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The 52 Week Ham Radio Challenge offers hams a year-long series of 52 challenges to test and improve their skills. Created by Fabian Kurz, DJ5CW, this project includes bonus challenges that can be substituted for missed or failed tasks. The challenges cover a range of topics and activities related to ham radio operation, providing a fun and educational way for hams to enhance their knowledge and expertise. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced operator, this challenge is designed to engage and motivate ham radio enthusiasts throughout the year.

The H49A DXpedition to the Solomon Islands (OC-047, IOTA OC-047) is scheduled for a 13-day operational period, commencing on October 9th and concluding on October 21st, 2026. This **DXpedition** will feature a six-member team, including Rolando (9A3MR) as Team Leader, Zrinko (DK8ZZ/YT3ZZ), Mladen (9A2NA), Frane (9A3CJY), Kristijan (9A4WY), and Livio (9A7Y). Operations are planned across all **HF bands** and 6 meters, utilizing CW, SSB, and FT8 modes. This activity provides a significant opportunity for radio amateurs worldwide to log the Solomon Islands, a sought-after DXCC entity. The team aims to maximize contacts across various bands and modes, contributing to global DXCC and IOTA awards. Specific QSL routes and logistical details are anticipated to be published closer to the operational dates.

TX5EU 2026 DXpedition to Raivavae Island, **OC-114**, within the Austral Islands, providing a detailed account of the German/Dutch team's operations. The resource outlines the participation of operators such as DL2AWG Guenter, PA2KW Evert, and DK2AMM Ernoe, who engaged in CW, SSB, RTTY, and various digital modes. It documents the real-world challenges encountered, including significant equipment failures and antenna damage to 80/60m, 30m, and 10m verticals due to adverse storm conditions. The page offers timely news updates on the expedition's progress, noting repairs to a power amplifier's 10/12m bandpass filter, which enabled three stations to utilize amplification. Earlier reports highlighted power failures and the loss of multiple power amplifiers, necessitating one station to operate barefoot FT-8 with 100W. The team's persistent efforts to repair antennas as weather permits are also detailed, reflecting the dynamic nature of remote island operations.

The LICW Challenge is a daily event for ham radio operators, with special weekly on-air classes. It resets quarterly and covers bands from 160m to 2m, focusing on CW only. The event offers various point values based on member categories and bonus opportunities. Participants use specific calling frequencies and a CQ format to exchange information. Bonus points are awarded for specific criteria like contacts outside North America or special monthly members. The goal is to work as many LICW members as possible on different bands to earn points and bonuses.

This page provides a detailed instructions on how to setup the KX3 transceiver with the Win-Test software. How to configure the contest logging software Win-Test to be use with the Elecraft KX3 transceiver for CW. Using only the dedicated Elecraft KXUSB cable between the radio and the computer, enabling to send CAT commands and pre recorded CW messages with the F1 to F7 keys.

Presents the 4th edition of the IARU Region 1 Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur, a fully rewritten guide published in July 2026. It establishes a shared basis for respectful and effective communication within the amateur radio community, building upon over fifteen years of prior work. The document details the purposes of amateur radio, principles of non-interference, electromagnetic compatibility, and station safety. It specifies operating procedures, including listening practices, adherence to IARU and national band plans, appropriate transmission content, use of Q-codes, and the phonetic alphabet. The guide provides instructions for conducting QSOs across phone, CW, and various digital modes. Specific sections address managing pileups, participating in contesting, engaging in DX and DXpedition operations, operating portable or mobile, and conducting station testing. Further sections cover VHF and UHF operating considerations, ensuring a comprehensive resource for both experienced operators and those new to the hobby.

The Llanelli Amateur Radio Society (LARS) website details the club's offerings for both licensed operators and those new to amateur radio, including shortwave listeners and individuals pursuing Foundation, Intermediate, or Full licenses. It highlights opportunities to learn radio techniques, explore digital modes such as C4FM, D-Star, DMR, and FreeDV, and participate in contests and social events. The club aims to foster a supportive environment for experimentation and knowledge sharing among its members. Member testimonials illustrate practical applications, such as a new licensee making a 1000km contact via a repeater after being inspired by space exploration, and another quickly passing the RSGB Foundation exam. The site also features accounts of members progressing to Intermediate and Full licenses, with one Full license holder continuing to learn new modes like CW and digital, and engaging in activities like Parks on the Air (POTA).

