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The Yaesu FTX-1: The Complete Guide
Every FTX-1 post on QSO Journey in one place: the overview, setup guides, field ops, digital modes, operating skills, and maintenance.
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Packing an FTX-1 Go-Bag: What I Actually Carry
My grab-and-go FTX-1 bag, built for showing up ready whether that’s an EmComm callout or a last-minute activation.
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What’s Wrong With Amateur Radio Clubs in 2026
Amateur radio sits at the intersection of electronics, software, emergency communications, and pure experimentation. So why do so many local clubs feel like they’re actively working to drive newcomers away?
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Weekly Nets Are Stuck in the Past, and They’re Not Preparing Anyone for SHTF
Most weekly nets have become a comfortable check-in ritual that teaches nothing and tests nothing. Here’s why that’s a problem for preparedness-minded hams.
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Where Are the Young Hams? Not at Your Club Meeting
Younger operators are all over radio. They’re just not at club meetings. My take on GMRS, mesh, unlicensed Baofengs, and what clubs need to change.
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How to Use AI to Program Your Ham Radio (With a Free CHIRP File)
I gave an AI assistant one plain-English prompt and got back a CHIRP-ready CSV with my local repeaters, calling frequencies, weather channels, and more. Here is the prompt, the file, and what you have to verify.
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What Is an HF NVIS Regional Net?
What an HF NVIS regional net is, why it beats a repeater net as a regional comms test, plus modes, antennas, radios, and four station builds.
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Slim Jim vs J-Pole: Which Roll-Up Antenna Wins
Part of our Building Your First Ham Radio Station guide. Both the Slim Jim and the classic J-Pole are popular roll-up wire antennas for VHF and UHF, and they get compared constantly since they share a similar half-wave design philosophy and a similar build process. What They Actually Have in Common Both are end-fed half-wave…
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Repeater Coordination Councils: What They Do and Why It Matters
Coordination is not legally required, but ignoring it is how repeater owners end up in years-long interference disputes.
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Understanding Reciprocal Callsigns: /W, /VE, and Portable Designators
Part of our Getting Licensed guide. Those slash-marked additions to a callsign, /W, /VE, /4, and similar, look cryptic to a new ham but follow a consistent, logical system once you understand what each type is communicating. Domestic Portable Designators: Operating From a Different Call Area US callsigns are tied to a specific call district…