Rag Chewing: A Lost Art
How long are your QSOs? If you’re a contester, they’re likely done in seconds. Operating FT8, your semi-automated QSOs exchange call signs, locations, and signal reports—all in about 90 seconds. […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Articles written by: Mark Haverstock, K8MSH
HAM Radio 101
Technical Articles
Tips on How to Make Your Next Hamfest a Prime Day for Buying or Selling
After parking and waiting in line, you finally make it inside the gates. You drop off your ticket for the prize drawings, and you’re ready to bargain. No two hamfests […]
Events / HAM Radio 101
Hamfests—What’s in it for Me?
If you’ve been to one—or several—you already know. If you haven’t, read on. You could be missing a good time! A hamfest is a convention of amateur radio enthusiasts, usually […]
HAM Radio 101
Who Stole My Bands? A Look at Ham Radio and the Capricious Sun.
Forty meters is open. You’re making plenty of QSOs, even snagging a few DX stations. Suddenly, signals begin to fade or even disappear—and they don’t seem to come back. You […]
Technical Articles
Ham Radio Tips: Keep Your Feet on the Ground and Your Station on the Air
Having entered my seventh decade, I know I can’t do all the stuff I used to do when I was in my 30s. Climbing trees, towers, and extension ladders or […]
Uncategorized
Does Your HT Have Low-T? How to Improve Your Handheld Radio’s Performance
It’s time for the weekly club net and you’re ready to check in on the local repeater. With HT in hand, you confidently press the PTT button. “This is KE8ABC, […]
Technical Articles
Ham Radio 101: Soldering Tips
Learning how to solder using proper techniques is a fundamental skill every ham should master. Whether you’re attaching connectors to a coaxial cable or constructing a balun, knowing how to […]
HAM Radio 101
Ham Radio 101: Modes
What’s a “mode”? The term really has two meanings in ham radio, and the definitions overlap somewhat. An operating mode is a description of what you are doing to send […]
Antennas and Tuners / Products & Product Reviews
Reaching New Heights with Telescoping Masts for Ham Radio Operations
The telescopic antenna mast is popular with many hams. It’s simple to install and reasonably inexpensive to purchase, offering an alternative to a tower for supporting a modest antenna. A […]
Uncategorized
Pros and Cons of HF Attic Antennas
In a perfect world, all hams would have plenty of room for antennas. HOAs wouldn’t exist, and there would be no need to hide antennas in the attic (provided you […]
