HAM Radio 101

a group of ham radio operators during a contest event
HAM Radio 101

Contesting 101: Beyond Copying Call Signs

Why do some of your competitors always seem to know what band to be on? Where do they get those additional QSOs and multipliers from? How come their rate sheet […]

dx engineering dipole antenna kit
HAM Radio 101

Youth Ham Radio Insights: Getting Started on a Budget

Amateur radio isn’t the easiest hobby for young people to pursue for a multitude of reasons, including the support needed to get one’s footing in the hobby. One of the […]

portable ham radio group outside an RV
HAM Radio 101

How My Wife Became a Ham…and Advice on Getting Others Onboard

Here’s one of the common threads I hear from operators: “I wish my spouse/significant other would operate with me.” In any relationship, it’s natural to want to share our hobbies […]

small loop antenna erected on roof
HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio Shortcuts to Avoid

Everyone has that one uncle. My wife’s family would all gather at her grandparents’ farm in the backwoods of Kentucky a few times a year. It was a four-to-five-hour drive […]

two ham radio operators sitting at controls
HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio Contesting 101: The Big “Secret” of Contesting Success

Editor’s Note: OnAllBands is pleased to post a series of articles written by accomplished amateur radio contester and DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist Kirk Pickering, K4RO. The articles, originally published in the […]

OnAllBands Guitar Amp 11
HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio Contesting 101: Top Ten “Rookie” Mistakes, Plus Bonus—Because This List Goes to 11

A while back while operating a contest, I realized that I was hearing certain types of mistakes made over and over throughout the contest. I thought that it might be […]

Collage of young ham radio operator pictures
HAM Radio 101

Youth Ham Radio Insights: How Young Operators Can Get Involved in Contesting Season

The most wonderful time of the year for many hams is right around the corner—Contesting Season! It’s a great time for young operators who may be interested in trying out […]

psk reporter screegrab
HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio 101: Band Aid—How Do I Choose Which HF Band to Use?

Choosing the right ham radio band is a decision we all make when we fire up our transceivers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced operator, you want to […]

Sierra Radio Module, GPIO
HAM Radio 101

Contesting 101: The Computer & Your Contest Station

Editor’s Note: OnAllBands is pleased to post a series of articles written by accomplished amateur radio contester and DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist Kirk Pickering, K4RO. The articles, originally published in the […]

man wrapping an RF connector with tape
HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio Contesting 101: Staying QRV

It’s important to maintain your station—and yourself—for effective contesting. Editor’s Note: OnAllBands is pleased to post a series of articles written by accomplished amateur radio contester and DX Engineering customer/technical support […]