Filter by Tag
Getting started with RTL-SDR: a $30 way into software-defined radio
An RTL-SDR dongle is the cheapest real entry point into software-defined radio, and it's a genuinely useful tool well beyond just listening.
Getting your first AREDN node on the air — a practical checklist
From picking hardware to joining the JFMDNA mesh — a practical walkthrough for getting your first AREDN node configured and connected.
Phil-Mont’s DENn net: a weekly digital education net worth checking into
The Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club runs a standing weekly net specifically focused on digital modes — exactly the kind of regular practice that makes a difference when it actually matters.
NVIS antennas: the EmComm case for low and horizontal
For regional EmComm traffic — 50 to 300 miles — a properly low dipole often outperforms a taller antenna, because of how NVIS propagation actually works.
Field Day 2026: go-kit and digital station plan
Building out a battery-powered digital station for Field Day, with an eye toward what would actually deploy for a real activation — not just a contest weekend.
Parks on the Air as low-stakes EmComm practice
POTA looks like a casual operating award program, but every activation is also a rehearsal for deploying a portable station fast, under real-world conditions.