Hams You Should Know: Phil Gildersleeve
Born in 1908 in Portland, Connecticut, Amateur Radio cartoonist Phil Gildersleeve helped define the face of Amateur Radio with his role as longtime cartoonist for QST magazine. He worked at […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering HAM Radio 101
HAM Radio 101
HAM Radio 101 / Uncategorized
Word of the Day: WAC (Worked All Continents Award)
If you’re relatively new to DXing, the thought of “Working the World” may seem daunting. Yes, it may be a “Small World After All” in Disney-speak, but in Ham terminology, […]
HAM Radio 101
What Is an End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) Antenna?
The popular End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) Antenna is an easily portable, high-impedance (2,000-4,000 ohm) wire antenna that resonates on its fundamental frequency and all harmonics above. Several ways exist to bring […]
Events / HAM Radio 101
Honoring Hams Who Operate into Their 100s with the ARRL Centurion Award
There’s no ageism in the world of Amateur Radio—in fact, quite the opposite. The ARRL is committed to celebrating Hams with long-term commitments to the hobby, and that includes celebrating […]
HAM Radio 101
Ham Radio History: Novice Licenses
Many Amateur Radio operators got their feet wet in the hobby by receiving a Novice Class operator license. First issued in 1951, this entry-level license required the applicant to pass […]
HAM Radio 101
Skywarn Amateur Radio Network and How to Get Involved
Keeping the public aware of severe weather hazards isn’t just for meteorologists anymore. Amateur Radio operators, known as storm spotters, partner with the National Weather Service (NWS) to recognize and […]
HAM Radio 101
The Meaning and History of SOS
What does SOS stand for? It’s not “Save Our Ship” or “Save Our Souls” like you might think. Instead, the distress signal that originated in the maritime community is communication […]
HAM Radio 101 / Products & Product Reviews
Brands You Should Know: Elecraft
Elecraft is an industry leader when it comes to Amateur Radio equipment. Founded in Watsonville, California, by Wayne Burdick, N6KR, and Eric Swartz, WA6HHQ, the company’s been knocking it out […]
HAM Radio 101
What are The Monks of Mount Athos?
Mount Athos, or the “Holy Mountain,” is a mountain peninsula located in northeastern Greece that houses 20 monasteries. Completely isolated from modern civilization, Mount Athos has served as a religious […]
HAM Radio 101
What is PSK31?
For Hams who operate without massive antenna systems or significant power but still want to work long distances despite poor propagation and interference, PSK31 (developed by Peter Martinez, G3PLX) has […]
