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Inside DXZone
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Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2644
This week, we've gathered some practical resources that touch on several facets of our hobby, from getting a handle on software-defined radio setups to optimizing your antenna farm. There's a solid guide for those looking to deploy an OpenWebRX+ station, something that comes up often for remote monitoring or just general experimentation. We also have a look at a popular multiband HF antenna, the ZS6BKW, which continues to be a workhorse for many, especially in constrained spaces. For the low-band enthusiasts, a detailed build for a K9AY loop is included—a receiving antenna worth revisiting for its performance. And for those who like to keep an eye on propagation, a neat WSPR visualization tool is in the mix. These selections aim to provide actionable information for both the home station and portable operator.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2643
This week, we’ve pulled together a few items that touch on some perennial topics for the active amateur. There's a solid primer on antenna fundamentals, something that always bears revisiting, especially when troubleshooting a new portable setup or optimizing a home station. We also look at a couple of interesting software solutions, one for weak signal modes that runs right in your browser, and another that aims to be an all-in-one station control. For those operating in urban environments, we’ve included a piece on low-band receiving antennas, which can make a significant difference in pulling out those faint signals. And for the emergency communications folks, there's a detailed look at ARES/NIMS integration. Finally, a real-time satellite tracker rounds out the selection, useful for anyone chasing LEO birds.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2642
This week, we’ve pulled together a few items that touch on practical antenna builds and some of the perennial challenges in our hobby. There’s a good look at VHF/UHF Yagi construction, specifically the isolated element method, which can be quite useful for those looking to roll their own directional arrays for local work or satellite passes. We also have a portable 6-meter quad design that might just be the ticket for your next Field Day or VHF contest outing. For the HF crowd, there's a neat take on a 2-band Zeppelin dipole, something that comes up often when space is tight. And, because RFI is always lurking, we’ve included a solid guide on ferrites and baluns, along with a technical deep dive into balun theory and testing. Finally, a handy APRS network visualizer rounds out the selection, offering a different perspective on real-time tracking.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2641
This week, we’re looking at a few antenna projects that might spark some interest for those running VHF/UHF. There's a good bit on J-poles, specifically for 2 meters and dual-band operation, using everything from twin lead to copper pipe. We also have a solid 5/8-wavelength vertical build for 2 meters that avoids loading coils, which is always a plus for efficiency. Beyond the hardware, there's a handy utility for Windows users who need virtual serial ports—something that comes up often when integrating various logging or control software. And for those still honing their CW skills, or just curious, a browser-based Morse code decoder that works from images could be quite useful. These selections touch on practical builds and software tools that can enhance both home station and portable setups.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2640
This week, we've gathered some interesting material for those of you exploring beyond the usual HF fare. There's a good piece on current satellite operations, covering both LEO and GEO birds, which is always something worth revisiting as the constellations evolve. For the portable ops crowd, we’ve got a practical guide to POTA antennas, focusing on field-friendly designs. And if you're looking to get on 10 meters with a minimal footprint, there's a neat build for a vertical antenna using common hardware store parts. Plus, a rigid 6-meter Moxon construction that won't break the bank, and a look at a long-standing DX group.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2639
This week, we’ve pulled together a few items that touch on practical antenna work and some digital modes. There’s a good look at a multi-band portable dipole, something that comes up often for field day or SOTA ops, detailing a switching arrangement for 40 through 15 meters. We also have a piece on building and testing 50 MHz traps, comparing different capacitor types—useful for anyone experimenting with 6-meter antennas. For those running APRS, a comprehensive symbol table is included, which is always handy for interpreting what you see on the map. Finally, we’ve got a mention of open-source firmware for LoRa transceivers and a popular Android application for APRS tracking, both relevant for modern portable and mobile setups.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2637
This week, we're looking at some interesting developments in the LoRa space, particularly how it's being leveraged for amateur radio applications. We've got a few resources that touch on mesh networking, off-grid text messaging, and the integration of LoRa with APRS. For those experimenting with portable setups or considering resilient communication methods beyond traditional HF, these items offer practical insights. There's also a utility for managing virtual serial ports, something that comes up often when interfacing modern transceivers or microcontrollers with logging software or control applications. It’s a mix of hardware-adjacent firmware projects and mapping tools, all relevant for operators keen on digital modes and self-contained systems.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 2638
This week, we’re looking at some practical antenna builds and a handy reference for precise timing. For those operating on 70cm, there are a couple of interesting options: a UHF Double Bazooka Antenna Construction guide details building with RG213, something worth considering for fixed stations needing a clean pattern. Then, for the mobile crowd, especially those on two wheels, a Vertical J-Pole for motorcycle use offers a compact solution for 430-450 MHz. It’s a robust design, which is key when you’re out on the road. Finally, for anyone needing to calibrate their rigs or just curious about propagation, the HF Time Broadcasts and Time Signal Stations List is a solid resource. It’s always good to have those frequencies handy, whether for a quick check or more serious experimentation.
The DXZone
The DXZone is the largest human created and maintained library of web sites dedicated to Amateur Radio, currently lists 20.000+ links organized into 600+ categories and subcategories. Ham Radio operators review new sites every day since 1998, for potential inclusion in the Directory, and to evaluate the best place to list them.

