amateurs may complain about lousy HF propagation conditions, the Doctor explains that the truth is a bit more nuanced.
05.10.2018
RF Loss
Between the radio and the antenna, there are a number of "opportunities" to lose your precious RF energy. The Doctor explains!
04.26.2018
Kits and Kit Building
Amateur Radio kits are not only still popular, they are highly rewarding. The Doctor offers his tips for kit buying and building.
04.12.2018
Microphones
Amateurs tend to take microphones for granted, but the right microphone can make a huge difference in how you sound on the air, and how well you are understood.
03.29.2018
Filters
Receiving every signal is not always a good thing -- especially when you receive them all at once! The Doctor describes why proper filtering is important.
03.15.2018
Mailbag
The Doctor answers listener questions. Send yours to [email protected].

What's ARRL The Doctor is In about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

ARRL The Doctor is In episodes:

The Best of the Doctor Is In: Coping with the Solar Minimum

The Best of the Doctor Is In: Are Linear Amplifiers Really Worthwhile?

The Best of The Doctor is In: Does CW Get Through When Nothing Else Can?

Holiday Mailbag

VHF/UHF Propagation

Big Wire Antennas

Antenna Switches

Beverage Antennas

Antenna EnTRAPment!

Keeping Water Out of Coaxial Cables

Coaxial Cable Connectors

Different Types of Grounds

The Legendary G5RV Antenna

Noise Blankers and Noise Reduction

Antenna Polarization

Selecting Coaxial Cable

ARRL's The Doctor is In - Listener Mailbag

ARRL's The Doctor Is In - Stringing Up Antennas

Do Dipoles Have to be Straight?

It's About Time!

Handheld Transceivers

Listening Outside the Ham Bands

The WSPR Heard 'Round the World

SWR Simplified

Meet the Raspberry Pi

Are We Entering a Maunder Minimum?

FT8

Life above 50 MHz

Log Periodic Antennas

Ground Plane Antennas

RF Safety

Station Computers

External Speakers

Do You Really Need a Tower?

Winterizing

Volt Ohm Meters

Tools for Every Ham

Antennas and Wind

Dummy Loads

Antenna Rotators

ARRL's The Doctor is In - Zero Beating

ARRL's The Doctor is In

ARRL's The Doctor is In

Field Day Antennas

Coping with Poor HF Conditions

RF Loss

Kits and Kit Building

Microphones

Filters

Mailbag