Articles written by: Elizabeth Klinc, KE8FMJ

Elizabeth Klinc, KE8FMJ, is District Emergency Coordinator, D3 Ohio ARES.

FT8 frequency settings software screenshot
FT8 / Technical Articles

FT8: Completed and Logged QSOs

What makes an FT8 digital QSO complete and logged? Sometimes you get a signal report back from someone responding with R-10, for example, and then the contact dies there. A […]

FT8: Frequencies, Decibels, and Message Meanings
FT8 / Technical Articles

FT8: Frequencies, Decibels, and Message Meanings

FT8 is a very popular protocol and continually growing. But does everyone understand the nuances? What do all the characters mean? What are the frequencies? Why are the signal reports’ […]

Emergency Auxcomms patch
EMCOMM

EMCOMM: What is AUXCOMM and Why is it Important?

The Department of Homeland Security National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant program adopted AUXCOMM for all auxiliary emergency/public service communications within most states. AUXCOMM encompasses amateur radio, RACES, CERT Team […]

a mobile emcomm truck and trailer
EMCOMM

EMCOMM: What is a Mobile Command Center?

EMCOMM often relies on portability. It is a huge factor for deployment in an emergency or disaster. So it would stand to reason that the next phase in portability and […]

ham radio band and frequency chart
FT8 / Technical Articles

FT8 vs. FT4: Ham Radio Operating in Digital Modes

FT4 and FT8 are weak-signal-condition digital protocols designed for rapid, accurate communication between amateur radio stations. Information exchanged in a contact typically consists of call signs, four-character Maidenhead locators, signal […]

MARS Logo
EMCOMM

EMCOMM: What is MARS and How Can You Get Involved?

The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) started in November 1925 as the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) to provide a pool of trained radio operators to augment the Signal Corps […]

FT8 Spectrum Analysis Screen Shot
FT8 / Technical Articles

FT8: Low Signal or Low Power?

It is always interesting to speak on controversial topics, and FT8 sure has had its fair share of controversy. There is one complaint in particular that keeps reappearing: How much […]

ARES Training Plan Book
EMCOMM

EMCOMM: What is the ARES Task Book?

According to the ARRL… The Task Book is a working document that enables those ARES® communicators electing to participate in the ARRL training plan to track and document their training […]

FT8 / Technical Articles

FT8: Polite Operating Procedures for Ham Radio Operators

This is going to be a blog that not everyone will agree with. There are plenty of opinions  on the “correct” or “polite” way to operate, and that is perfectly […]

National Traffic System Logo
EMCOMM / Technical Articles

EMCOMM: What is the NTS?

The National Traffic System (NTS) is a field organization of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It’s comprised of a network of amateur radio operators who relay messages throughout the […]