Word of the Day: What is a “Pilot Station” in Amateur Radio?
Pilot stations are members of a DXpedition who operate from populated areas and are in regular contact with the DXpedition. Their job is to report on how things are going […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering HAM Radio 101
HAM Radio 101
HAM Radio 101
HAM Radio 101: Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur
Being a Ham Radio operator comes with big responsibilities. If we are to reap the vast rewards of the hobby we share, adhering to a code of on-air conduct is […]
HAM Radio 101
Word of the Day: Genius Clamp
From time to time, this column will focus on a product unique to Ham Radio. Today, we’re devoting our Word of the Day to the Genius Clamp, a product of […]
HAM Radio 101
Word of the Day (Phonetic Alphabet): Why You Should Use the Phonetic Alphabet for HAM Radio Communication
When you’re communicating on the air, using the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, recognized by most Hams worldwide, can help avoid confusion that results because many letters sound alike. Phonetics are words […]
HAM Radio 101
Word of the Day (CQ): What Does CQ Stand For?
From the ARRL Glossary, CQ is defined as “Calling any station.” It is the general call when requesting a conversation with anyone. Like many other telegraph terms which originated on […]
HAM Radio 101
Word of the Day (Rig): What is a Rig in Amateur Radio?
Rig refers to a transmitter, receiver or, most commonly, a transceiver—a combination of a receiver and transmitter in one (back in the old days, these were separate pieces of equipment). […]
HAM Radio 101
What is a QSL Card? (Word of the Day)
If you’re new to Ham Radio, maybe you’ve seen a friend’s shack filled with postcards displaying tropical locales, the International Space Station, battleships, and other images. These are QSL cards. […]
HAM Radio 101 / Products & Product Reviews
The Age-Old Debate: New vs Used HAM Radio Equipment
To buy new or not to buy new, that is the question. If Hamlet had been an amateur radio operator (with a name like Hamlet, why not?), maybe he would […]
HAM Radio 101
What is a Panadapter (Word of the Day)?
A band scope that displays signals on a band visually, usually as a line or area graph, allowing for a view of activity across a slice or an entire band. […]
HAM Radio 101
What is Contest University (Word of the Day)?
Contest University is an annual one-day seminar/workshop in Dayton, Ohio, held the day before Hamvention. Top Amateur Radio contesters, including members of the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, impart […]
