About Me

Hello, and welcome to my page! My name is Rafael, and I am a licensed amateur radio operator (PY1OWL, previously PU1OWL), and a lifelong explorer of electronics and digital technology. I also hold a Doctor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering. Although I obtained my ham radio license in 2020, computers, radios, and electronic experimentation have been a constant part of my life.

My first contact with electronics dates back to 1983, when I discovered a beginner-level magazine at a newsstand. From simple one-transistor amplifiers to small FM transmitters reminiscent of spy gadgets, those early projects and building kits eventually led me to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering, which I completed in 1995 with a strong emphasis on signal processing. Around that time, I also learned about amateur radio, but since equipment was prohibitively expensive in Brazil, I never considered pursuing a license. Only years later, after completing my doctorate, did I decide to finally enter the hobby and become a ham operator.

In 1999, I earned my Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering, where I combined signal processing and neural networks for speaker identification. In 2017, I completed my doctorate, proposing an algorithm for digital communications based on compressed sensing and adaptive filtering. Working on digital communications rekindled my interest in amateur radio, and since becoming licensed I have been actively experimenting with antennas and digital communication modes.

Beyond my academic background, my current interests in amateur radio revolve around bringing together theory and practice. I enjoy experimenting with microcontrollers and exploring how they can be applied to the hobby, from simple control systems to more advanced signal processing tasks. One of my ongoing projects is the implementation of a single-sideband (SSB) transceiver using digital signal processing techniques. I am also interested in the design and construction of RF power amplifiers, as well as the study and experimentation of different types of antennas.

On this website, I share notes, articles, and updates related to these interests. You will find posts about amateur radio, microcontrollers, antennas, and digital communication experiments, as well as a growing gallery of QSL cards that reflect the connections I have made on the air.