“How do I get young people interested in amateur radio?” It’s a question many of us ask ourselves—and it’s not as straightforward as one may think. Most of the time, when I ask a young ham what got them involved with the hobby, the answer is one of two things: family or school. Family is […]
Ham Radio Special Event: Remembering the Railroad that Connected America, 156 Years Later
Commemorate the driving of “The Golden Spike” by Making a QSO with Special Event Station W7G on May 10, 2025 Before there were tiny computers in your pocket, heck, before there were cars or planes, the primary modes of communication and transportation were horses and trains—and only one of them didn’t need bathroom breaks. On […]
Activating on the Road: The Last Park
by Brian (K3ES) In case you haven’t seen previous Field Reports in this series, let me set the stage. In September and October of 2024, my wife, Becky, and I set out with our dog, Molly, for a great cross-country driving adventure. We left from our home in northwest Pennsylvania on September 18, driving west […]
Field Day Gear Part 1: Hams Share Their ARRL Field Day Must-Haves
In the weeks leading up to ARRL Field Day 2025 (June 28-29), OnAllBands will be featuring amateur radio equipment you’ll want to consider adding to your portable prep list. This includes: Upgraded coaxial cable, including high-visibility orange coax Cable connectors Transceivers Wire antennas HF portable vertical antennas Portable masts Antenna analyzers Gear for improved audio […]
Guide to May 2025 Ham Radio Contests—Contesting Gear Edition
DX Engineering will be well-represented at three not-to-be-missed southern Ohio ham radio events in May: Four Days in May (FDIM, May 15-18); Contest University, (May 15); and Dayton Hamvention® (May 16-18). Be sure to visit the entire DX Engineering team in Building One at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia to get a […]
Hamvention and FDIM on the Horizon!
This year seems to have flown by already. No doubt it’s because it’s been one of the busiest years of my life so far (and I kind of hope it doesn’t get any busier!). It feels like I was just wishing everyone a Happy New Year, and now—poof!—we’re only a week away from Four Days […]
A New Penntek TR-45L Transport Cover from Mike (N2HTT) at HamGear3D
In the spirit of full disclosure, my friend Mike (N2HTT) recently sent me one of his latest creations—a 3D-printed transport cover for the Penntek TR-45L—to evaluate at no cost. I’m happy to report that it’s a solid and thoughtful accessory for TR-45L users. Mike designed this cover not for use during operation, but rather for […]
It’s All in the Cards! QSL Cards from Top 10 Most Wanted DXCC Entities (Part 1)
You hear it again and again from amateur operators who have spent a lifetime trying to work the world: “All I need is Pratas Island!” “If San Felix would ever be on the air again, I could rest in peace.” “Will I ever get another chance to make contact with Scarborough Reef?” “North Korea? Well, […]
Cherry Blossoms, History, and POTA in Ritsurin Garden
by Mark (JJ5GVY/KB2PIZ) My wife and I visit Japan every year for 3 to 4 months, usually in the spring. This year, we arrived in early March, and the weather was a bit cold. However, recently, we’ve seen the temperature turn quite warm and mild, with the cherry blossoms just beginning to bloom! It’s a […]
The Yaesu FTX-1: Packages, Pricing, and Early Observations
As soon as reservations opened for the Yaesu FTX-1 via DX Engineering last year, I placed my order. Details were sparse at the time, but we understood this would be Yaesu’s modernized successor to the beloved FT-817 and FT-818—the iconic bullet-proof radios that served the community for over two decades. Indeed they still serve me […]