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We're taking smart people like you inside the third dimension of radio.

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Discover the World of Radio Communications

Basics of Radio Communications

Learn the Basics of Radio Communications

Enter a world that's been connecting people across continents for over a century. Discover how radios work, what frequencies mean, and more.

Gear Software and Radio Tools

Explore Gear, Software & Radio Tools

Learn about transceivers, antennas, software-defined radios, plus all the software that makes everything click. We tackle analog gear and digital setups.

Advanced Techniques

Master Advanced Techniques & Modes

Jump into digital modes, satellite operations, emergency comms, plus other advanced topics. Built for hams who are ready to push past conventional limits.

Getting Started with Ham Radio

Getting Started with Ham Radio: What You Need and What You Don't

Here's a sobering statistic: 70% of new ham radio operators abandon the hobby within their first year. Not because amateur radio lacks value, but because they bought the wrong gear, joined the wrong communities, or got overwhelmed by gatekeepers pushing expensive solutions to problems they don't have yet.

I've watched brilliant engineers blow $2,000 on HF rigs they never learned to use properly. I've seen people get paralyzed by analysis paralysis, researching antenna theory instead of making their first contact. The ham radio world is littered with good intentions and bad advice.

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How to Work a Satellite with a Handheld and Some Patience

How to Work a Satellite with a Handheld and Some Patience

Amateur radio satellites orbit overhead every day, carrying signals across continents with nothing more than a handheld radio and a directional antenna. Yet most hams never attempt satellite communication, assuming it requires NASA-level expertise or expensive tracking equipment. The reality? You can work satellites with gear you probably already own and about $100 in additional hardware.

Here's what changed my mind about satellite operations: watching a friend make contacts across three states using a $40 Baofeng and a homemade tape measure Yagi.

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Essential Radio Communications Resources

Tutorials

  • Ham Radio Crash Course - A weekly live show hosted by Josh Nass (KI6NAZ), covering gear, operating techniques, licensing, WRT, and more
  • ARRL Learning Programs - Lots of educational programs and services dedicated to new, experienced, and prospective amateur radio enthusiasts.
  • HamRadioPrep.com - Structured, video-driven license prep for Technician, General, & Extra with live Q&A options

Gear

  • Universal Radio - Iconic since 1942; sells new and used ham/shortwave equipment, as well as rare radio parts
  • Data Alliance - Hundreds of antennas, antenna cables and adapters for 5G, 4G, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, 900MHz, BLE, ZigBee, and more.
  • Shack-in-a-Box - Hand-Crafted Amateur Radio, Public Service, Commercial, Aviation, and EmComm Go Boxes and Solaris Solar Generators

Communities

  • r/amateurradio - The flagship subreddit with 320k members discussing everything from gear tips to on-air advice. Includes IRC/Discord links.
  • QRZ.com Forums - The largest ham forum with over 300K+ posts covering amateur radio news, videos, podcasts, blogs, contests, DXpeditions, Hamfest, and more.
  • Ham Radio Live Streaming (Facebook Group) - Members share live streams of their radio operations, demonstrating techniques, gear setups, etc. in real time

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Discover our free resources for beginners and advanced radio enthusiasts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is amateur (ham) radio? Who gets to use it?

Amateur radio represents a non-commercial service permitting licensed folks to communicate via radio frequencies for personal, educational, emergency reasons. Anyone can become a ham operator by passing licensing exams, which differ between countries.

Do I need licensing just to listen to radio signals?

No licensing is required for listening to amateur radio, public safety, or shortwave broadcasts. Transmitting on amateur frequencies without proper licensing is illegal across most regions. Always verify your local regulations.

What radio gear should beginners start with?

Most newcomers begin with handheld VHF/UHF transceivers (called HTs), which are affordable and work great for local communication. As your knowledge grows, you can advance to base stations, HF rigs, or software-defined radios (SDRs).

Can I use my computer or phone for radio communication?

Sure thing! With software-defined radios (SDRs) and software like WSJT or Fldigi, you can transmit and receive signals using a PC or smartphone - and sometimes even without using traditional radios, depending on mode.