HAM Radio 101

antenna resonance illustration
HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day (Reflector): What is Reflector on an Antenna?

When referring to an antenna, or specifically, a Yagi or quad antenna, the reflector is the parasitic (e.g., not fed with coax) element of the antenna that lies behind (opposite […]

South Orkney Islands DXpedition 2020 graphic
Events / HAM Radio 101

South Orkney Islands DXpedition 2020 Overview

The last Word of the Day post highlighted the Islands on the Air (IOTA) program, which encourages Amateur Radio operators to makes QSOs with stations operating from the Earth’s vast […]

Islands on the Air Logo
HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day (IOTA): What Does IOTA Stand For?

IOTA stands for Islands on the Air—a program established in 1964 to encourage Amateur Radio operators to contact stations located on the 1,200 or so island groups dotting the planet. […]

Ham Radio station portable go-kit
HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day (Go-Kit): What is a Go-Kit for Field Day?

As ARRL Field Day 2019 nears (June 22-23), many in the Ham Radio community are preparing for the serious business of honing their emergency communications skills. Field Day gives Amateur […]

large yagi antenna in the sky
HAM Radio 101

Triplexer Filter Combination Package–How it Can Help on Field Day

While ARRL Field Day is fun, it can be a challenge if you’re not properly prepared. One of the biggest obstacles to a successful Field Day can be setting up […]

Get on the Air ARRL Field Day logo
HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day (GOTA): What Does GOTA Stand For?

GOTA stands for Get On the Air. By setting up a GOTA station during ARRL Field Day, you can give newly licensed Hams as well as curious onlookers the opportunity […]

men erecting a large portable ham radio antenna
HAM Radio 101

What is ARRL Field Day?

Who’s ready for Field Day, June 22-23? For the experienced operators at DX Engineering, it’s one of the highlights of the Ham Radio year. The first ARRL Field Day was […]

chordal hop propagation diagram
HAM Radio 101

What is “Long Path” in Ham Radio?

A situation where HF propagation exists between two stations in the inverse direction of the great circle heading.  “Beaming long path” means pointing your antenna 180 degrees different from the […]

two young ham radio operators at a station
HAM Radio 101

“ARRL Kids Day” (Word of the Day)

On June 15, young people all over the world will get to experience the magic of Ham Radio during ARRL Kids Day—a biannual event designed to get youth excited about […]

ham radio keyer cartoon
HAM Radio 101

Word of the Day: Pileup

Imagine you are one of many reporters at a White House press conference, all simultaneously trying to get called on by the president. A din of voices fills the air […]