Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
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Saturday, July 11, 2026

• How to Fix the Technician License
  Once again, I am in the middle of teaching a Technician license class and I notice that some of the exam questions seem off target. I look at the exam through the lens of “what does a licensee need to know to get started at the Technician level?&…

• LHS Episode #622: The Weekender CXLI
  Hello and welcome back everyone! You’re joining us for episode 622 of Linux in the Ham Shack, the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! This week we’re bringing to you our 141st weekender, so you’ll hear about what we’ve been doing in our lives, along with our discussion centered around a random topic from our topic wheel and a quick trip through some hedonistic exploits! 73 de LHS Team

• Echoes of CW: A Signal Corps Tribute to Virginia L. Scott and the WAVES of WWII
  Looking at this historic photograph brings back a flood of memories from my own time in the Signal Corps. It shows WAVE operator Virginia L. Scott in March 1943, sitting in the Code Room of the U.S. Navy Radio School in Madison, Wisconsin. The photograph, catalogued in the National Archives as 80-G-431533, captures an ordinary […]

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 429
  Help us save MeshCore We’ve now started a crowd funding campaign, in an attempt to raise the required funds to continue the legal challenge. MeshCore QuadRF can spot drones and see WiFi through my wall A phased-array radio built around a Raspberry Pi 5 and an FPGA board with picosecond-level timing. It does advanced signal […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
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How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
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Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, July 4, 2026

• LHS Episode #621: OscarWatch
  Hello and welcome back everyone, and thanks for joining us for this episode! This is episode 621 of Linux in the Ham Shack, the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! This week we’re telling you about what we’ve been up to – along with looking at OscarWatch as our Featured Topic!

• K0NR BKG114
  There I was, minding my own business at Field Day, when I ended up in a conversation with The Matts (KF0RIG and KG0AT). They said something about being in the Brass Knuckle Gang, which I knew nothing about. One of the Matts said “it is kind of fu…

• The SARC Communicator: July – August 2026
  Welcome to The CommunicatorWelcome to the July-August 2026 issue of The Communicator. As summer hits its peak, this bumper edition is packed with the perfect blend of technical innovation, operating field reports, and rich radio history to keep you com…

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 428
  Empire State Building climbers force NYC FM and TV stations to backup antennas Following protocols, the broadcasters shifted to auxiliary setups for about an hour. RadioWorld ORI futureGEO HAMRADIO 2026 Workshop report Haifuraiya is a functional prototype digital regenerative multiplexing Amateur Radio satellite system, with superior voice quality and integrated voice, text, and data. ORI […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
Twitter / Facebook

How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, June 27, 2026

• Coast Guard Cutter Chelan: Biggest, Costliest Coast Guard Vessel of its Era
  Take a step back in time to November 26, 1928, and take a look at what was then described as the biggest and costliest Coast Guard vessel of its era. The photograph shows the state of the art radio room aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chelan. At the time this photo was taken, she […]

• RFI found and removed
  LED RFIWhere we live, I have a very quiet noise floor and have enjoyed it for years. Recently, however, while operating on 40 meters, I noticed an offending signal on the Icom IC-7610 waterfall display. The noise repeated approximately every 15 k…

• LHS Episode #620: Security Review
  Hello and welcome back everyone! This is episode 620 of Linux in the Ham Shack, the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! Thanks for joining us for this episode! This week we’re telling you about what we’ve been up to – along with taking a jaunt through some short topics in the world of Amateur Radio, Linux and Open Source! 73 de LHS Team

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 427
  This weekend is Field Day Field Day is Ham Radio’s open house. ARRL Field Day site locator Find a Field Day event near you. ARRL LinHT Rev B status What works, what broke, and why Rev C is next. Zero Retries Testing the new Tufteln Reel Antenna The antenna is built directly into the reel […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
Twitter / Facebook

How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, June 20, 2026

• Beyond the Sunspots: Understanding 10 Meter Propagation
  I have noticed a common theme regarding propagation on the 10 meter band. There is a wide perception that when the band goes quiet and worldwide DX dries up in June or July, the solar cycle must be diving such that the frequencies become useless. Having written the propagation column in CQ Amateur Radio magazine […]

• W5XX Goes Ball Peen Mode to Break the ARRL All-Time Record
  Malcolm W5XX on one of his towers On Monday evening (June 15th), I was honored to be the Emcee for the Vicksburg Amateur Radio Club’s surprise program. In a previous meeting there, Malcolm Keown W5XX mentioned that he had confirmed with ARRL that he broke the all-time record for the longest continuously elected Section Manger. […]

• Colorado QSO Party
  Here is a Press Release concerning the Colorado QSO Party. Like it says below, this is our chance to Activate The State. SOTA and POTA enthusiasts, there is a page specifically for you. Bob K0NR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alan Higbie – K0AV…

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 426
  The Remarkable, but Relatively Unsung Achievement of Integrating FreeDV RADE Into FlexRadio FreeDV RADE is a voice mode that is more spectrally efficient than Single Sideband (SSB) and it’s more reliable than SSB. Zero Retries ITU corporation acquires Ameritron and Mirage RF amplifier ITU acquires two additional premier Amateur Radio and communications brands from MFJ […]

Thank you for being an AmateurRadio.com reader and subscriber to the Amateur Radio Newsletter.

