Interested in getting started with Digital Mobile Radio (DMR)? There are many options on the market that can get you on the air. DMR has exploded in popularity the past decade. Much of its popularity is thanks to cheap digital radios now available from Chinese manufacturers. Once upon a time you needed a $1200 radio…
Author: K0LWC
Colorado Severe Weather Watch Net Coming to SkyHub Link System
Featured photo taken by Stefan Klein, 2016 near Eads, CO. We’re excited to announce that the Colorado Severe Weather Watch net is coming to the SkyHubLink System. The Colorado Severe Weather Watch Net is dedicated to the discussion, forecasting and nowcasting of severe weather across Colorado and beyond. We believe in using all amateur radio…
5 Reasons Why FT8 Is Awesome For Ham Radio
FT8 has taken the ham radio hobby by storm. It’s probably one of the most hated operating modes by many operators. Not that they’re correct in their hate — but it’s just a fact. So…let’s shake things up a little by looking at history of FT8 and why it’s a fantastic mode for new ham…
German man arrested for directing air traffic with radio
The COVID-19 lockdown has us a little bored, and a little stir crazy. However, we all need to keep reality in check. This was not the case with a 32-year-old Berlin man who was arrested in the capital’s eastern Koepenick district this week on allegations he impersonated aviation officials. The man is said to have…
Ham Radio Prep: What You Need to Know
Are you interested in studying for your ham radio license? Maybe you’re already licensed and looking to upgrade. Either way, Ham Radio Prep is a study tool you should know about. Why you should care about my opinion I feel uniquely qualified to review ham radio study guides. I spent nearly five years on the…
KU2G and KN3X Jam 14.247 QSO
Opinion: All commentary in this post and video are my opinion of what occurred on 14.247 mhz on December 31, 2020. I had a very unfortunate run-in with two less-than-stellar ham radio operators on New Year’s Eve. James Duggins (KU2G) and Joseph Medley (KN3X) located in New Jersey are the offending operators lids. On December…
The one place on earth where radio signals are banned
December is a tough time of year for ham radio operators. Many struggle with neighbors wiping out HF reception with their LED-illuminated holiday decorations. But what if I told you there was a place that had no RFI. It’s not a dream. It’s called the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ). What is the National Radio…
Massive sunspot rotating towards Earth Thanksgiving weekend
Thanksgiving weekend is shaping up to be active on the High Frequency (HF) bands. It’s time to fire up your HF radio and log some new contacts thanks to the beginning of Solar Cycle 25 and sunspot AR2786 rotating towards earth. AR2786 is a sunspot twice the size of earth. It’s the first large sunspot…
Nearly 2000-mile record-setting contact on 433Mhz in South Atlantic
Propagation is a fun thing — especially when you’re talking thousands of miles on UHF! On October 16, 2020 a 1,950 mile contact was made on 433Mhz FM between the Island of St. Helena (U.K.) and Plumstead, South Africa. The two stations involved in the contact were Garry, ZD7GWM and Tom, ZS1TA in South Africa….
Hamshack Hotline: The ham radio “bat phone”
Hamshack Hotline (HH) is a dedicated Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) network that is free to amateur radio operators around the world. The goal of the Hamshack Hotline is not to replace the traffic that is carried over RF, but rather augment it when conditions are diminished or otherwise busy. You’ll find phones in personal ham shacks, EOCs,…