This week, we’ve gathered a few items that touch on station utility and antenna construction. There’s a look at a modern take on the station clock, something many of us rely on for DX work, along with a couple of resources for real-time propagation analysis—useful whether you’re chasing DX or just trying to understand band conditions better. We also found a practical build for a 30-meter delta loop, addressing some of the common challenges with that antenna type. For those still sending paper QSLs, there’s a handy utility to streamline label generation. Finally, a remote audio solution that might be of interest for those running a station from afar or experimenting with distributed operating setups. It’s a mixed bag, but each piece offers something to consider for improving your operating experience.
OpenHamClock is an open-source, web-based dashboard for amateur radio. It functions as a modern successor to the original HamClock, centralizing essential DX operations into one interface. Operators can deploy it locally on a Raspberry Pi or via the cloud.
DXLook is a free, web-based platform providing real-time insight into HF and VHF propagation. It aggregates live spots from various sources like PSK Reporter and WSPRnet, along with NOAA space-weather metrics. This tool helps operators understand current band conditions.
This resource details how to construct a 30-meter delta loop antenna. It focuses on achieving vertical polarization and omni-directional coverage. The guide also addresses common construction difficulties faced by amateur radio operators.
ADIF-to-QSL-label is a GitHub utility that generates print-ready PDF QSL labels from ADIF log files. It is optimized for Avery Zweckform 3664 labels and can accommodate up to four QSOs per label. The tool offers customization through its Python script.
Hamradio_copilot is an open-source tool designed for DXers and contesters. It provides real-time situational awareness by visualizing propagation trends. This helps operators quickly understand band and zone conditions without sifting through raw cluster data.
SKY Audio is a duplex remote audio software for Windows that enables two-way audio transmission between devices. It supports sending and receiving audio, along with PTT functionality. The freeware offers low audio latency and configurable connection settings for remote operation.
