Mugs, Coaxial Prep Tools, Shortwave Radios & More
We’re only a week away from December 25, 2024—and the rare occurrence of Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah falling on the same date.
However you celebrate, the window for holiday gift-buying closes a bit with each Hallmark movie and showing of “Elf” on cable (several hundred, by our count).
If you’re a notorious procrastinator (or simply overwhelmed with seasonal tasks), don’t forget that DX Engineering Gift Cards can be purchased at DXEngineering.com or by calling 800-777-0703 to order in denominations from $25 to $500. You can also receive a “digital” version of the DX Engineering Gift Card sent right to your email inbox within 10 to 15 minutes if ordered between 5 am and 11 pm ET (orders placed after 11 pm ET will be emailed the next morning).
In our previous gift posts, OnAllBands has covered station audio enhancements, DX Engineering logo apparel, Getting Started transceiver packages, ham radio books, antenna analyzers, Geochron’s Digital Atlas 2 4K, and more.
Today’s week-before-the-big-day Ham Radio Holiday Gift Guide 2024 focuses on ways you can kick off 2025 by gifting yourself with something special from DXEngineering.com.
Toast the New Year in Style
Raise a DX Engineering mug or tumbler filled with your favorite beverage to welcome in the New Year. Here are some excellent choices:
The DX Engineering Logo 30-Ounce Vacuum-Insulated Tumbler is made from double-wall stainless steel. Equipped with a leak-resistant, gasket-sealed acrylic lid, this “Kong-sized” vessel (8 inches tall) is designed to keep drinks hot for two hours and cold for up to 36 hours.
You can go one step bigger with the dishwasher-safe DX Engineering 40-Ounce Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler, featuring ergonomic handle, secure lid and straw for easy thirst quenching, and double-walled and vacuum-insulated construction that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Also check out these quality beverage containers:
- DX Engineering 16-Ounce Flecked Exterior Ceramic Coffee Mug
- DX Engineering 16-Ounce Bistro Mug
- ARRL W1AW Mug, featuring a sketch of the iconic station
- DX Engineering 17-Ounce Stainless Steel Mug
- DX Engineering 26-Ounce Water Bottle
- ARRL Cycle 25 Mug
Coaxial Cable Tool Kits
Carry everything you need to prep and install soldered connectors on your coaxial cable. The Basic Coax Tool Kit (DXE-UT-KIT3) is tailored for RG-213 and RG-8 cable with PL-259 connectors. It includes a stripping tool, gripping tool, specialized PL-259 assembly tool, cable shears, and carrying case.
Upgrading to the Complete Coax Tool Kit (DXE-UT-KIT4) gives you the tools to work with RG-8/X size cable and Type-N connectors. It comes with specialized stripping, gripping, and assembly tools. You also get a braid trimmer, replacement blades for the stripping tool, and carrying case.
Five Stars (DXE-UT-KIT4): “Super simple.I used to fight stripping coax and putting connectors on. Now it’s so simple. Why didn’t I have this 20 years ago.”
Russell, DX Engineering Customer
Coaxial Cable Prep Tool Kit for Crimp Connectors
Available for many cable types, the complete Coaxial Cable Prep Tool Kit for Crimp Connectors (DXE-UT-KIT-CC1) makes it easy to properly prepare coaxial cable for DX Engineering or Amphenol Connex crimp connectors. Just place the end of your coax against the internal stop of the cutting tool, close the cutter and twist. The cable is cut to the correct measurement. Place the coax in the other side of the cutter, close it, and withdraw the cable—the coax jacket is now slit for easy removal of the cut portions. You can select from the complete kit or buy each cutter separately.
Ultra-Grip 2 Crimp Connector Hand Tool Kit
The Ultra-Grip 2 kit (DXE-UT-KIT-CRMP2) includes everything you need to make professional-quality crimps on coaxial and Powerpole connectors. The ratcheting steel crimper is designed to fit ergonomically in your hand to reduce fatigue. The kit comes with the Ultra-Grip 2 tool, five crimp dies, shears, braid trimmer, Allen wrench, and case. Dies are precisely sized for RG-8U, LMR-400, RG-8X, and LMR-240 type cables, along with specialized dies for Powerpole 15A, 30A, and 45A connectors, as well as insulated and un-insulated wire terminals. Dies and grip tool also sold separately. To expand the kit’s functionality, purchase extra crimp dies made to handle various common crimp connector types in several sizes.
F-Connector Coax Cable Tool Kit
This F-connector kit (DXE-UT-KITF) includes stripping tool for RG-6U dual-shield/quad-shield and F-6 size cable, 25 Universal Compression F-connectors for any RG-6U or F-6 cables, F-connector compression tool, coaxial cable shears, F-connector tightening tool, and stripping tool replacement blades. The universal connectors fit any RG6 cable, eliminating the hassle of using color-coded F-connector types.
Here’s a great gift to keep your shack organized next year: DX Engineering’s Canvas Tool Bag.
The bag features a durable, water-repellant canvas fabric; reinforced bottom with anti-skid feet; and a heavy-duty, two-way zipper enclosure designed to keep your tools safe. The 20″ x 11″ x 10″ DX Engineering Tool Bag features 27 pockets (six inside and 21 outside) and comes with a detachable carrying strap and permanent handles for easy transport.
Shortwave Radios
DX Engineering carries a nice selection of shortwave radios in a range of prices. Eton offers six finely built Elite Series radios that deliver wide coverage and user-friendly functionality:
- Elite Mini AM/FM/Shortwave Portable Radio: Features include 5.900-17.900 MHz shortwave tuner frequency range, alarm, sleep timer, FM telescopic antenna, built-in AM ferrite bar antenna, high-contrast bright orange LCD display, and carrying pouch.
Also choose from:
- Elite Field BT AM/FM/SW Bluetooth Portable Radio
- Elite Executive AM/FM/LW/SW/SSB/Aircraft Band Portable Radio
- Elite 750 AM/FM/LW/SW/SSB/Aircraft Band Portable Radio (below)
From the innovators at Sangean, a company that has been producing exceptional radios since 1974, comes the ATS-909X2 World-Band FM/SW/NW/LW/Air Band Portable Radio.
And when the calendar page flips (see the ARRL’s 2025 Amateur Radio Calendar now available), be sure to visit DXEngineering.com for “Hot Deals” on open box, scratch-and-dent, and clearance items so you can make good use of any holiday cash earmarked for all the ham stuff you didn’t receive!
