Technical Articles

ham radio working at a portable station outdoors
Technical Articles

Low-Power Operating: How to Do More With Less

My Ham radio career began like many others. I got a used 100-watt rig, threw a dipole in a tree, and started making contacts. Then I got hooked on working […]

panadapter module for a ham radio
Technical Articles

How-To: Demonstration of Radio Analog’s Panadapter Module for Icom IC-7300

Think one of Icom’s most beloved transceivers, the IC-7300, couldn’t get any better? Think again. IC-7300 owners who have always wanted to view the rig’s panadapter in an easier-to-see format […]

collage of coaxial cable
Technical Articles

How to Make Your Coaxial Connectors and Cables Weather-Resistant

Moisture is the enemy of coaxial cable. Once water or condensation gets into your coax cable or connectors, it can cause problems such as corrosion and high SWR. Fortunately, you […]

antenna directivity diagram
Technical Articles

Why Upgrade to Extra?

So you’re a Technician class license holder? Congratulations on passing that exam! You can be proud—the public is almost completely unaware that Hams have to take an exam and are […]

ham radio operators on a boat
Technical Articles

Satellite Basics (Part 3): Upgrading to the Linear Satellites

It’s pretty amazing that with a dual-band HT and a relatively small antenna, Hams can communicate with each other via satellites orbiting overhead several times a day. But as good […]

collage of ham radio dummy loads
Technical Articles

A Quick Guide to Dummy Loads

In an RF system, a dummy load, also known as a “dummy antenna,” is a device that simulates an electrical load, allowing Hams to accurately adjust and test their transmitters […]

large icom ham radio transceiver
Technical Articles

Is Remote Control Ham Radio Operation for You?

You’ve been using remote controls almost all your life. Ask yourself—when was the last time you got out of your chair to change the channel on your TV? Maybe you’ve […]

ham radio operator on a hilltop
Technical Articles

Video: How to Combat 2-Meter Interference on a Hilltop

SOTABeams’ Richard, G3CWI, discusses how to identify and remedy 2-meter interference when operating from a Summits On The Air (SOTA) location. Will attaching a better antenna do the trick? Find […]

DX Engineering Maxi Core Balun
Technical Articles

Baluns vs. Impedance Transformers

There is a lot of confusion about baluns—where you need to use one, what the balun is supposed to accomplish, and even what a balun really is! The term “balun” […]

world map with night/day shown
Technical Articles

Guide to Low-Band DXing– When and Where

Most Hams start out DXing on the HF “high bands” of 20 through 10 meters. There are lots of stations active, the antennas are manageable in size and effective height, […]