Ham radio enthusiasts can involve themselves in over 100 different activities that go way beyond simple communication. Most newcomers never find out that amateur radio operators bounce signals off the moon. They participate in competitive “fox hunts” to locate hidden transmitters and build their own high-performance radio kits. These kits operate at just 5 watts … Read more
I’ve been watching OpenGD77 firmware gain serious traction among ham radio operators lately. It’s not surprising – this custom firmware is turning into the first choice for folks looking to get more out of their DMR radios. With tutorial views numbering over 12,000, it’s clear I’m not the only one noticing the surge in popularity. … Read more
Ham radio contesting is one of my favorite aspects of the hobby. It turns regular amateur radio operation into a fast-paced competitive sport where operators try to make as many contacts as possible in a limited time. Some people call it radiosport, and I think that’s a pretty accurate description. These competitions have come a … Read more
I. Introduction Amateur radio, or “ham radio,” is a global hobby and critical emergency communication tool practiced by hundreds of thousands of licensed operators worldwide. But while the core principles of ham radio are shared across borders, the licensing systems, privileges, and regulatory bodies that govern the hobby vary widely. From the United States to … Read more
When you look at the history of radio, radio’s growth in America is nothing short of amazing. I’ve always been fascinated by how quickly Americans adopted this technology – jumping from just 60,000 radios in 1922 to a whopping 10 million by 1930. This has to be one of the fastest technology adoptions we’ve ever … Read more
Software defined radio, or SDR, really applies to a huge range of products ranging from cheap add-ons for your computer, all the way up to very expensive stand-alone radios with a massive feature set. In this article I will be concentrating on the former. Software defined radio might sound complex, but these little devices pack … Read more
When talking about the history of ham radio, we need to define ham radio first. Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a wireless communication service used by enthusiasts around the world to talk to each other and to send and receive messages. It has been around for over a century and there is … Read more
For many survivalists and preppers, communication is treated almost as an afterthought. They grab a cheap Baofeng and throw it in their backpack. How hard can a radio be to use? This guide will delve into the importance of radio communication in emergency and survival scenarios, the various types of radio communication devices, and how … Read more
Do you need a radio license? This question may be more complex than you might imagine. Then again, since radio frequencies and their use is managed by the government, maybe not 😉 I should start with a few disclaimers, the information I provide here is correct to the best of my knowledge for people in … Read more
As an amateur radio operator, I have always been fascinated with the way radio waves propagate through the air and how different factors can affect their transmission. In this article, I will be discussing the concept of radio propagation, its definition, and how it works. We will be exploring the different factors that affect it, … Read more