Plus, find links to more amateur radio satellite videos from DX Engineering. *** If want to work the “birds” from the comfort of your shack, the Icom IC-9700 VHF/UHF/1.2 GHz Transceiver is the satellite-friendly rig you’ll want to handle the job. (Image/DX Engineering) The Icom IC-9700 features full-duplex operation, simultaneous dual-band reception, and an integrated […]
Ham Radio Youth Insights: How to Get the Most Out of Remote Station Access
Hams of any age know amateur radio can be a rather expensive endeavor, especially when you think about how quickly the equipment costs can pile up. This can be a major obstacle for young hams just starting to explore the hobby, but fortunately there are solutions to this problem and resources to take advantage of. […]
The Perfect Afternoon: Coffee, CW, and 0.1 Watts at William B. Umstead State Park
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Friday, January 16, 2026, after a morning of running errands around Raleigh, my wife and I grabbed lunch at the condo. As we were wrapping up, I glanced outside—cold and breezy, but sunny—and thought, “This is a perfect afternoon to activate a park.” (In truth, pretty much anytime is the perfect […]
Elecraft KH1 3D-Printed Protective Caps by PD5GL
Many thanks to Gos (PD5GL), who shares the following: Hi Thomas, For my upcoming PCT hike I want to have more to do on the trail, so I’ll be activating some SOTAs along the way. For that I purchased the KH1 and a Pelican case. The case is great, but it’s quite heavy and I […]
Field Radio Kit Extras: What Do You Pack?
This morning, I was repacking my main field radio backpack and taking a close look at what I carry. As I was doing that, I added something new to my main field pack: three bandpass filters — one each for 40m, 30m, and 20m. I purchased these from Dan (K9DP). Honestly, this is not something […]
Can You Work DX on VHF & UHF?
Yes, you can. VHF and UHF are often underrated for DX contacts because hams have long believed they’re just for local use. From the very beginning, new operators are taught a simple rule: HF goes far, VHF and UHF go as far as you can see. While VHF and UHF are usually line-of-sight bands, the […]
Amateur Radio: Learning New Things Is Neverending
Throughout my previous career in public safety and even with my continued involvement in emergency management, there have always been continuing education requirements. Theories were always evolving, new modalities were introduced, and new specialties were emerging. Continuing education was a way to make sure those who needed to know…knew. Amateur radio does not have any […]
Ham Radio Youth Insights: How to Study for Amateur Radio Licensing Exams
Getting an amateur radio license can seem daunting at first. Some compare the Technician exam to a community college’s first-year electrical engineering class. That’s probably a fair comparison, although you don’t need to study for nearly as long to get your amateur radio license. Before I delve into studying tips, I’ll start with a quick […]
Hams Get Peace of Mind Through the DX Engineering Protection Plan (Videos)
The introduction of the DX Engineering Protection Plan in October 2025 was welcome news to amateur radio operators who wanted additional coverage for the equipment they bought for their stations. Hams who have added this best-in-class plan to their purchases have seen it as a smart investment in ensuring that their gear receives protection beyond […]
EI3LH: The Long Road to an Elecraft KH1 — Ian’s First Field Tests & Impressions
Many thanks to Ian (EI3LH), who shares the following post, originally posted on his blog: New year, new radio. Taking the Elecraft KH1 for a test drive. by Ian (EI3LH) Radios are, in my opinion, more often than not, somewhat bland aesthetic affairs. Usually, lumps of various shades of black/grey/insertboringcolourschemeasapplicable and fairly tedious to behold. The […]