Category: Operating
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Gray Line Propagation and the Layers of the Ionosphere
The ionosphere is not one uniform layer bending signals back to earth. It is several, each behaving differently, and the boundary between day and night creates one of HF’s strangest propagation tricks.
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DXing 101: Working Rare Entities Without a Big Antenna Farm
You don’t need a tower and a beam to chase DX. Here’s how to actually start working rare countries with a modest station, and where your time is best spent.
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Split Digital Operating on the IC-7300 Mark II (No Dual Watch Needed)
The IC-7300 Mark II has no dual watch. Here is why FT8 split still works fine on its single receiver, and how to set it up in WSJT-X.
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VHF/UHF Contesting: Why Grid Squares Matter More Than You Think
VHF and UHF contesting runs on a completely different currency than HF: grid squares, not countries. Here’s how it works and why it rewards different skills.
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Is 20 Watts Enough? The G90 in the Current Solar Cycle
Part of our Xiegu G90: The Complete Guide. The most common question I get about the G90 is some version of “isn’t 20 watts too low.” Right now, honestly, no. But the answer depends on timing more than people realize, and it’s worth being straight about that instead of just saying “QRP works great” and…
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Contesting with the FT-891: Menu and Setup Tips for Faster Runs
How I set up the FT-891 for a contest weekend, from AGC and filter settings to logging integration through the Digirig DR-891.
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Choosing Your HF Band: NVIS for Regional Nets, and What Works for DX
NVIS and DX work want opposite things from your signal. Here’s which HF bands and antenna heights suit regional coverage versus chasing distant contacts.
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Running a Family Comms Drill: A Step-by-Step Script for Your First One
Announce it like a fire drill, not a pop quiz. Here’s an actual script for the first drill you run.
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Split Operating and Pileups: How DXpeditions Actually Work
Calling a DXpedition on their transmit frequency almost never works. Here’s how split operating and pileups actually function, and how to get through one.
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The Solar Cycle and How It Shapes HF Propagation
The sun runs on an 11-year cycle, and where we are in that cycle has a huge effect on how far your HF signals travel. Here is how it works.
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Cross-Training So More Than One Person Can Run Your Primary Radio
The licensed operator being the only one who knows the plan is a single point of failure wearing a call sign.
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POTA and SOTA: Taking Ham Radio Into the Field
Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air are two of the most popular activities in ham radio. Here is what they are, how to get started, and the apps and sites you will use.
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