Search results

The HamCall.net database offers a detailed listing of amateur radio callsign divisions, organized by prefix, which is crucial for DXers and contesters to quickly identify the geographical origin of a station. Each entry includes a specific callsign prefix, the total count of callsigns registered under that prefix, and the associated DXCC country or entity, such as "AL9Z 43203 USA" or "3AOH9MM 237 MONACO." This structured data allows operators to rapidly ascertain the DXCC entity for a given callsign, aiding in QSL verification and award tracking. This information is particularly useful for confirming rare DX entities during contests or for logging contacts for awards like DXCC. For example, an operator hearing a "3Y0C" callsign can immediately identify it as Bouvet Island, a highly sought-after entity. The inclusion of callsign counts provides a sense of the activity level within each prefix, which can be helpful for anticipating pile-ups or assessing the likelihood of making a contact. The data presented reflects a snapshot of the HamCall database, offering practical insights into global amateur radio demographics.

Macintosh shareware, contains the full pool of questions for each of the five exams, and creates sample tests that will vary each time you take them and it will grade your exam.

Aspiring radio amateurs in the United Kingdom preparing for their licensing examinations can utilize this resource, which offers mock exam questions covering the Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced license levels. The site provides access to question pools, including associated images, designed for use with _Moodle_ learning management systems requiring PHP and MySQL. These question sets are available for non-commercial deployment by UK amateur radio clubs and organizations, facilitating local training initiatives. The original online mock test service ceased operations in August 2018 due to maintenance overhead. The current iteration serves as a repository, allowing other organizations to download the question databases. This approach enables broader access to the exam preparation material, supporting the UK amateur radio community in achieving licensing qualifications. The resource does not offer direct online testing but directs users to other sites, such as _Radio Tutor_, that implement these question banks.

Compiles a detailed calendar of RTTY contests, providing essential information for digital mode enthusiasts. It lists contest dates, links to official rules, and often includes historical results and records, enabling operators to plan their contesting schedule and review past performances. The resource covers a wide array of RTTY events, from major international contests like the _ARRL RTTY Roundup_ and _CQ WW RTTY_ to smaller, regional competitions. Operators can quickly identify upcoming RTTY contests, review specific rules for each event, and access historical data to gauge competition levels. For example, the site details the _BARTG RTTY Sprint_ and the _SARTG New Years_ contest, offering a centralized hub for RTTY contesting information. This resource is particularly useful for those aiming to improve their digital contesting skills or track their progress against established **records**.

Operating as a local amateur radio club, the Wireless Association of South Hills (WASH) provides a community hub for hams in the Pittsburgh, PA area, identified by the N3SH callsign. The club engages in a range of activities including the Annual Field Day, the PA QSO Party, and a 2 Meter Contest, fostering participation in various aspects of the hobby. WASH also supports local ARES/RACES efforts, highlighting the critical role of amateur radio in emergency communications during disasters, and facilitates ARRL/VEC exam sessions for new licensees. Beyond contests and emergency preparedness, WASH hosts club picnics and an annual hamfest, promoting social interaction among members. The club maintains VHF/UHF repeaters, which are essential for local communication and extending range for members. Regular activities include a Monday evening WASH NET at 8:00 PM, providing a consistent on-air gathering point. The club's focus on both recreational and public service aspects of amateur radio, from making new friends to providing vital disaster communications, underscores its comprehensive approach to the hobby.

The **HamRacer** voice keyer, a Windows-based application, is showcased in this video, illustrating its utility for radio amateurs participating in SSB contests. It functions as a synthesized PC-based voice keyer, specifically designed for HF and VHF SSB contest operations, allowing operators to transmit pre-recorded or text-to-speech generated messages during rapid-fire exchanges. The demonstration includes actual recorded QSO examples from a contest, featuring contacts with stations such as SP6OWA, S57O, OK1IEI, 9A1DL, OE1PAB, OK1GTH, and 9A1E. These examples highlight the software's practical application in a live contesting environment, demonstrating how it facilitates contest participation for operators who might otherwise face challenges with traditional voice keying. The resource provides a direct look at the software in action, emphasizing its role in promoting inclusivity within the amateur radio contesting community. It details the use of Windows SAPI for speech synthesis, a core component of HamRacer's functionality.

