Latest Amateur Radio News
Showing 20 articles.
Ham College 133
Ham College episode 133 is now available for download. Technician Exam Questions Part 20. T6C – Circuit diagrams: use of schematics, basic structure, Schematic symbols of basic components. T6D – Component functions: rectifiers, relays, voltage regulators, meters, indicators, integrated circuits, transformers, Resonant circuit, Shielding. This episode of Ham College (0:00-39:27) focuses on electrical diagrams and … <a href="http://www.amateurlogic.tv/blog/?p=1819" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Ham College 133</span></a>
The ARRL Solar Update
<p>Solar activity reached moderate levels with two M-class flares<br />earlier this week.<br /> <br />The first flares occurred on January 21 in regions 4345 and 4349.<br />Region 4345 continued to show development, as well as region 4342.<br />Region 4341 was a main contributor to the C-level activity of the<br />day, including a larger C-class flare on January 21. No<br />Earth-directed CMEs were observed in the available coronagraph<br />im...</p>
My You Can Think of the Darndest Things While in a Hospital Bed…
Listeners to the ICQ Podcast where I appear monthly as a Presenter probably heard me say that I was successfully treated for a highly aggressive prostate cancer (adenocarcinoma, Gleason 8) almost two years ago at the Mayo Clinic. While in Rochester for two weeks, I had a lot of time in bed recovering from the […]
Having Blog issues
  While taking part of my morning brew I noticed an issue with my blog. I have a list of the blogs that I follow and blogger calls it a blog list gadget. The little squares beside each of the blogs I follow is supposed to be a solid color and...
A Coastal Finale: Pedestrian Mobile POTA at Fort Fisher State Historic Site!
by Thomas (K4SWL) You might recall that during my recent field reports, I was on the coast of North Carolina with my family for a pre-Christmas winter vacation. We spent about a week based in Carolina Beach, and it was a truly wonderful trip. During that time, I managed to activate several parks, many of … <a href="https://qrper.com/2026/01/a-coastal-finale-pedestrian-mobile-pota-at-fort-fisher-state-historic-site/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">A Coastal Finale: Pedestrian Mobile POTA at Fort Fisher State Historic Site!</span> <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>
Now Shipping: the 2026 edition of The ARRL Repeater Directory® powered by RepeaterBook
<p><span>ARRL is excited to announce that the 2026 edition of<b> </b></span><i><span>The ARRL Repeater Directory</span></i><b><i><span>®</span></i></b><span> is once again powered by RepeaterBook, amateur radio’s worldwide repeater database. New for 2026, <i>The Repeater Directory </i>features a <b>City Quick Find Index</b>, making it faster and easier than ever to locate nearby repeaters.</span></p><p><span>“Each year <i>The ARRL Repeater Directory</i> continues to set the standard for trusted repeater infor...</span></p>
WR7D: A Football Championship and Some POTA!
by Ken (WR7D) A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I had the chance to go to the FCS Championship Football game in Nashville, TN. The reason we made the trek was because our daughter is in the marching band for Montana State. We try to go to every event where the marching band … <a href="https://qrper.com/2026/01/wr7d-a-football-championship-and-some-pota/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">WR7D: A Football Championship and Some POTA!</span> <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>
ARRL Honorary Vice President John Cadwallader Kanode, N4MM, Silent Key
<p>John Cadwallader Kanode, N4MM (SK), of Boyce, Virginia, passed away on January 13, 2026. He was 88 years old. First licensed in 1952, Kanode served on the Board of Directors of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio for 21 years, first as Roanoke Division Vice Director, then Director, and Vice President. He was a member of the ARRL Maxim Society (President Class), a Life Member, and wa...</p>
We do love imaginary stations and Ohio!
