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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 […]

DX Engineering antenna clamp
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 […]

Hustler antenna capacity hat
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles

How to Improve the Efficiency and Gain of Your Single-Band Mobile Antenna

Back in the day, folks used to say that you’re never fully dressed without a hat. In the Ham world, DX Engineering Hot Rodz® Adjustable Antenna Capacity Hats for select […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Technical Articles

The Hows and Whys of Operating on Two Meters or Six During the Summer Months

Let’s face it: The HF bands haven’t been that great for a while. Trying to enjoy Ham Radio during the bottom of the 11-year solar cycle can be tough. The […]

Kenwood mobile ham radio transceiver
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). […]

QSL card from St. Vincent and the Grendanines QRV
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 QSL Card from Fiji
Events / Photo Galleries

It’s All in the Cards: A Look at QSL Cards from Fiji

Every month, DX Engineering features QSL cards from our team members’ personal collections. To highlight upcoming DXpeditions, we’ll be displaying a few of our favorite cards along with details about […]

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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 […]