PalmVE is a program for Palm based handheld computers that is built to aid as a virtual volunteer examiner for amateur radio written tests

The No-Nonsense Extra Class License Study Guide (for tests given between July 2016 and June 2020) This is the study guide you want if you want to pass the Extra Class exam

The P4 Aruba Callbook, last updated in 2010, serves as a directory for amateur radio operators active from the Caribbean island of Aruba. It meticulously categorizes P4 callsigns into several types: **P41-** for special resident calls valid for one month, **P43-** for permanent resident calls renewable annually, **P49-** for permanent visitor calls also renewable annually, and **P40-** for temporary visitor calls valid for one month, often used in contests. The resource notes that obtaining a permanent visitor callsign requires passing a local examination. The callbook lists numerous specific callsigns, including their QSL routes, operator names, and sometimes addresses or activation dates. For instance, P41A routes via P43A, and P40HQ was used by P43ARC via I2MQP for IARU contests. The entries include both active and Silent Key (SK) operators, with dates of passing where known, such as P43ADA (SK, Sep 2014) and P43JB (SK Jan 2012). This detailed listing assists DXers and contesters in verifying contacts and ensuring proper QSLing for Aruba operations.

The Cambridge University Wireless Society (CUWS) serves as the amateur radio society for students and staff at Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Universities, fostering interest and activity in two-way radio communication. It provides a platform for members to engage with various aspects of amateur radio, including operating, technical experimentation, and community building within the university environment. The society's activities typically encompass station operation, antenna construction, and participation in contests and DXing. As a university-affiliated club, CUWS offers practical experience in radio theory and application, often utilizing the club callsign _G6UW_. Members learn about different modes of operation, such as CW, SSB, and digital modes, and gain hands-on experience with transceivers and associated equipment. The society's focus includes preparing members for amateur radio licensing exams and promoting ethical operating practices. Participation in CUWS provides a foundation for future involvement in the broader amateur radio community.

The G5O Contest Group blog documents contest operations and related activities of the Stockport Radio Society. It covers various **HF** and **VHF** contests, providing insights into station setup, antenna configurations, and operational strategies employed during events. The content frequently includes post-contest analyses, discussing scores, propagation conditions, and technical challenges encountered. The blog entries detail specific contest participations, often featuring photographs of the operating environment and equipment used. It serves as a chronicle of the group's contesting history, offering practical examples of multi-operator station management and logistical planning for competitive amateur radio events. The group's focus on both local and international contests is evident through the range of events covered. Regular updates provide a continuous record of the group's engagement in the amateur radio contesting community.

The Poole Amateur Radio Society (G4PRS) conducts weekly meetings every Thursday from 19:30 to 22:00 at St Aldhelms Church Hall in Branksome, Poole. The society provides comprehensive training courses for all levels of amateur radio licensing, including Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced qualifications, supporting new entrants and experienced operators in their progression through the UK licensing structure. Members engage in diverse aspects of the hobby, fostering a vibrant community for local hams. Key activities include participation in various contests and events, reflecting a broad interest in radio communications. The society's commitment to education is evident through its structured _licence training_ programs, which prepare candidates for RCF examinations. The club maintains an active presence, with interests spanning general amateur radio operation, contests, and technical experimentation, as indicated by its historical association with figures like _Marconi_ and its support for events such as JOTA.