Greetings all SWLing Post community, Imaginary Stations bring you WLIS (We Love Imaginary Stations 2) through the ether this week via shortwaveradio.de on Saturday 25th January 2026 at 1200 hrs UTC. Then there’s the second transmission on Sunday 26th January 2026 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz and (the new time […]
Operating Notes: QRP signals, using the BK prosign, QSY protocol
Does it seem to you that low power (QRP) signals are more affected by fading (QSB) than higher power signals? It does to me. If any of you know what mechanism is producing this effect, please let me know. Speaking of QRP signals, I suggest that stations running QRP should follow the 3 x 3 […]
The Rybakov Antenna Gets a Serious Upgrade
<p>My first real exposure to the Rybakov antenna was back about two years ago. I was playing with the Chameleon URT-1 remote tuner and needed a portable vertical to demonstrate the tuner’s usefulness. I ended up combining the Chameleon 17 foot whip with the Chameleon MIL-EXT extension to create a 25 foot monster I dubbed […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.jpole-antenna.com/2026/01/21/the-rybakov-antenna-gets-a-serious-upgrade/">The Rybakov Antenna Gets a Serious Upgrade</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.jpole-antenna.com">KB9VBR Antennas</a>.</p>
Python script shutting down the station
 Next up is my Python script for shutting down my contest station. That probably makes it sound like I’m running some massive, high-end operation—but in reality, I just really like things to work smoothly. I find it incredibly handy to simply doub...
February 2026 Schedule Updates: From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update: From the Isle of Music February 2026 We are going to go “retro” this month and feature some lesser known but excellent Cuban fusion and dance bands from the 1970s and 1980s. Some listeners who only know the North American narrative about Cuban music […]
How Removing AM and FM from Cars Impacts the 12-Volt Ecosystem
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this CE Outlook article examining the trend of major automakers removing AM/FM radios from new vehicles and what it means for the 12-volt ecosystem. With AM/FM being increasingly omitted in favor of digital monthly subscriptions and mobile-connected audio services, this article explores the implications for […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio Exterior de España (January 19, 2026)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Exterior de España broadcast. Carlos notes: The death toll from the train collision in Spain has reached 40, Radio Exterior de España, 17715 kHz Click here to view on YouTube.
Vintage QRP with the Heathkit HW-8
by Matt (W6CSN) The Heathkit HW-8 has a certain mystique among QRP enthusiasts. This four-band direct conversion(D-C) solid-state transceiver, offered from 1976 through 1983 was hailed as a big improvement over its predecessor, the HW-7. While still a D-C receiver, the HW-8 mixed the VFO with crystal oscillators to derive the LO. This results in … <a href="https://qrper.com/2026/01/vintage-qrp-with-the-heathkit-hw-8/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Vintage QRP with the Heathkit HW-8</span> <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>
Video: W2AEW Shows How to Install a Mechanical Filter in the Yaesu FT-857D
Our friend Alan (W2AEW) has posted an excellent how-to video for those wishing to install a mechanical filter in the Yaesu FT-857D: Click here to view on YouTube.
KB2PIZ’s Serendipitous Activation of Jerome State Park (US-10516)
by Mark (KB2PIZ) Wow, the magic of Ham radio! As part of my work, I was driving from Tucson, Arizona, to Kanab, Utah. Route 179 passes right through Sedona, so my wife and I decided to take a 5-day mini vacation on the way to Kanab. During this trip, I previously activated Oracle State Park … <a href="https://qrper.com/2026/01/kb2pizs-serendipitous-activation-of-jerome-state-park-us-10516/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">KB2PIZ’s Serendipitous Activation of Jerome State Park (US-10516)</span> <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>
BBC Sunday Feature: Leo Sarkisian, The Music Man for Africa
Many thanks to SWLing Post friend and contributor David Goren, who produced this wonderful BBC Sunday Feature documentary, The Music Man for Africa. The program explores the remarkable life of Leo Sarkisian, the legendary Voice of America broadcaster who spent decades traveling across Africa (and beyond) with a massive tape recorder, documenting traditional music and […]
VOA Funds Included in Spending Bill
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this Radio World report on a proposed U.S. congressional spending bill that would include continued funding for the Voice of America and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The bipartisan proposal would allocate roughly $653 million to support VOA’s international broadcasting mission […]
