https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/ Ham radio news, articles and info on antennas, propagation, digital modes, FT8, contests, POTA, QSO logging, QSL cards and equipment reviews. en-us Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:02:01 +0000 https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-q-codes.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-q-codes.html Wed, 11 Nov 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Ham Radio Basics Ham radio Q codes: the complete list hams use on the air, what QSO, QSL, QTH, QRZ, QSY and QRT mean, plus 73, CQ and DX, on voice and CW <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-q-codes.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/arrl-sweepstakes-beginners-guide.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/arrl-sweepstakes-beginners-guide.html Fri, 06 Nov 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Contests, POTA & Events ARRL November Sweepstakes for beginners: 2026 dates, the exchange explained, scoring and sections, search and pounce, logging and submitting your log <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/arrl-sweepstakes-beginners-guide.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/welcome-to-qsl-shack-ham-radio-news.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/welcome-to-qsl-shack-ham-radio-news.html Sun, 01 Nov 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Ham Radio Basics QSL Shack social platform for ham radio enthusiasts, how it helps operators reduce time logging and improves the amateur radio experience <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/welcome-to-qsl-shack-ham-radio-news.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-make-your-first-ham-radio-contact.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-make-your-first-ham-radio-contact.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Ham Radio Basics How to make your first ham radio contact, step by step: repeaters, calling CQ on HF, what to say, phonetics, identifying and logging your first QSO <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-make-your-first-ham-radio-contact.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-get-a-ham-radio-license.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-get-a-ham-radio-license.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Licensing & Exam Prep How to get a ham radio license in 2026: the new 2026-2030 Technician question pool, studying, FRN, VE exam sessions, the $35 FCC fee and renewals <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-get-a-ham-radio-license.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-build-a-dipole-antenna.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-build-a-dipole-antenna.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Antennas & Tuners How to build a dipole antenna for HF: the 468/f length formula, band-by-band lengths, materials, baluns, height, inverted V and tuning for low SWR <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-build-a-dipole-antenna.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-base-station-setup.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-base-station-setup.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Base & Mobile Stations Ham radio base station setup guide: choosing a radio, 13.8V power supplies, feedline entry, grounding, bonding, lightning protection and RF noise <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-base-station-setup.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/hf-propagation-for-beginners.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/hf-propagation-for-beginners.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Propagation & Band Conditions HF propagation for beginners: the ionosphere, MUF, solar flux, A and K index, which bands open when, grey line and Solar Cycle 25 in late 2026 <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/hf-propagation-for-beginners.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-get-started-with-ft8.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-get-started-with-ft8.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Digital Modes & Software How to get started with FT8: equipment, WSJT-X setup, time sync, audio levels, FT8 frequencies, your first digital QSO and logging with ADIF <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-get-started-with-ft8.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/pota-for-beginners.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/pota-for-beginners.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Contests, POTA & Events Parks on the Air (POTA) for beginners: how to hunt activators from home, activation rules, a simple portable station, calling CQ POTA and uploading your log <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/pota-for-beginners.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/best-handheld-ham-radio-for-beginners.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/best-handheld-ham-radio-for-beginners.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Equipment Reviews Best handheld ham radio for beginners: features that matter, analog FM vs digital (DMR, D-STAR, System Fusion), popular first HTs and what to spend <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/best-handheld-ham-radio-for-beginners.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-use-logbook-of-the-world-lotw.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-use-logbook-of-the-world-lotw.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Logging & QSL Cards How to use Logbook of the World (LoTW): TQSL, callsign certificates and the postcard, station locations, uploading logs, confirmations and awards <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/how-to-use-logbook-of-the-world-lotw.html">Read the full article</a> https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-emergency-communications-ares.html https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-emergency-communications-ares.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Emergency Communications Ham radio emergency communications: ARES and RACES, how to join ARES, EC-001 and FEMA IS courses, nets, Winlink and building an emergency go-kit <a href="https://qslshack.com/ham_radio_news/posts/ham-radio-emergency-communications-ares.html">Read the full article</a>