High Speed Multimedia (HSMM) radio, as introduced by John Champa, K8OCL, represents a significant advancement in amateur radio's digital capabilities, moving beyond traditional keyboard modes like packet radio. This initiative, driven by ARRL's Technology Task Force, focuses on developing high-speed digital radio networks capable of up to 20 megabits per second. HSMM primarily facilitates digital voice (DV) and digital video (ADV), enabling real-time video transmission from emergency scenes to an EOC without expensive ATV gear, often requiring only a laptop, a PCMCIA card, a digital camera, and a small antenna. The working group's initial efforts concentrate on cultivating microwave skills within the amateur community to build and support portable and fixed high-speed radio-based local networking, or **RLANs**. These networks prove invaluable for RACES and ARES organizations, as well as homeland security and other emergency communications. Field Day exercises and simulated emergency tests (SETs) are encouraged to hone skills in rapid site surveys and deploying broadband HSMM microwave radio networks, with examples like linking Field Day logging stations or antenna test results at the Midwest VHF-UHF Society Picnic 2003. Getting started with HSMM often involves adapting off-the-shelf **IEEE 802.11** (WiFi) equipment to comply with amateur radio regulations, typically operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM bands. While consumer WiFi gear has range limitations under Part 15 rules, proper setup under amateur regulations can extend coverage significantly, with test networks like the Hinternet achieving 5-15 mile ranges at 54 M bit/s using small mast-mounted dish antennas. Careful selection of equipment with external antenna ports, high transmit power, and low receive sensitivity is crucial, along with using low-loss coaxial cable like LMR-400 for optimal performance at these frequencies.

Building an End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna from a kit, as detailed by Frank Bontenbal, PA2DKW, with process photos by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, offers a practical approach for hams. This specific kit, a collaboration between ARRL and HF Kits, targets 10, 15, 20, and 40 meters, making it a versatile option for HF operations. Unlike a center-fed dipole, the EFHW is a half-wavelength antenna fed at one end, which simplifies deployment, particularly for portable use. The construction guide meticulously outlines the assembly of the 49:1 impedance matching network, crucial for transforming the antenna's high impedance (around 2,500 Ohms) to a transceiver-friendly 50 Ohms. Steps include preparing the enclosure by drilling holes for the coaxial connector and antenna connections, followed by the precise winding of enameled copper wire onto a toroid to create the transformer. The guide emphasizes careful insulation removal and soldering for reliable connections. Final assembly involves integrating a 100 pF capacitor for higher band compensation, soldering the transformer's primary and secondary sides, and conducting SWR tests with a 2K7 resistor or a half-wavelength wire. The document also provides examples of wire lengths for different bands, such as 16 feet for 10 meters or 66 feet for 40 meters, demonstrating the transformer's adaptability for various half-wavelength configurations.

The Icom IC-9700 transceiver, a popular choice for VHF/UHF/1.2 GHz operations, gains enhanced remote control capabilities through Pycom Radio Controller. This software provides direct _CI-V based control_, enabling operators to manage frequency, mode, memories, and tones from a connected computer. It integrates a built-in rigctl server and supports popular satellite tools like Gpredict and SatPC32, facilitating full duplex Doppler control for satellite passes. Key features include real-time meters, a waterfall display, and remote RC-28 integration. Designed for practical amateur radio use, the application streamlines voice and digital satellite operations. It allows for full duplex remote Doppler control, crucial for maintaining accurate frequencies during satellite contacts. The software also incorporates callsign lookup and logging functions, alongside enhanced memory management. Documentation pages offer configuration guidance and operating examples, ensuring users can effectively set up and utilize the software for their satellite communication needs, potentially improving success rates for contacts and contests.

Examining the demographic shifts within amateur radio, particularly concerning **radiosport** participation, this resource analyzes survey data from the National Contest Journal (NCJ) and two regional ARRL surveys. It focuses on the relationship between age and engagement in contesting, presenting findings that suggest older amateur radio operators tend to participate in more contests annually. The author, a spatial demographer, details the methodology, including data consolidation, georeferencing, and statistical analysis performed in collaboration with Dr. Scott Wright K0MD, covering ARRL November Sweepstakes participants from 2000 to 2020. The analysis also addresses the limitations inherent in using voluntary response samples rather than random samples, which may influence the generalizability of the results. Furthermore, the resource investigates the preferred sources of contest information among different age groups, noting that older contesters frequently rely on traditional publications like the NCJ, while younger participants show a preference for online platforms. This demographic review provides insights into the evolving landscape of **amateur radio contesting** and the generational differences in information consumption.

