Azimuth Maps & Magnetic Declination Corrections in the Field. by Randall Tom (W7UDT) According to the USGS website (which is wrong!), in the United States, the current magnetic declination can be found below. Here’s the USGS link: https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/outdoor-resources/what-is-declination/ Did you know that magnetic north changes over time? And with that, magnetic declination changes over time! […]
Common Issues Youth Face in Amateur Radio
Overall, the amateur radio community is an incredibly welcoming and supportive environment. However, there are still a few struggles that plague many of the hobby’s young enthusiasts, particularly when they are first licensed. First and foremost, it can be hard to know what steps to take after getting licensed. When I first passed my Technician […]
Futureproofing the KX1: My Spare Parts List
If you’ve been a reader of QRPer.com or a subscriber to my YouTube channel, you’ve no doubt figured out that I’m a huge fan of the Elecraft KX1 transceiver. The KX1 was my first handheld CW field transceiver and, frankly, it still holds its own today as an effective and fun field radio. With up […]
South Carolina QRP Club’s 2025 QRPFEST on May 10, 2025
Many thanks to Bill (W4FSV) who shares the following announcement from the South Carolina QRP Club: South Carolina QRP Club 2025 QRPFEST This year’s theme: “Hams Just Want To Have Fun” Saturday, May 10th, 2025, 09:30 am until 02:30 pm, at the Heyward Park on Savvany Hunt Club Rd in Sandy Run Calhoun County. (Just […]
Ham Radio History: Code Warrior—the Telegraph Key that Made Waves
DX Engineering Customer/Technical Support Specialist Wayne Smith, K8FF, Recounts the Invention of This Beloved, Breakthrough Iambic Paddle The story of the Code Warrior telegraph key began in 1997 at the Dayton Hamvention®, one of the largest gatherings of amateur radio enthusiasts in the world. While chatting with a friend from California, I was presented with […]
New Product/Vendor Spotlight: LDG Electronics & Its AAF5 Analog Audio Filter
A new piece of amateur radio gear from the team at LDG Electronics is always exciting news at DX Engineering, where we carry more than 35 items from the company that proudly bills itself as “An American Mom and Pop Ham Shop.” Before we take a look at its latest offering (the AAF5 Analog Audio […]
The Return of the Venerable Elecraft K1!
Some of you might recall that back in the summer of 2022, I performed a POTA activation with my buddies Eric (WD8RIF) and Miles (KD8KNC) at Hawks Nest State Park (K-1813). Here’s the field report, and video: You might have also noticed that I recently performed an activation with my own Elecraft K1. Here’s a […]
Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air Field Report: Part 1
Many of you likely know that I’m on the crew of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast and that, in December 2023, we hosted the first Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air (HRWBOTA) event. Unfortunately, I had one scheduling conflict I couldn’t change, which meant starting the event with my KH1 in a downtown Asheville parking […]
Ham Radio Tech: Anderson Powerpoles®—Putting It All Together
One of the really annoying things about ham radio is the sheer number of different cables and connectors out there. With USB alone, there are four or five common ones, and let’s not even talk about all the other connectors for the variety of wall warts. Reach into your power cord stash and you’ll see […]
Guide to April 2025 Ham Radio Contests: Severe Weather Prep Edition
As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” With state QSO parties and state park activations kicking into high gear this month, amateur radio enthusiasts may choose to modify this to say, “Warmer weather brings us together…on the air!” Unfortunately, gentle showers aren’t the only climatic occurrences that affect amateur radio and our neighborhoods […]