HAM Radio 101

HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day: Footswitches

DX Engineering Footswitches are used for keying transceivers, amplifiers, and other radio or electronic equipment with your foot. They’re outfitted with spring-loaded pedals, slip-proof foot pads, and rubber feet for […]

icom ham radio cover
HAM Radio 101 / Products & Product Reviews

Product Profile: Equipment Covers

The equipment you buy as an Amateur Radio operator is a noble investment—and one that’s worth protecting. Don’t give dust and dirt any time to settle on the days you’re […]

man building a small portable radio antenna
HAM Radio 101 / Technical Articles

Beyond Your Local Repeater: 15 Things to Do with a Technician License

You studied hard and passed the test—congratulations, you’re a Ham Radio operator! With that new Technician license in hand you can now get on the air. But what, exactly, does […]

A Gator equipment case
HAM Radio 101 / Products & Product Reviews

Product Profile: Equipment Cases

Hams can be hard to keep home. From fox hunts to portable operations to DXpeditions, they’re always off on another adventure—and it can take a toll on the delicate instruments […]

man in a home ham radio station
Events / HAM Radio 101

What is the ARRL Rookie Roundup?

For Hams who have just become licensed or new contesters who may be intimidated by the skill of more seasoned operators, ARRL’s six-hour-long Rookie Roundups (held in April/SSB, August/RTTY and […]

ham radio for dummies book
HAM Radio 101 / Products & Product Reviews

Holiday Gift Guide: Reference Books

This holiday season get the Hams in your life the gift that keeps on giving with reference and log books that will keep them up-to-date with new information for their […]

Events / HAM Radio 101

Guide to December 2019 Contests

You’ve got a few more chances to hone your operating skills and capture some end-of-the-year bragging rights before 2019 officially goes in the history books. What are you waiting for? […]

HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio 101: What Does “Barefoot” Mean in Ham Radio?

In Ham-speak, the word “barefoot” has nothing to do with going shoeless in the shack. It means transmitting without the aid of an amplifier. When the topic of amps versus […]

HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day: Tokelau Islands DXpedition

The ZK3A Tokelau Islands 2019 DXpedition’s 19-member team used a range of DX Engineering equipment while operating from this dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean in […]

HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio History: Radio Boys

When it comes to classic literature, Ham Radio rarely plays a prominent role. After all, Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men, not Of Mics and Men. And despite his name, […]