Recently, I’ve been following some groundbreaking research suggesting that WSPRnet, the global network used by hams to log weak signal propagation reports, might have untapped potential as a passive radar tool. This revelation has taken on a particularly poignant dimension in the context of the ongoing search for Malaysia Airlines…
MeshCore has quietly arrived on the scene and if you’re interested in off-grid communications with inexpensive hardware, this might be just what you’re looking for. Launched just a couple of months ago, MeshCore is already generating buzz among amateur radio operators and open-source developers for its clean approach to decentralized…
Our beloved ham radio hobby has a rich history spanning over a century, driven by countless technological advancements and the ingenuity of operators worldwide. These innovations have not only shaped the way we communicate but have also influenced the development of global telecommunications. From spark-gap transmitters to advanced digital modes,…
Most amateur radio operators probably think of tracking an object on a map when they hear the term APRS but it’s a whole lot more than that. APRS is the Automated Packet Reporting System and it is a powerful tool for situational awareness, emergency communications, and seamless global messaging. I’ve…
If you’ve ever wanted to access the APRS network directly from your Windows workstation, PinPoint APRS is an incredible tool that lets you do just that. Whether you’re monitoring APRS traffic, sending position reports, or messaging with other stations, PinPoint gives you a full-featured APRS-IS gateway right from your desktop….
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…
