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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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Ham Radio for Full-Time RVers and Travelers
Living full-time on the road changes what a ham radio setup actually needs to do. There’s no fixed antenna, no consistent local repeater, and no permanent QTH, which means the whole approach has to be built around flexibility rather than a dialed-in home station. Antennas that go up and come down easily A permanent tower…
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Assigning Radio Roles in a Multi-Generational Household
Not everyone in a multi-generational household needs the same radio or the same job. Here’s how to actually divide it up.
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QSLing and Awards 101: Paper Cards, LoTW, eQSL, and DXCC
A confirmed contact is only as good as the system that confirms it. Here is how paper QSLs, LoTW, and eQSL actually differ, and how awards like DXCC use them.
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What Frequencies Actually Belong on Your Family Comms Card
FRS, MURS, GMRS, and ham simplex, and which ones actually belong on a real family comms card.
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Different Antenna Configurations You Can Run With an EFHW
One end-fed half-wave wire can be deployed in a surprising number of shapes. Here are the common EFHW configurations and when to reach for each.
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Buying Used Ham Radio Gear: What to Check Before You Buy
The used market is one of the best ways into this hobby without spending full retail. It is also where a surprising number of bad batteries, cracked finals, and misaligned rigs end up. Here is what to actually check.
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Choosing an External Tuner for the FT-891: Why I Run the MFJ-939
The FT-891 has no internal tuner, so here’s why the MFJ-939 with the Yaesu adapter cable is the external tuner I actually reach for.