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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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AREDN Mesh Networking: Building a Ham Radio Internet
AREDN turns cheap off-the-shelf routers into a high-speed data network that runs entirely over ham radio frequencies, no internet required. Here is how the pieces fit together.
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Buying a Used HF Radio: A Model-Agnostic Buyer’s Checklist
A used HF radio can be a genuinely great value or a slow-motion money pit, and the difference usually comes down to how carefully you check it before handing over cash. This checklist applies regardless of which brand or model you’re looking at. Before you meet: research the model’s known issues Every radio model has…
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Choosing a Scanner for Situational Awareness During an Emergency
A scanner is input, not output. Here’s what it actually buys you, and why digital trunking makes this harder than it used to be.
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What Is PSK31? The Original Low-Power Digital Chat Mode
Long before FT8 took over the digital segments of every HF band, PSK31 was already doing keyboard-to-keyboard chat over weak, narrow signals. Released by Peter Martinez, G3PLX, in 1998, it’s still around today, and it’s worth understanding even if you never plan to make it your primary mode. How PSK31 actually works PSK31 uses phase-shift…
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Cross-Band Repeat: Extending Your Family Network’s Range With a Mobile Radio
A dual-band mobile can bridge two frequencies automatically, extending your family’s simplex range when the local repeater is down.