Radio Articles, Antenna Builds & Ham Radio Guides

Can You Build a Working Ham Radio Antenna from Garage Junk

Two hams, 30 minutes, one box of garage junk. Can they make it work

New vs Used Ham Gear

New or used ham gear? Learn the trade-offs, inspection tips, and trusted places to buy without blowing your budget.

Minimum Gear to get Started for Ham Radio

Learn the minimum ham radio gear you actually need to get on the air fast.

How Far Can Ham Radio Really Talk Actual Range by Band and Setup

Discover real-world ham radio range from handhelds to HF base stations, with clear band-by-band breakdowns and upgrade tips.

How to make your first contact without sounding like a noob

Nervous about keying up? This HF and VHF guide gives you simple checklists, scripts, and etiquette for confident first QSOs.

Radio Propagation Basics

Learn how time, solar activity, and band choice decide whether your next HF contact is pure noise or pure magic.

Dipole vs Off-Center Fed Dipole

Two simple wires, two very different antennas, but which one actually works better for your station?

How to Build an Off-Center Fed Dipole (OCFD)

Transform a roll of wire into a dependable, all-band HF antenna with this straightforward guide to building an Off-Center Fed Dipole properly

How to Build a Delta Loop Antenna

A delta loop is a simple full-wave wire antenna that delivers low noise and strong HF performance.

The Rybakov Antenna

A simple, broadband vertical antenna using a 4:1 unun and a single wire radiator, the Rybakov delivers efficient multi-band HF performance with minimal setup and cost.

Building a Wi-Fi Controlled Remote Antenna Switch with ESP32

A simple ESP32-based Wi-Fi antenna switch lets you select between up to four antennas remotely using a 4-relay board and SO-239 connectors, all controlled from your phone’s web browser.

The End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) Antenna

The End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna is a compact, high-efficiency, multi-band wire antenna that delivers powerful HF performance with simple setup and no external tuner.

Standalone SSTV Decoder on a Pi Pico

Build a standalone SSTV decoder using a Raspberry Pi Pico that transforms radio signals into live images without the need for a computer

How Much Cranking Does It Actually Take to Power a Dead Radio

I automated a hand crank on an emergency radio to see how long it really takes to charge—and the 90-minute reality will shock anyone counting on crank power during a crisis.

How to Build a T2FD Antenna

How to build your own professional-grade T2FD antenna that delivers consistent performance across the entire HF spectrum.

Performance Z Arrays Two Element Phased Array Controller

What if you could instantly switch your antenna's directional pattern to grab that elusive DX station with just the flip of a switch?

Inside a Mobile Ham Shack

What do you get when a ham turns an old ambulance into a fully off-grid mobile command center?

Why You Need an AM Radio

When disaster strikes and cell networks fail, one technology remains steadfast in delivering critical information that could save your life - Primary Entry Point (PEP) AM radio stations.

Radioddity VB70-B Review – Is It Worth the Price?

The Radioddity VB70-B is a feature-packed 2m mobile radio with Bluetooth PTT, airband reception, FM radio, and built-in noise reduction—but is it worth the $200 price tag?

The Ultimate Guide to Emergency Radio Communications

When disaster strikes, your smartphone becomes a $1000 paperweight, but these radio solutions keep you connected when it matters most

I Built a Solar Power System for Winter Field Day… But Almost Made a HUGE Mistake!

I Almost Forgot This Critical Step When Setting Up Solar for Winter Field Day 2025!

How to use AI in your Ham Shack

Discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize your ham radio experience. Learn practical applications of AI for antenna building, troubleshooting, and radio operation.

Why the TIDRadio TD-H3 is the Ultimate Baofeng Upgrade!

Discover why the TIDRadio TD-H3 is the ultimate Baofeng upgrade. Packed with advanced features, it’s perfect for amateur radio enthusiasts looking for performance and convenience.

Radioddity CBL-561 Mobile Antenna 10 11 Meters

Discover the Radioddity CBL-561 Mobile Antenna for 10/11 meters, perfect for your mobile radio setup. Learn about its features, performance, and value for money.

Big Upgrades for MY ATU 100 Antenna Tuner

Discover the Radioddity CBL-561 Mobile Antenna for 10/11 meters, perfect for your mobile radio setup. Learn about its features, performance, and value for money.

