HAM Radio 101

HAM Radio 101

Wireless History: Jack Phillips, Heroism and Missteps Clash Aboard the “Unsinkable” Steamship

Jack Phillips, Titanic senior wireless operator, turned 25 on April 11, 1912—one day after the Titanic sailed out of Southampton harbor. He is primarily remembered for his nonstop efforts to […]

HAM Radio 101

Hams You Should Know: Donald R. Farnsworth, W6TTB

CW (Continuous Wave) continues to be a popular and much-cherished amateur radio mode that captivates hams the world over for a variety of reasons. Ask a CW fan what fascinates […]

social media logo collage
HAM Radio 101

EMCOMM: The Importance of Social Media

Does social media have a place in the ham radio world? Some say they don’t need it because they have ham radio and it is all they will ever need. […]

HAM Radio 101

DX Engineering Free Mast Load Estimator Tool

While you’re checking out the newly designed website at DXEngineering.com, you’ll discover that DX Engineering is about more than carrying the latest and greatest gear for amateur radio operators. Our […]

HC8N Ham Radio QSL Card from Galopagos Islands
HAM Radio 101

It’s All in the Cards! QSL Cards from the Galapagos Islands

Editor’s Note: Every month, DX Engineering features QSL cards from our team members’ personal collections. To highlight upcoming DXpeditions, we’ll be displaying a few of our favorite cards along with […]

HAM Radio 101

Harold Cottam: The Wireless Operator Turned Hero Who Helped Save Lives on the Sinking Titanic

A happenstance hero of sorts, Harold Cottam is the radio operator who on a whim made contact with Jack Phillips, senior wireless operator aboard the Titanic, not knowing the ship […]

FEMA Logo
HAM Radio 101

EMCOMM: A Look at How ARES and FEMA are Structured

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is comprised of four levels: National, Section, District, and Local. The National level is run by the ARRL Field Services Manager, who maintains contact […]

HAM Radio 101

Ham Radio 101: Cross Cultural Communication Made Easy with Q-Signals

Q-signals are a system of radio shorthand originally derived from old-school telegraphy codes. They date back as far as the advent of wireless radio. Used frequently among hams, Q-signals provide […]

ham radio operator working from a Volkswagen beetle
HAM Radio 101

First Field Day for NØAX

Well, this is different! When you are just getting started in ham radio, this “Field Day” thing is a Big Mystery. Sometime in late winter, the club chatter starts up […]

HAM Radio 101

Video—FM Satellite Etiquette: Five Tips for Better Satellite Success

With interest in ham radio satellites at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever for both new and longtime amateurs to review best practices for operating the FM birds—one […]