Community
Links
Sites, clubs, and people worth your time
Ham radio is better when you’re plugged into a bigger community. Here are people, clubs, and sites I follow, and think you should know about too.
Worth a visit
Around the Hobby
Coffee and Ham RadiosHam radio talk over coffee. Gear, operating, and the hobby, kept casual.
TheSmokinApeAntenna builds and RF theory explained without the fluff. Also home of ApeScope, a free VNA analysis tool.
Ham Radio AdventuresAntenna builds, POTA and SOTA activations, and overlanding with ham radio.
CFARCoolidge Florence Amateur Radio Group. Weekly nets, field days, and monthly meetups for all skill levels.
Maricopa Amateur Radio AssociationAmateur Radio Club based out of Maricopa/Casa Grande
amateurradio.meHome of Amateur Radio Operators NC7C (Shane) and NI7C (Connie).
n7gt.comGreg Galka. Amateur Radio Operator from the Arizona Desert.
QSO Today PodcastLong running interview show featuring hams talking about their stations, projects, and how they got into the hobby.
Ham Radio Workbench PodcastBuilder focused show covering antennas, kits, test gear, and DIY projects.
Worth a visit
Gear & Shopping
Cup of QSOCoffee roasted with hams in mind, from a small operator run shop. Good gift idea for the ham in your life.
Ham Radio OutletOne of the largest ham radio retailers in the US, with stores nationwide and a deep online catalog.
DX EngineeringAntennas, towers, and RF gear with a reputation for build quality and solid technical support.
GigaPartsHam radio and electronics retailer carrying most major radio brands plus accessories and parts.
R&L ElectronicsFamily owned ham radio dealer in Ohio, good for gear, trade ins, and personal service.
Chameleon AntennaRugged, field portable HF antenna systems built for POTA, SOTA, and off grid operating.
ABR IndustriesCoax, connectors, and cable assemblies, including a builder tool for custom amateur radio cables.
MyAntennasEnd fed and multiband wire antennas built in house, popular for HF portable and home stations.
Worth a visit
Software & Logging
WSJT-XThe software behind FT8, FT4, JS8, and most weak signal digital modes. If you work digital, you probably run this.
N3FJPContest and everyday logging software with support for most major contests and award tracking.
Ham Radio DeluxeLogging, rig control, and digital modes in one suite, widely used for CAT control.
GridTrackerVisualizes FT8 and WSJT-X activity in real time, tracks grids, states, and countries worked.
NexusFree, open source all in one operating program combining decoding, logging, mapping, and propagation in a single app.
Worth a visit
Reference & Lookup
QRZ.comThe universal callsign database, bio host, and primary logbook sync destination for operators worldwide.
ARRLThe national association for amateur radio in the US, providing regulatory updates, band plans, news, and Logbook of the World access.
FCC ULSDirect access for US operators to manage licenses, renewals, and official administrative records.
eHam.netProduct reviews, user forums, and community discussions on gear, antennas, and operating practices.
HamStudy.orgFree practice exams and study tools for the Technician, General, and Extra class license tests.
Club LogDX logging and award tracking service, popular alongside QRZ and LoTW for confirming contacts.
Ham Radio PrepOnline courses and practice tests built to help new operators pass their license exam quickly.
eQSL.ccElectronic QSL card exchange, a common companion to LoTW and Club Log for confirming contacts.
WA7BNM Contest CalendarThe standard reference for what contests are running any given weekend.
Worth a visit
Propagation & Conditions
PSK ReporterReal time digital signal reception map showing exactly where FT8, JS8, and other digital signals are being heard globally.
Reverse Beacon NetworkAutomated network of software defined receivers listening to CW and digital modes to report signal strength and propagation in real time.
DXMaps.comReal time propagation maps covering HF, VHF, and UHF bands to track band openings and contacts.
SolarHamSolar flux, A index, K index, and solar flare monitoring for HF propagation conditions. Space Weather (spaceweather.com) is a good companion source.
DX SummitClassic DX cluster and spotting network for tracking rare and wanted stations in real time.
Worth a visit
Digital Modes & Voice Networks
RadioID.netThe registration portal for obtaining official DMR IDs required for digital voice modes on DMR, P25, and NXDN networks.
BrandMeister NetworkGlobal DMR network dashboard for tracking talkgroups, hotspots, and live audio streams.
TGIF NetworkAn alternative DMR network to BrandMeister, known for its friendly talkgroups and simple hotspot dashboard.
WinlinkGlobal radio email network. Essential resource for radio based email, emergency communications, and field operations.
MeshtasticOfficial site for the Meshtastic project, an open source LoRa based mesh networking protocol.
AREDNAmateur Radio Emergency Data Network. High speed mesh networking built for emergency and event communications.
QSO OneFree app that connects to AllStarLink, EchoLink, DMR, System Fusion, and M17 without any radio hardware.
Worth a visit
Repeater & Portable Operating
RepeaterBookThe premier community edited directory for finding local VHF/UHF repeaters worldwide.
myGMRS.comRepeater directory and forum built specifically for GMRS operators.
POTALive spotting board and logging tool for Parks on the Air activators and chasers.
WebSDRLive software defined radios connected to the internet, letting you listen to RF spectrum from receivers around the globe.
KiwiSDRAnother network of internet connected SDRs worldwide, great for checking propagation or listening in on a band before you transmit.
Know a great ham radio site, channel, or club I should add here? Reach out on the contact page.