Do you like to write? Please consider submitting an article.

Matt W1MST
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editor
Twitter / Facebook

How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, June 13, 2026

• LHS Episode #619: The Weekender CXL
  Hello and welcome back everyone! This is episode 619 of Linux in the Ham Shack, and our 140th weekender, of the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! This week we’re sharing what we’ve been up to – along with with a random topic from our topic wheel and a quick trip through some hedonistic exploits! 73 de LHS Team

• Operating W1AW/0 on Pikes Peak
  In 2026, the ARRL is running a program to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States (America250). One part of this program is having designated hams activate W1AW (portable) in all 50 states. The operating is spread out over time, with a mas…

• Brain Health and Parks on the Air
  Got my N3ZN Single-Lever Paddle out of storage, along with most of my POTA station. Despite being homeless and living in the hotel for the last few months (see my personal story on my website), I am trying to keep my brain active and that includes Morse code practice. Why? Besides the health benefit, I […]

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 425
  Hamilton Auto FT8 Hear, call, exchange, complete, log — automatically. Hamilton QSO One Connect to AllStarLink and EchoLink from Windows or Android — no hardware, no soldering, no sysop headaches. More platforms coming soon. QSO One The Machine Learns to Listen The machine was doing something beyond my capability. It wasn’t just assisting me. It […]

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Matt W1MST
Managing Editor
editor
Twitter / Facebook

How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, June 6, 2026

• What was your first major receiver?
  I started in the ham radio and shortwave listening hobby in 1972. By 1975, this was my first real receiver. It heard very well, and ignited my lifelong passion for radio. This old radio, the R-366/TRR-5, which is clearly identified on the faceplate in this picture of the military rig, had great ears. It was […]

• LHS Episode #618: Andy Stewart KB1OIQ – Andy’s Ham Radio Linux
  Hello and welcome back everyone! This is episode 618 of Linux in the Ham Shack, the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! This week we’re telling you about what we’ve been up to – along with talking to Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, about Andy’s Ham Radio Linux! 73 de LHS Team

• CQ WW WPX CW results
  This CQ WW WPX contest was my first major contest in a few years, as we are usually away on vacation and I end up missing it.This year, my best bands were 20m during the daytime and early evening, before moving over to 40m later in the evening. O…

• Select Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 424
  Radio Amateur Delay-tolerant Interplanetary Networking Testbed RADIANT brings Delay-Tolerant Networking to Amateur Radio, enabling store-and-forward messaging across disrupted links from terrestrial ground stations to Low Earth Orbit. AMSAT-UK Iconic aprs.fi app finally lands on Android It is the gold standard for tracking callsigns, checking weather telemetry, and visualizing packet paths. Hamradio.my Breaking the CEPT barrier […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
Twitter / Facebook

How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, May 30, 2026

• Senator Ted Cruz Highlights Amateur Radio Public Service (Memorial Weekend 2026)
  Senator Ted Cruz, in this pre-Memorial-Day message, thanks amateur (ham) radio volunteers who serve the public through emergency communications, readiness to meet public communications needs, and are ever-ready technical assets. Senator Ted Cruz Highlights Amateur Radio Public Service (Memorial Weekend 2026) Sen. Cruz highlights the role these amateur radio FCC-licensed volunteers have in providing essential […]

• CQ WW WPX CW contest outlook
  I have been running my WSPR desktop unit for almost 24 hours to get a better feel for band conditions ahead of this weekend’s CQ WW WPX contest. The bands I focused on were 10m, 15m, 20m, and 40m, using my Hustler 4BTV antenna. The result…

• ICQPodcast Episode 484 – New Lead Free Solder
  In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode’s feature is New Lead Free Solder.