Presents the NED International DX Group, a **CB radio** organization established in the Netherlands on August 23, 2026, by 19NED000 and 19NED001 Henricus. The group primarily operates on the **11-meter band**, utilizing various modes including FM, AM, LSB, USB, CW, FT8, FT4, FT2 Ross, and JS8, with all digital modes permitted. Membership is free and open to active operators and SWLs. Key operating frequencies include 27.405 LSB, 27.265 USB for FT8, and 27.245 USB for JS8. The group also maintains activity on PMR Channel 10 at 446.11875 MHz FM. The organization is actively seeking volunteers for roles such as webmaster (proficient in PHP, MySQL, and security), digital eQSL and paper QSL card management, logo and banner design, and country/province directors.

Presents the RI8KR RRA Island Hoppers DXpedition, detailing its schedule from August 21 to 28, 2026, and its objective to activate four new island groups in the Ob Bay of the Kara Sea. The expedition targets specific Russian River Club (RRC) references: RR-06-66 (Ob River Delta Islands West), RR-06-67 (Ob River Delta Islands North-West), RR-06-68 (Ob River Delta Islands North), and RR-06-69 (Ob River Delta Islands Center/North). Operators Vladimir, RK8A, and Igor, UA3EDQ, will operate on 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10-meter bands using CW, SSB, and potentially Digital modes. Three of these activations contribute to IOTA AS-109, an entity not activated since 2013. The page provides QSL information via RZ3EC (Eugene Shelkanovtsev, P.O. Box 70, Orel 302028) and online platforms including RRAWARD.RU, LoTW, RDAWARD.RU, and CFMRDA.RU. It lists supporters of the expedition, acknowledging contributions from various amateur radio operators. Recent updates confirm the purchase of airplane and boat tickets for the team's travel to Salekhard and Salemal/Panayevsk, indicating active preparation for the August 2026 operation.

Over 44,000 square kilometers of Scotland's natural beauty provide a unique backdrop for the _GMFF_ award program. Designed for amateur radio operators who thrive on portable operations, this program encourages activators to set up stations in designated flora and fauna areas. Participants engage in _SSB_ and _CW_ modes, making contacts from these scenic locations, which are part of the _WorldWide Flora and Fauna_ network. Activators and chasers alike benefit from the program's structure, which awards points for successful contacts. The _GMFF_ program is part of a larger global initiative, allowing operators to contribute to conservation awareness while enjoying their hobby. With a focus on environmental preservation, the program aligns amateur radio activities with ecological interests, promoting responsible and sustainable operating practices. The program's website provides resources for participants, including maps of designated areas and guidelines for operation. By participating, operators not only enjoy the challenge of portable operation but also support the conservation of natural habitats. The _GMFF_ program thus combines the thrill of amateur radio with a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Setting up a digital mode station for Radioteletype (RTTY) contesting requires careful integration of transceiver and logging software. This guide outlines the specific configuration for a Yaesu FTDX10 and N1MM Logger, focusing on settings relevant for the 2025 CQ WW RTTY contest. It covers digital mode setup within N1MM, mode control, and RTTY-specific parameters, including the use of the FTDX10's DATA-L or RTTY-L modes. Operational guidance includes leveraging the 300Hz CW roofing filter for enhanced adjacent signal rejection and proper MMTTY window resizing to ensure accurate FFT and XYScope displays. The author notes a consistent received signal offset of -1.5 kHz from the VFO frequency during operation. Specific software versions used are N1MM V1.0.10936.0, MMTTY 1.70, and various FTDX10 firmware versions. The document also mentions an unsuccessful attempt to integrate a WinKeyer USB (WKSMT, firmware 31.03) for FSK waveform generation, where N1MM could key the radio and 100W was measured, but no tones were observed on the FTDX10's scope displays.

Evaluating a new HF transceiver, AA4OO shares his initial operational impressions of the Yaesu FT-DX10, contrasting its physical design and performance against his prior experiences with the Elecraft KX3 and Ten-Tec Eagle. He notes the FT-DX10's superior fit and finish but finds the front panel controls, particularly the AF/RF knob, to be cramped, leading to accidental VFO shifts. The review details the radio's audio characteristics, describing acceptable SSB performance but "muddy" CW audio at 450Hz, which he attributes to cabinet acoustics, necessitating an external speaker for clearer CW reception. The author also discusses the effectiveness of the FT-DX10's Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) for CW, finding it significantly better than the NR on the Eagle or KX3. He appreciates the MPVD (Multi-Purpose-VFO-Outer-Dial) for reducing menu reliance during QSOs, a feature he finds more intuitive than the dual-use buttons on his Ten-Tec Eagle. However, he expresses disappointment with the noisy T/R relay during full QSK operation and a loud internal fan, which detracts from his preference for a quiet operating environment. Further observations include the 800x640 resolution of the external display connector, which he considers outdated, and the CW decode function, which he finds less practical than the KX3's due to its display of "paragraphs" of text rather than a quick assist. Despite these "nits," the review provides a balanced perspective on the FT-DX10's strengths and weaknesses from a seasoned CW operator's viewpoint, concluding that it's a "mixed bag" compared to his other rigs.

