Search Results for: mistakes

Yaesu FT-991 ham radio transceiver, front
Technical Articles

Five Mistakes New Ham Operators Make (Bonus Article, Part 6): Searching for the Magic Bullet

Our society seems obsessed with the “all-in-one” concept. Last Father’s Day we purchased a pen that had 22 functions. I have a jump box in my Jeep with nine functions. […]

HAM Radio 101

Five Mistakes New Hams Make (Part 5): Not Immersing Yourself in the Culture

I have been very blessed to do medical mission work throughout Central America since I was 13 years old. After the first week of my first trip, I was having […]

HAM Radio 101

Five Mistakes I Made as a New Ham (Part 4): Having Unrealistic Expectations of My Abilities and Gear

I have always been the guy with big dreams and high hopes. Because of this, I also have high expectations. This is true of anything I have been involved in, […]

HAM Radio 101

Five Mistakes I Made as a New Ham (Part 3): Skimping on Quality Equipment

There is an old tale that states the origin of stranded copper wire resulted from two hams fighting over a penny found on the ground at a hamfest. I totally […]

HAM Radio 101

Five Mistakes I Made as a New Ham, Part 2: Having a Lack of Focus

Editor’s Note: Troy Blair, KE8DRR, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, enjoys sharing personal stories about his involvement in amateur radio so others can learn from his experiences in the true spirit […]

HAM Radio 101

Five Mistakes I Made as a New Ham, Part 1: Going it Alone

Editor’s Note: Troy Blair, KE8DRR, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, enjoys sharing personal stories about his involvement in amateur radio so others can learn from his experiences in the true spirit […]

ham radio presentation screenshot
Technical Articles

Just Got Your License? Avoid These Mistakes and Get Off on the Right Foot

You just got your Tech license and your call sign. Now what? The first mistake some new Hams make is not getting on the air as soon as possible. They […]

2 operators sitting at a ham radio station desk
HAM Radio 101

Earning Your Amateur Radio License—a License to Learn

Strong Support from Elmers Makes it Possible for Young Operators Editor’s Note: Katie Campbell, KE8LQR, was recently selected as the 2025 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham […]

Aurora phenomenon taken from space station
Technical Articles

Are EMPs a Real Threat to Ham Radios?

When someone mentions electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), we conjure visions of nukes, terrorists, Starfish Prime, and Armageddon. Would your ham radio be in danger? Statistically, your radio is more likely to […]

ham radio class in session
HAM Radio 101

What’s the Best Way to Study for the Ham Radio Test?

Whether you’re interested in emergency communication, electronics, or just want to talk to people worldwide, passing the ham radio test is the first step. To get licensed, you need to […]