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 […]
It’s All in the Cards! QSL Cards from Morocco
Today, OnAllBands turns its attention to Morocco—an African country known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains. If you’ve seen “Laurence of Arabia” and “Gladiator”, both filmed in Morocco, you’ve gotten a taste of its diverse scenery. The 1942 classic film “Casablanca”, (Morocco’s largest city), […]
Checking Off a Bucket-List Park: Pedestrian Mobile at the North Carolina State Capitol!
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Thursday, January 15, 2026, I finally set aside time to activate a park that had been on my bucket list for a very long time: the North Carolina State Capitol State Historic Site (US-6852). Living in North Carolina, this one has always felt like a must-do activation. After all, it’s the […]
KB2PIZ: Pairing the SGC 2020 and CHA LEFS 4010 at Fort Boggy State Park
by Mark (KB2PIZ) After the snowstorm on the 26th of January, my work took me up the road to College Station, Texas and then to Dallas, Texas for one day. Looking at the map, I saw that if I headed west from College Station, I would pick up Route 45 and head north to Dallas. […]
25 Things Every Ham Radio Operator Says at Least Once
Whether you’re a brand-new Technician or a grizzled Extra with soldering-iron battle scars, every ham eventually utters the same phrases. Some are hopeful. Some are delusional. All are universally understood. Here are 25 of the greatest hits—not necessarily in order. *** 25 Things Every Ham Radio Operator Says at Least Once *** 1. “I’ll just […]
Guide to February 2026 Ham Radio Contests—Valentine’s Day Gifts & Fractured Poetry Edition
Greetings, lovers of amateur radio! February’s OnAllBands contesting guide features a few of our favorite on-air competitions for the month along with something extra: amateur radio gift ideas for Valentine’s Day and a bit of holiday poetry in the vein of William Shakespeare, who famously wrote these words (or something like them) for Hamlet’s most […]
Two Marks POTA at W. Goodrich Jones State Park!
by Mark (KB2PIZ) Every year, when I go to Houston for a conference, I manage to squeeze in an amazing eyeball QSO with Mark Tyler (K5GQ). Mark is my CWOPS Instructor and mentor, instrumental in bringing my CW skills up to speed. We had originally planned to meet on Sunday, but a major blizzard was […]
Ham Radio Contesting 101: Using Call Sign & Exchange Databases
A thread on the CQ-Contest reflector discussed the use of databases to “suggest” call signs or exchange elements during a contest. Most contesting software provides one or more functions which allow the use of such databases. First, I will explain what these databases are and how they might be used. Then I will consider whether […]