Author: Kris – KZ7K

  • Packet Radio: The Digital Mode That Started It All

    If you use APRS, Winlink, or AREDN, you’re already relying on packet radio, whether you realize it or not. It’s one of the oldest digital modes in the hobby, and it’s also one of the most quietly influential, since so much of what came after it borrowed from the protocol it introduced. AX.25, the protocol…

  • Choosing a Dual-Band vs Tri-Band Mobile Radio

    A dual-band mobile covers 2m and 70cm, which handles the overwhelming majority of what most hams actually do on VHF/UHF. A tri-band adds a third band, typically 1.25m (222 MHz), and the question is whether that third band is actually worth the extra cost and complexity for your situation. What dual-band covers 2 meters and…

  • FRS vs. GMRS vs. Ham Radio: Which License (If Any) Do You Need

    Three radio services, three very different rules. Here’s the plain-language breakdown of FRS, GMRS, and amateur radio, and how to figure out which one actually fits what you’re trying to do.

  • Cloud Logging Compared: QRZ Logbook, Club Log, and HAMRS

    Cloud-based logging keeps your contacts accessible from any device and syncs confirmations automatically. Here’s how QRZ Logbook, Club Log, and HAMRS actually compare.

  • Why a Single-Band Radio Isn’t Enough for SHTF, and Where Digital and Encryption Actually Fit

    One band and one mode is a fragile foundation for emergency communication. Here’s the case for multi-band, digital-capable gear, an honest look at where encryption is and isn’t legal, and what a MARS mod really does.

  • G90 CAT Control Setup with Ham Radio Deluxe

    Part of our The Xiegu G90: The Complete Guide. I run Ham Radio Deluxe on all my HF radios for logging and CAT control, and the G90 is no exception. It’s not quite as plug-and-play as my Icom or Yaesu radios, but it’s a solid connection once it’s set up correctly. What You Need A…

  • Wouxun UV-9G Review: Our Family’s GMRS Handheld

    Why the Wouxun UV-9G is our family’s go-to GMRS handheld: dual receive, real repeater range, and what to know before you buy one.

  • What Is Ham Radio Deluxe?

    Ham Radio Deluxe is an all-in-one software suite for controlling your radio, logging contacts, running digital modes, and more. Here is an overview.

  • Starting Your Own Ham Radio Club From Scratch

    Part of our Clubs and Nets guide. I’ve written before about what’s wrong with a lot of amateur radio clubs today, and about how to vet an existing one before joining. Sometimes the honest answer is that nothing local fits what you’re actually looking for, and starting your own is a genuinely realistic option. Start…

  • DRAWS and Other Digital Interface Boards: Alternatives to the Digirig

    I’ve written before about the Digirig as the interface I reach for on the FT-891 and G90 for digital modes, but it’s not the only option on the market. The DRAWS board and a handful of other interfaces take a different approach worth knowing about, especially if your setup goals go beyond a simple laptop-and-radio…

  • What Is WSJT-X?

    WSJT-X is the free software behind FT8 and other weak-signal digital modes. Here is what it does and why it changed ham radio.

  • The Reality of Off-Grid Mesh Comms: Meshtastic, LoRa, and Why the Hype Outpaces Reality

    Meshtastic and LoRa mesh networks get hyped online as an unbreakable off-grid comms solution. Here’s an honest, technical look at where the hype outpaces the current reality.

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