The Olivia digital mode, a **Multi-Frequency Shift Keying (MFSK)** radioteletype protocol, is specifically engineered for robust communication under difficult propagation conditions on shortwave radio bands from 3 MHz to 30 MHz. Developed by Pawel Jalocha in 2003, Olivia signals can be decoded even when the noise amplitude exceeds the digital signal by over ten times, making it highly effective for transmitting ASCII characters across noisy channels with significant fading and propagation phasing. Early on-the-air tests by Fred OH/DK4ZC and Les VK2DSG on the Europe-Australia 20-meter path demonstrated intercontinental contacts with as little as one-watt RF power under favorable conditions. Common Olivia modes are designated as X/Y, where X represents the number of tones and Y is the bandwidth in Hertz, with examples including 8/250, 16/500, and 32/1000. The resource clarifies that Olivia, unlike some other digital modes, produces a constant envelope, allowing RF power amplifiers to achieve greater conversion efficiencies and making it less prone to non-linearity. Operators are advised that **Automatic Level Control (ALC)** can be set higher than no meter movement for MFSK modulation, as long as it's not driven past its high limit, contrary to common misinformation about other digital modes. The Olivia community encourages voluntary channelization on suggested calling frequencies, such as 14.0725 MHz for 8/250, to facilitate initial contacts, especially for signals below the noise floor. The Olivia Digital DXers Club provides links to Groups.io, Facebook, and Discord for community engagement and offers details on QSO parties.

A modern, free online study tool for US amateur radio exams. It provides current NCVEC question pools for all license classes (Technician, General, and Extra). Features include a smart practice mode that tracks your weak areas and provides detailed explanations to help you pass faster.

AA9PW offers free practice exams for all three US license classes plus international licenses like Canadian and Australian. The site generates random tests from the current question pools, simulating the actual exam experience. You can choose between online exams or printable PDF versions for offline study. The site maintains a simple, no-frills interface that loads quickly even on slow connections. Practice tests provide immediate feedback with score reports highlighting areas needing improvement.

Ham Exam provides adaptive practice tests that adjust difficulty based on your performance. The site offers all current question pools and calculates your probability of passing the actual exam based on your practice results. It includes detailed explanations for each answer and tracks your progress across specific subelements of the exam. The clean, distraction-free interface makes it easy to focus on studying, and no registration is required to use the basic features.

VE2AZX's 2013 Radio Talk presentation details the technical aspects of baluns, including reasons for their use, various types, and methods for performance verification using an SWR analyzer. The document specifically examines 1:1 voltage baluns and 4:1 voltage baluns, outlining their winding configurations and typical impedance transformations. It presents empirical SWR measurements for W2AU 1:1 baluns and Unadilla 4:1 baluns, tested with both 50-ohm and 200-ohm resistive loads across the HF spectrum. The presentation further explores the measurement of ferrite impedance and their application in mitigating common-mode currents on feeders and household conductors. Key concepts addressed include balanced-to-unbalanced transformation, ensuring feeder independence from the antenna, and reducing unwanted feeder radiation. The content emphasizes practical testing procedures to ensure optimal antenna system performance and minimize RF interference. Discussions also cover open-circuit tests with SWR analyzers and VNAs to assess winding inductance, distributed capacitance, and insulation quality. The presentation differentiates between voltage and current baluns, explaining how current baluns, particularly those utilizing ferrite cores, reduce outer shield currents without affecting internal coaxial cable currents, thereby preserving the antenna's intended radiation pattern.

The N5KWD website, maintained by David C. Taylor, presents a personal station page for an Extra Class amateur radio operator. It serves as a digital logbook and resource hub, offering insights into his on-air activities and technical pursuits. Visitors can find a **ham radio journal** detailing operating experiences, along with current news relevant to the amateur community. Beyond personal updates, the site incorporates practical tools such as online calculators for various radio applications and calendars for upcoming events like contests or hamfests. This blend of personal narrative and utility reflects a common approach among hams sharing their passion and knowledge. Furthermore, the platform showcases several **amateur radio projects**, providing details on construction, modifications, or experiments undertaken by N5KWD. This content appeals to those interested in homebrewing and technical aspects of the hobby, offering inspiration and practical examples.

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).