How to Read a Technical Article (in QST)
Eric Falkof, ARRL EMA Technical Coordinator
March, 2011
How long does it take you to read your monthly copy of QST? Half an hour? Twenty minutes? Do you jump to the contest results and skip the rest? Maybe spend more time on the ads than editorials? Maybe you looked at some article title and thought, “That sounds interesting, but I could/would never do that!” Here’s a guide to reading those skipped-over articles, especially the technically oriented ones.
They all follow a formula and, once you know the formula, you can get what you want from the article and maybe even learn something you never knew before.
Part One – introduction
All articles begin with an introduction that describes the author’s problem. They begin with something like, “I always could cut through QRM, but I wanted to pull out the weak ones.”
See? The problem dealt with reception, selectivity, sensitivity, DXing or weak signal work. No matter, we see that the author solved his problem somehow. If you can relate to the problem, maybe you can benefit from his (or her) solution.
Part Two – search for the solution
The author tells about researching solutions, which saves you the time of doing the research yourself. If you read this section, you will learn of resources that might help you in the future. Anyhow, the solution shows itself shortly, along with some comments why this was chosen from all others.
Part Three – implementation
Now, we get serious. The author describes how the solution will be created or implemented. Sometimes, this is a description of how the author collected parts or how he/she determined the circuitry needed or software written to do the job. This is a really significant part of the article. In this part, you can learn some good stuff.
For example, if you take a minute or two and point with your finger to the schematic or other diagrams while reading the text, you can learn something about circuit analysis and design or mechanical construction. If, for example, the text refers to R1 and C2, find them and point to them with your finger. Reread the text. Next, if the reference is to Q6 and L2, find them. Reread the previous text to see how and why the signal or electron flow moved from R1/C2 to Q6/L2, and then where it goes. The author always explains. In short order, you will recognize voltage divider circuits and pi-networks, and how they work!
Of course, some articles are more about mechanical construction. Do the same with your finger as you read the text. (Full disclosure: when I run across the word “lathe,” I skip ahead.)
Part Four – installation
This is pretty self-explanatory. This is how the author connected or installed the solution. This part describes how to connect, tune up, trim, or otherwise make the device or circuit work. Small intricacies of electrical or mechanical construction emerge. This is like bug-chasing or trouble-shooting. In industrial terms, this is the final assembly and test phase of product development. In short, these are the problems you are likely to run into prior to success.
Always watch for the parts where the author says friends helped out. This is a clue about why you should join a club!
Part Five – testing
Once you have the device running, you might anticipate some problems or, perhaps, run into some operational glitches. This is the fine-tuning and final trouble-shooting phase. Debugging, if you will. Getting it running just right.
Part Six – operation
You’re almost done with the article now. This part tells how to use the device the way the author intended. Here, he or she will tell you about the fantastic DX that was achieved, the stupendous opinions of club members, or the lab-grade instrument measurements. You will also magically understand how you might modify the solution for your own situation.
Part Seven – author’s bio
Although not a technical component of the solution and maybe not even related to the disciplines involved in the article, read the author’s biography at the end. It is always interesting to find that it was a scientist who worked through the problem, or maybe it was an educator in a totally different subject matter who bridged science and the arts. I find it interesting to see peoples’ histories, and how Ham Radio played a part in their lives. This also provides contact information so you can send a note of appreciation to the author for helping you learn and do.
See? You learned a lot about technical stuff and it wasn’t so hard after all, was it? And now, maybe you will spend an additional half hour reading your copy of QST.