On Dec. 11, 2024, the FCC voted to make an additional 1,200 MHz of spectrum in the 6GHz band (roughly from 5.925 to 7.125 GHz) available for unlicensed use. In practical terms, this more than doubles the amount of spectrum available for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed technologies. Before this ruling,…
If you’re serious about ham radio contesting or exchanging logs with other operators, mastering Cabrillo and ADIF formats is essential. These formats are the standard used for submitting contest entries and exchanging data between logging programs. While they serve different purposes, both require attention to detail to ensure your logs…
The world of amateur radio gives us lots of exciting opportunities to test our skills, connect with fellow operators, and play with our toys. One such event that stands out for its accessibility and inclusivity is the Winterheat Simplex Event. Designed with simplicity and community in mind, this contest has…
Winter Field Day is an annual event that challenges amateur radio operators to set up field stations in remote locations during the last full weekend of January. The upcoming Winter Field Day is scheduled for January 25th and 26th, 2025. Organized by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), the event…
HF propagation—the ability of high-frequency radio waves to travel long distances—relies on the complex interaction between solar activity and the Earth’s ionosphere. At the core of this process is solar flux, which drives ionization of the ionosphere and determines how effectively radio signals are reflected back to Earth. In this…
It’s always a nice surprise when I open a gift and find out that it’s something to do with my beloved ham radio hobby. It is super thoughtful when friends or family take the risk and buy something they may not know anything about just because it’s something they think…
With my recent move to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, I decided it was also time to upgrade to a Victron Energy SmartSolar charge controller. For two years, I had relied on a Renogy Rover 40A MPPT charge controller to keep a bank of flooded lead acid batteries healthy. It…
My Gear of Choice: Jump below to see What Gear Makes the Cut in my Ham Shack As a licensed ham, I rely on lithium iron phosphate or LiFePO4 batteries to keep my gear running 24 hours a day. In fact, I am continuously on backup power. I have utility…
One of the most valuable tools for ensuring clarity over noisy channels is the phonetic alphabet. This standardized system replaces potentially ambiguous letters with easily recognizable words. For instance, saying “Alpha” instead of “A” helps minimize confusion caused by static, poor connections, or accents. The phonetic alphabet currently used by…
Amateur radio has long been a fascinating hobby for technology enthusiasts and communicators worldwide. However, its potential as an educational tool is often overlooked. Now, by integrating ham radio and STEM education programs, educators are offering unique, hands-on learning opportunities that bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications. From understanding the…
