Note
Here are some helpful tips for searching the Radio Alpha library.
All of the text in all of the entries is searchable. Searches include the entire text of an entry, not just the title. If you search for "Collins," a variety of non-Collins results that mention Collins somewhere within will also show up.
General Search Techniques
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When performing full-text searches, you can add some structure to the query. Here are some helpful tips for executing more accurate full-text searches:
When searching for the name of a company containing two words (Barker & Williamson or Squires-Sanders, for example) it is generally only necessary to enter one of the two names (Barker, or Sanders, for example).
If you are looking for an SWR meter for example, you could just enter those two words in the search bar. However, your search results will include any entry with just "SWR" (as in "high SWR") AND any entry with the word "meter" (as in "plate current meter").
Instead, you could use quotes around a string of words to find entries that include that exact string. If you are looking for an SWR meter for example, type the phrase enclosed in quotes, like this, “SWR meter” and your results will only include entries that have the exact phrase “SWR meter.” You can be as specific as you wish, for example, “VHF SWR meter" and if that exact phrase is used in an entry, it will appear in the search results.
Use the + symbol between words to find Entries that include all of those words. If you type in Heathkit+SWR, your results will only include the entries that include the word Heathkit AND the word SWR. You can string together several words this way to narrow a search.
Another example using the "+" symbol: If you were searching for the Hammarlund SP-600, but didn't know if you should use SP600, SP 600, or SP-600, use SP+600.
Combine quotes and the + symbol. A search for “SWR meter”+Heathkit will result in entries that include both the exact phrase “SWR meter” as well as the word “Heathkit.”
Use the "-" symbol to exclude terms. A search for -Heathkit would result in all of your entries that did not include the word "Heathkit."
Use the + and - symbols together. A search for amplifier + -Heathkit will result in all entries with the term amplifier that do not include the term "Heathkit."
Use the "*" symbol as a "wild card" suffix. A search of harris* will result in entries that include the name Harris, as well as Harrisville, Harrison, Harrisburg, any other words that begin with "Harris."