This resource provides a browser-based CAT controller, _Yaesu Web Control (YWC)_, designed for Yaesu HF transceivers. The software operates on a PC or Raspberry Pi, enabling remote control of transceiver functions including frequency, mode, and meter displays. It incorporates a live spectrum and waterfall display, supports CW and RTTY operation, and integrates DX spot reception. Voice control functionality is also implemented. The application is open-source and operates locally without requiring cloud services or user accounts. Specific design considerations include accessibility features for operators with partial sight, such as screen reader compatibility. The software includes components for `Controllers`, `Grammars`, `Models`, `Pages`, `Properties`, `Services`, `Tests`, and `Workers/Yaesu_Sdr_Worker`.

Evaluates the Yaesu FTDX10 receiver performance against an Elecraft K3 (serial #216) during the NAQP CW contest, specifically assessing weak signal reception adjacent to strong signals. Testing involved a 300 Hz bandwidth, Audio Peak Filter (APF) activation, 6 dB attenuation, and preamplifier deactivation to simulate challenging operating environments. The FTDX10's adjustable APF, offering NARR, MED, and WIDE settings, is directly compared to the K3's single APF setting. Observations highlight the FTDX10's superior suppression of a strong signal at X+100Hz, demonstrating less bleed-through into the passband compared to the K3, even with the K3's 500Hz roofing filter engaged. This indicates improved dynamic range and selectivity in the FTDX10's receiver architecture under high-intensity signal conditions. The analysis also briefly notes transmit T/R relay noise characteristics, providing a comprehensive, albeit concise, technical comparison of these two popular HF transceivers.

The Yaesu FTdx10 HF transceiver underwent comprehensive laboratory testing by Sherwood Engineering, with results documented on December 29, 2020. Key receiver performance metrics include IF bandwidth measurements at -6 dB and -60 dB for 2400 Hz and 500 Hz filters, showing ultimate rejection exceeding 100 dB and 105 dB respectively. Front-end selectivity and first IF rejection at 9005 kHz were measured at 91 dB. Receiver dynamic range, both with and without preamps, was consistently 107 dB at 20 kHz, 10 kHz, 5 kHz, and 2 kHz spacings without preamplification, and 106 dB with Preamp 1 at 20 kHz. Blocking performance reached 141 dB at 100 kHz offset with a 1uV signal. Phase noise was normalized across offsets from 2.5 kHz to 500 kHz, with a value of -145 dBc/Hz at 2.5 kHz and -155 dBc/Hz at 500 kHz. Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range (RMDR) peaked at 128 dB at 500 kHz spacing. Noise floor measurements for SSB and 500 Hz bandwidths at 14 MHz and 50.125 MHz showed -133 dBm with Preamp 2 at 14 MHz SSB. Sensitivity figures and S-meter accuracy were also documented, with one S unit equating to 3 dB from S3 to S9. Transmitter composite noise was measured at 100 watts and 30 watts, with values like -123 dBc/Hz at 2 kHz offset for 100 watts. Operational observations from the January 2021 CQWW 160m CW contest highlighted ergonomic issues, such as VFO knob placement and small buttons. A significant firmware limitation noted was the band scope and waterfall data being erased upon transmission, which severely reduces its utility for search and pounce operations.

The Yaesu FTDX10 MF/HF and 6-meter transceiver, a 100-watt rig, is designed to bring high-performance receiver architecture to the intermediate-price class. It offers continuous receive coverage from 30 kHz to 75 MHz and transmit capabilities across all amateur bands from 160 through 6 meters, including five preset CW and SSB channels on 60 meters. The transceiver supports AM, FM, SSB, CW, and digital modes, with integrated decoders for CW, RTTY, and PSK31, making it a versatile station for various operating preferences. Physically, the FTDX10 measures 3½ × 10½ × 10½ inches and weighs 13 pounds, requiring a 20–25 A DC power supply for full 100 W output. Its front panel features a 5-inch TFT color touchscreen and a large VFO knob, complemented by an SD memory card slot for recording audio and saving settings. Rear panel connectivity includes a single SO-239 antenna port, multiple USB ports for CAT control and peripherals, and DIN jacks for external digital mode hardware and linear amplifiers, though it lacks a dedicated low-noise receive antenna provision. ARRL Lab tests confirm excellent receiver performance, with blocking dynamic range exceeding 137 dB at 2 kHz spacing and robust IMD dynamic range figures. The hybrid receiver design incorporates selectable roofing filters at 500 Hz, 3 kHz, and 12 kHz, along with two preamplifiers and various attenuation levels, allowing operators to tailor reception characteristics to challenging band conditions. Transmitter performance is also rated very good, with low transmit phase noise.