Club knowledge, organized so the next person can find it.
The WVARC Knowledge Center is our technical library and club wiki. New material is published as searchable Knowledge Center posts with a controlled set of useful tags, while source documents and archival material remain preserved in the WVARC Document Library.
Start with the featured material below, explore one of the established reference areas, or jump straight into the dedicated search when you already know what you need.
Featured in the Knowledge Center
A curated starting point for material we want members to notice. Featured posts are intentionally given more visual weight than the normal post feed.
Featured Knowledge
Radio Frequency Interference
The links below contain useful information for identifying and locating sources of RF interference.
Read ArticleFeatured Knowledge
The Magic of Magnetic Loop Antennas
Bill Powell, W9WRP, explains the operating principle, tuning, selectivity, directionality, and practical advantages of magnetic loop antennas for amateur radio and space-constrained installations.
Read ArticleFeatured Knowledge
Portable Backup Solar Generation Systems for Hams
Rusty, KJ6AMR, explains how to size and build portable solar backup power for amateur radio, including LiFePO4 batteries, PV panels, charge controllers, wiring, connectors, inverters, and radio duty-cycle…
Read ArticleTechnical Reference Areas
These established reference pages remain part of the Knowledge Center while their material is progressively brought into the post-based system.
AllStar Info
Club AllStar information, setup references, operating material, and supporting documents.
WVARC Digital
Digital amateur radio resources, club information, and reference material for digital modes and systems.
ARA Repeaters
Reference information for Arizona Repeater Association systems and repeater resources used by area operators.
EmComm / EmPrep
Emergency communications and preparedness references, training material, field resources, and archived technical documents.
Video Presentations
Technical presentations, demonstrations, training sessions, and recorded club educational material.
Search the Knowledge Center
Search every Knowledge Center post and narrow the results using the shared subject-tag vocabulary.
Recent Knowledge Center Posts
The newest additions to the Knowledge Center appear here automatically as they are published.
Typical Noise Floor on HF Radio Bands
Chart comparing expected HF noise levels by location type across the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter amateur bands.
Read ArticleQ-Codes
Q-signals are a system of radio shorthand as old as wireless and developed from even older telegraphy codes. Below is a link to a great list of these…
Read ArticleRadio Frequency Interference
The links below contain useful information for identifying and locating sources of RF interference.
Read ArticleSuggested SCG Antennas — HF & VHF/UHF
SCG Ham Radio SIG presentation from April 26, 2019, reviewing HF and VHF/UHF antenna options for installations subject to community height and appearance restrictions.
Read ArticleThe Magic of Magnetic Loop Antennas
Bill Powell, W9WRP, explains the operating principle, tuning, selectivity, directionality, and practical advantages of magnetic loop antennas for amateur radio and space-constrained installations.
Read ArticlePortable Backup Solar Generation Systems for Hams
Rusty, KJ6AMR, explains how to size and build portable solar backup power for amateur radio, including LiFePO4 batteries, PV panels, charge controllers, wiring, connectors, inverters, and radio duty-cycle…
Read Article