A popular part of amateur radio is building and equipment and projects.  Many hams find they need test equipment to fully enjoy the experience—here are some projects to get you started.

Additional information on this subject and related topics can be found in back issues of QST and the following:

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs
Build Your Own Test Equipment

Articles

Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 7.0 or later required). More information here.

• A Low Cost DDS Function Generator (341,417 bytes, PDF file)
  QST November, 2005 -- Build this useful signal source around a dedicated DDS ICand gain a valuable addition to your test bench.
• The Tandem Match -- An Accurate Directional Wattmeter (969,445 bytes, PDF file)
  The ARRL Handbook, 1999, pp. 22.36 -- 22.42
• A Spectrum Analyzer for the Radio Amateur -- Part 1 (182,720 bytes, PDF file)
  QST August 1998, pp. 35-43
  Simple and easy to build, this radio-frequency spectrum analyzer is capable of useful measurements in the 50kHz to 70 MHz region.
• A Spectrum Analyzer for the Radio Amateur -- Part 2 (245,857 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 1998, pp. 37-40
  Feedback -- QST November 1999, p. 74
• A GPS-Based Frequency Standard (814,582 bytes, PDF file)
  QST July 1998, pp. 37-44
  Build this modern and highly accurate frequency standard that uses the GPS timing pulse instead of WWV.
  Feedback: QST October 1998, p. 81. Figure 3, reverse the identities of R5 and R6.
• Build a Return Loss Bridge (164,585 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 1997, pp. 34-36
  Used with your DVM, this simple bridge, diode detector and return loss techniques can help you measure cable loss and SWR at the antenna
• A Pocket-Size, Direct-Reading VHF SWR Meter (207,352 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 1997, pp. 33-36
  This easy-to-build LED bargraph SWR meter goes with you anywhere.
• A Relative-Indication Audible Meter Reader (141,381 bytes, PDF file)
  QST March 1997, pp. 36-39
  This simple circuit allows blind - and sighted - hams to identify meter readings audibly.
• A Simple and Accurate QRP Directional Wattmeter (6,028,700 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 1990, pp. 19-23, 36
  A directional wattmeter that's simple, portable, and accurate from 10 watts down to 5 milliwatts!
• The (Not Quite) Ultimate Dummy Load (1,863,354 bytes, PDF file)
  QST January 1981, pp. 35-37
  This dummy load made from carbon resistors will dissipate 132 watts.
• Simple RF-Power Measurement (264,217 bytes, PDF file)
  QST June 2001, pp. 38-43
  Measure power from nanowatts to 100 watts
  Feedback: QST August 2001, p. 76 (36,344 bytes, PDF file)
• Swept Receiver Dynamic Range Testing in the ARRL Laboratory (139,306 bytes, PDF file)
  QEX June 1996, pp. 3-12
• Improved Dynamic-Range Testing (899,952 bytes, PDF file)
  QEX Jul/Aug 2002, pp. 46-52
• The "No Fibbin'" RF Field Strength Meter (266,618 bytes, PDF file)
  QST August 2002, pp. 28-29
  A simple effective and easy field strength meter.
  Feedback: QST September 2002 p.88 (schematic error, included in main article)
• An Inside Picture of Directional Wattmetters (366,026 bytes, PDF file)
  QST April 1959, pp. 24-28
  A tutorial, What They Do—How They Do It
• An RF Step Attenuator (322,721 bytes, PDF file)
  QST Jun 1995
  When you can find a good, commercially made RF attenuator, expect to pay the price. Here’s where doing it yourself can provide you with what you need.inexpensively.

Note:

Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.

Web Links

• New/Used Test Equipment Buyer's Guide
  A buyer's guide for new and used test equipment that provides much useful information, including electrical specs, lists of suppliers, and typical list, street, and used prices.
• Tech Systems Labs' Free Software Collection
  Giant collection of free software for circuit design, schematic drawing, sound-card based test equipment and more.
• "QuickieLab"
  BASIC computing platform for ham radio experiments
• Real Good Software from James L. Tonne WB6BLD
  A technically-oriented site for the radio amateur, engineer or technician
• STANDARDISATION OF S-METER READINGS
  IARU Region 1 Technical Recommendation

Article Reprints:

You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department  at reprints@arrl.org , or 1-860-594-0390, between Noon and 5PM, Tuesday through Friday,  if you wish to get photocopies.

This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.

If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or distribution of this material, please contact:

TIS Coordinator
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 860-594-0214 Fax: 860-594-0259
(email: tis@arrl.org)