Restoring Vintage Radios with the VEVOR Ultrasonic Cleaner

The VEVOR 10L Ultrasonic Cleaner makes restoring vintage radio parts and tools easy by efficiently removing grime, rust, and buildup with minimal effort.

20 Meter End Fed Half Wave Vertical Antenna

Learn about the 20 Meter End Fed Half Wave Vertical Antenna, its design, performance, and how it compares to traditional sloper antennas.

First Impressions of the Radioddity QT80 10 Meter Radio

Find out what makes it a solid option for 10m operation and beyond, including its build quality, features, and performance.

Review of the Radioddity HF-008 Portable Antenna 80M-6M

A detailed review of the Radioddity HF-008 portable antenna, covering its performance, build quality, and suitability for different setups.

How to Turn Your Fence into a Ham Radio Antenna!

Turn your fence into a functional ham radio antenna with simple materials. A perfect solution for those with space limitations or HOA restrictions.

Decoding NOAA Weather Satellite Images with WXtoImg and SDR#

Discover how to decode NOAA weather satellite images using WXtoImg and SDR#, enhancing your ability to monitor and analyze real-time weather data.

Top 5 Favorite SWL Antennas

Discover the top five shortwave listening antennas, each offering unique benefits to enhance your SWL experience.

Raddy RF 757 A Feature-Packed Multiband Receiver

The Raddy RF 757 is a versatile, feature-packed multiband receiver with impressive sound quality and reception, making it a great value at $95 for both casual listeners and radio enthusiasts.

How to Install and Use eQSL Creator by PA4R

This guide will walk you through the steps to create and send eQSL cards using the free Ham Tools software by PA4R.

Repainting a Yaesu FT-101 and Accessories

Repainting your Yaesu FT-101 and its accessories can give it a fresh, new look and extend its life. This guide will walk you through the process ensuring your radio looks as good as it performs.

LOG Antenna Building and Testing

Recently, I came across the Loop On Ground (LOG) antenna, which is a type of receive-only antenna that promises excellent performance and ease of construction. Intrigued by its potential, I decided to give it a try and see how it performs.

The Undying Charm of CB Radios

Despite the meteoric rise of smartphones and the internet, CB radios, much like the vinyl records and film cameras of the world, have found a way to remain relevant and cherished.

Installing KD2C HI-Z IF Tap Board

Not all transceivers are equipped with an IF output to support this feature. This is where the KD2C HI-Z IF Tap Board comes in handy.

Gutter Antenna The Ultimate Stealth

Are you looking for an antenna solution that won’t attract unwanted attention from your neighbors or violate your community’s antenna restrictions? Look no further than your own home’s gutter system.

Is AM Radio Dead

For decades, AM radio has been a familiar voice in our lives, broadcasting news, talk shows, and a wide variety of music genres. However, in recent years, the medium has been witnessing a decline in popularity and relevance.

Fixing WXtoIMG 301 Error

301 Moved Permanently error that prevents users from updating Keplers. If you’re encountering this error, don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step guide on fixing WXtoIMG 301 error.

DIY Passive Loop vs T2FD

Recently, I decided to compare a DIY Passive Loop to a Terminated Folded Dipole antenna to see how they performed against each other.

Pirate Radio, How to Listen on Shortwave

In this article, we will guide you through the process of tuning into pirates on shortwave

Is CB Radio Dead

Over time, CB radio lost its appeal, and it seemed like the hobby was dying out. But can FM bring it back?

Introduction to Beverage Antennas

Imagine a simple wire, stretched out across the landscape, capturing radio waves from the air. This is the essence of the Beverage antenna.

Kenwood TS-870 CAT Control

If you want to interface it with software such as Log4OM, you’ll need to use a CAT (computer-aided tuning) cable. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps for TS-870 CAT control using OMNI-RIG.

Restoring Vintage Equipment Guide to Initial Inspection and Power-up

Today, we’re diving into the world of Restoring Vintage Equipment. I’ll be taking you through my step-by-step process when I get a new piece of vintage gear in my workshop.

CB Radio Crucial Role in Emergencies

In a world dominated by smartphones and high-speed internet, the humble Citizens Band (CB) radio continues to stand tall

Decode Pagers with PDW

Pagers may seem like a technology from the past, but did you know that they are still being used today? In fact, depending on where you are, you may even be able to decode the messages being sent through them.

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