Many young people seem to be under the impression that amateur radio is in some way a replacement for a cell phone, or at least that’s how they believe amateur radio operators use it. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, amateur radio can be a “when all else fails” method of […]
Alan’s Elecraft KX2 Field Kit in a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack
My friend Alan (W2AEW) has just posted a video of his new Elecraft KX2 field kit built into a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack M55: Click here to view on YouTube. I love your field kit, Alan! I especially appreciate the number of antenna options you’ve managed to pack into what is still a very compact setup. It’s […]
W7MDN: Trail-Running SOTA with the LNR Mountain Topper MTR-3B
by Matt (W7MDN) The Perfect Combination When my work schedule allows, I try to marry up trail running with a SOTA activation, which adds to the adventure aspect of Summits on the Air. I’ve been tweaking my ultralight SOTA kit recently, with the goal of reducing weight and space to just the essentials needed for […]
Pairing the KX2 & AX1 for a Quickie Activation at Falls Lake State Recreational Area
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, I was in Raleigh, North Carolina for the week, trying to fit in as many Parks on the Air activations as possible while my wife and I ran errands and worked through a handful of projects around town. That afternoon, we found ourselves in North Raleigh, and […]
Ham Radio 101: The Origins and Evolution of Q-Codes
Who or what is Q? In James Bond films and novels, he was the head of Q Branch, which developed all the cool gadgets that Bond used in his missions. Remember the laser Rolex, Dentonite toothpaste explosive, and “Little Nellie,” a compact helicopter equipped with heat-seeking missiles? All these solutions helped keep 007 alive while […]
Trying to Choose Between the Elecraft KH1 or Elecraft KX2? Here Are Some Questions You Should Ask Yourself.
By Thomas (K4SWL) One of the question I’m asked often by readers—especially those looking for a highly capable, do-it-all field radio—is this: “Which radio should I buy: the Elecraft KH1 or the Elecraft KX2?” I’ve talked about this briefly in some of my activation videos over the years, but usually in passing and often while […]
Building a Portable Station that Can Also Be Used for Base Operations
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Or in ham terms, did you build a base station that you made portable or vice versa? *** Every day I talk to ham radio operators about various rabbit holes that make up our hobby. There are many holes one can choose to explore, and there’s no […]
Tested: “The Surprising Flaws in 18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries”
Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) for sharing this recent episode of Adam Savage’s Tested, where he and his guests (Alex Hao and Andreas Bastian of Lumafield) take a close look at CT scans of 18650 lithium batteries, uncovering battery manufacturing defects and quality control inconsistencies: Click here to view on YouTube.
Ham Radio Youth Insights: Notes from an American Student Participating in the Worked All Germany Contest
I began my student exchange year in Germany last August. I had no idea how active I’d be in amateur radio through the ten months I would spend there. It turns out the answer to that question is “very active.” I arrived with my host family in the last few days of September. The next […]
KB2PIZ: Greenhalgh Trail BLM — A Lightly Activated POTA Site
by Mark (KB2PIZ) After finishing one of the most amazing, serendipitous activations in Jerome State Historical Park, our journey had us heading up 89A towards Kanab, Utah. Looking at the map, five minutes from where I was going to work was the Greenhalgh Trail BLM Recreation Area (US-5986). Not only was this a POTA spot, […]