2025

Wire vs. Vertical Antennas

Choosing Wire vs. Vertical Antennas is one of the most important decisions for amateur radio operators. Because each design offers unique benefits and limitations, understanding their differences helps you select…

Satellite Tracking Basics

Satellite tracking is an exciting part of amateur radio and space communications. Many satellites pass over your location every day, and some carry amateur radio payloads or weather instruments. To…

Geomagnetic Storms and Their Impact on HF

Geomagnetic storms are powerful space weather events that significantly influence HF radio communication. These storms occur when charged particles from the sun, known as solar wind, interact with Earth’s magnetic…

Skip Distance and Dead Zones

Learning skip distance and dead zones is essential for DX contacts. Skip distance is the minimum distance between a transmitting station and the point where a skywave signal returns to…

RIT Control: How To Use It

RIT control, or Receiver Incremental Tuning control, is an essential feature found on most modern ham radios. Because operators often encounter slight frequency mismatches during conversations, the RIT control allows…