  We would like to thank our and monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit – http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

  • Senator Ted Cruz Praises Amateur Radio Volunteers for Emergency Preparedness
  • Project Pursues Mysteries of Sporadic E-Skip
  • Open-Source Software Modem Called a Vara Replacement
  • ARISS Announces Plans for Moon-Based Ham Radio
  • Helping Girl Guides Earn Licenses in the Caribbean
  • Alamogordo Hamfest Turns 40 This September
  • Student Joins South Georgia Island Dxpedition Team
  • Turn Your Android Phone into a Modern Ham Radio Transceiver
  • Icom UK and Icom America Partner to Sponsor WRTC 2026

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 423
  Free Field Day CW training and practice The Long Island CW Club (LICW) is pleased to offer focused Field Day CW training during the month of June. These sessions are open to all Amateur Radio operators. LICW Tiles on the Air A fun radio sport for Hams that are active outdoors. Tiles on the Air […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
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How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, May 23, 2026

• ICQPodcast Episode 483 – Fault Finding
  In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode’s feature is Fault Finding…

• 2026 Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event
  During the Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event, amateur radio operators from around Colorado will be activating Summits On The Air (SOTA) peaks and communicating with other radio amateurs across the state and around the world. Join in on the fun duri…

• LHS Episode #617: Hamvention 2026 Adventure Complete
  Hello and welcome back everyone! This is episode 617 of Linux in the Ham Shack, the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! This week we’re telling you about what we’ve been up to in our private lives and giving you our wrap-up from Hamvention 2026! 73 de LHS Team

• South Monarch Ridge Photo
  In 2024, Joyce/K0JJW and I activated South Monarch Ridge (W0C/SP-058) on the Friday of the Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event. South Monarch Ridge (also known as Monarch Crest) is a fun summit, easy to access via a trail or via the tram (during the …

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Matt W1MST
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editor
Twitter / Facebook

How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, May 16, 2026

• Ham College 139
  Ham College episode 139 is now available for download. Technician Exam Questions Part 26 of 26 T0A – Power circuits and hazards: hazardous voltages, fuses and circuit breakers, grounding, electrical code compliance, Lightning protection; Battery safety. T0B – Antenna safety: tower safety and grounding, installing antennas, antenna supports. T0C – RF hazards: radiation exposure, proximity … Continue reading Ham College 139

• LHS Episode #616: Xenia Bound
  Hello and welcome back everyone! This is episode 616 of Linux in the Ham Shack, the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet! This week we’re telling you about what we’ve been up to – along with taking a jaunt through some short topics in the world of Amateur Radio, Linux and Open Source! 73 de LHS Team

• Adding peace of mind.
  My choice of boot drivesIn the past, when I downloaded and installed software updates, new software, or Windows updates, problems have occasionally occurred. I also like to experiment with Python scripts for automating my radio software, modifyin…

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 421
  Yaesu announces new DR-3X repeater (video) This new hardware offers 85 watts of VHF or 65 watts of UHF continuous duty, while incorporating advanced audio signal processing and an innovative interference evasion system for enhanced operational performance. Yaesu Icom announces ID-5200 and ID-5200D radios Touchscreen control. Dual receive. Wi-Fi. Bluetooth®. Advanced digital connectivity… and this […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
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How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA

Amateur Radio Weekly Newsletter

Ham radio news, commentary, giveaways, and more!
Celebrating 30 years of service – 1995-2025
Over 8,000 subscribers!
Unsubscribe

Saturday, May 9, 2026

• Across Lake Michigan on 146.52 MHz
  Here’s a post from way back in 2005. It falls into the category of “notable VHF contacts,” so I am reposting it here. Last July, my wife and I were walking along the beach on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Ludington State Park …

• LHS Episode #615: The Weekender CXXXIX
  It’s time for The Weekender! This is our departure into the world of hedonism, random topic excursions (well, not this time really), whimsy and (hopefully) knowledge. Thanks for listening and, if you happen to get a chance, feel free to call us or e-mail and send us some feedback. Tell us how we’re doing. We’d love to hear from you. 73 de The LHS Crew

• LHS Episode #615: The Weekender CXXXIX
  It’s time for The Weekender! This is our departure into the world of hedonism, random topic excursions (well, not this time really), whimsy and (hopefully) knowledge. Thanks for listening and, if you happen to get a chance, feel free to call us or e-mail and send us some feedback. Tell us how we’re doing. We’d love to hear from you. 73 de The LHS Crew

• Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 420
  The adventure begins in Xenia: Hamvention 2026 The world’s greatest Amateur Radio event returns to Ohio. W8CI Dayton Hamvention® 2026 offers forums for every Ham The Hamvention Forums Committee has assembled a diverse lineup covering technical topics, operating skills, and emerging interest areas. ARRL HamSCI at Hamvention 2026 – Schedule and map Hamvention is an […]

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Matt W1MST
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editor
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How to set up your own ham radio blog – Get started in less than 15 minutes

AmateurRadio.com
P.O. Box 45
Hampden ME 04444
USA