Ham Journal front page diagram

About the Journal

Ham Journal aims to deliver evidence-based, peer-reviewed, research, design, construction and operating related articles in the field of amateur radio. These articles are written by licensed amateur radio operators, scientists, engineers or technologists whose intent is to inform the amateur radio community of new horizons in our practice. Articles are peer-reviewed by an Editorial Board drawn from The Elmers' Circle on Ham Community.

Ham Journal is new. It is being launched Q1 2023. Its utlimate value is dependent upon the delivery of well-thought, impartial, accurate content that is of use to the amateur radio community. We hope that you will participate, either as readers, authors, reviewers or editors and look forward to your suggestions on how we can keep improving.

K3MRI on behalf of the Editorial Board

CATEGORIES OF ARTICLES ACCEPTED

CATEGORY 1: THEORIES

For the purposes of Ham Journal, theories are considered novel ideas in pure and applied science which, if proven, would lead to an improvement in amateur radio practice. These theories can range from the purest form of physics to a theory about a proposed means of accelerating data transfer or a better way of creating a ground plane. For it to be considered as a valuable theory, it should be supported (e.g. a math calculation, multiple agreeing experts), by corroborating proof made by someone else, or by presenting a credible case based on prior personal experience.

As per the dictionary: A theory is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained: Darwin's theory of evolution. • a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based: a theory of education | music theory. • an idea used to account for a situation or justify a course of action: my theory would be that the place has been seriously mismanaged. • Mathematics a collection of propositions to illustrate the principles of a subject.

CATEGORY 2: EXPERIMENTS

For the purposes of Ham Journal, the key difference between a theory and an experiment is the act of testing the theory. A theory requires no action beyond thought, research and argument; an experiment requires an act. An experiment could, for instance, take the form of a comparison so long as that comparison is 'real-world' as opposed to just on paper. It could be a simple measurement, a test of endurance or other. Of importance is the need to diligently document said experiment with sufficient detail so as to be reproducible by another. Note that experiments should never be dangerous. Ham Journal discourages, and will not accept, an experiment that could potentially cause harm.

As per the dictionary: An experiment is a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact: I have tested this by experiment | laboratory experiments on guinea pigs. • a course of action tentatively adopted without being sure of the outcome: the farm is an ongoing experiment in sustainable living.

CATEGORY 3: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Ham Journal welcomes the publication of articles describing both the design and construction of innovative amateur radio gear, software applications, or anything else that produces a useable outcome. The key is to explain, in detail, how said output was inspired, designed, constructed and tested.

Defined by Ham Journal as: The act of initially conceiving or designing an object or process and then physically assembling or constructing it and/or then installing it possibly in conjunction with another object or process.

CATEGORY 4: BEST PRACTICES

There is always a better way of doing something, the key is to do it in a way that actually produces results. Ham Journal seeks articles that, if its instructions were followed, would lead to a reliably favorable outcome. The requirement is to write articles that are detailed, clear, reproducible, and relevant in matters of amateur radio.

Defined by Ham Journal: A best practices is a better, safer, maybe less expensive, maybe more expedient way of accomplishing a task and meeting a goal. Though not imperative, said best practices are usually best delivered by someone with bona fide experience and/or qualifications.