HAM Radio 101

wspr radio propagation display map
HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio 101: What is WSPR?

Let’s start with the basics: If you’ve wondered if a band is open, WSPR can tell you. As noted by Joe Taylor, K1JT, and Bruce Walker, W1BW, in their November […]

HAM Radio 101

Signal Reporting | Ham Radio 101

This weekend I was on SSB for a few activities. While scrolling through the frequencies, I heard this conversation after a CQ. I am going to call Ham 1 AB8XXX […]

HAM Radio 101

A Brief Look at Amateur Radio in Space | Ham Radio 101

There’s an impressive history of amateur radio operators who have stood on the leading edge of space activities. Examples include the amateur radio moonbounce, or Earth-Moon-Earth (EME), by W4AO and […]

HAM Radio 101

What’s a Vanity Call Sign and How Do You Get One?

Have you thought about changing your current call sign? Maybe you’ve upgraded your license, moved to a new call area, decided you want a shorter call, or have a real […]

Icom IC-705 HF/50/144/430 MHz All Mode Portable Transceiver
HAM Radio 101

So, You’re Ready to Buy Your First HF Transceiver. Now What?

Whether you just got your license, or you have been in the hobby for a while, your interests may be leading you to explore the HF bands. For many of […]

HAM Radio 101

Stretching and Cautions About Lifting for Ham Radio Antenna Season

As I’m writing at the end of March, antenna season is about to get underway in many parts of North America, including for the author. (Those of you in the […]

HAM Radio 101

Baseball and Ham Radio Collide on April 8, 2024

April 8 is a huge day for hams who will be participating in the Solar Eclipse QSO Party, an event sponsored by HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation). It’s a […]

HAM Radio 101

Hams You Should Know: Margaret Iaquinto, VK3NQQ, SK, the Amateur Who Talked to Russian Cosmonauts from Her Kitchen Table

What do ham radio, piloting aircraft, and folk dances have in common? All three were hobbies acquired by amateur radio enthusiast Margaret (King) Iaquinto, VK3NQQ, SK, a New Haven, Connecticut […]

Herbert Hoover Jr. at Ham Radio station
HAM Radio 101

Hams You Should Know: Herbert Hoover Jr., W6ZH, Son of U.S. President Herbert Hoover

The eldest of 31st President Herbert Hoover’s two sons, Herbert Charles Hoover, W6ZH, better known as Herbert Hoover Jr., shared more than just a common name with his highly influential father. […]

HAM Radio 101

Airplane Scatter: How Hams are Taking Radio Signals Skyward to Ping Airplanes

If you’re a “been there, done that” kind of ham who has bounced a radio signal off everything from the moon to a meteor to the Aurora Borealis, we bet […]