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It’s hard to believe that Dayton Hamvention®, May 15-17, 2026, is less than a month away!

At DX Engineering, getting ready for this annual celebration of everything amateur radio—only about three hours south of DX Engineering headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio—starts soon after we tear down our booths and say farewell to the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia.

Our first thought: What can we do to make next year’s event even more special for the thousands of amateur operators who attend?

Here’s a preview of what you can expect in 2026:

Contest University & Contest Dinner

The day before Hamvention kicks off, another event with a long history of helping hams thrive takes place only a short drive from Xenia—Contest University. It’s a full day of learning hosted by Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO, and a faculty of some of the most accomplished contesters on the planet.

Registration is still open. Click here and sign up now if you don’t want to miss out. The latest edition of this information-packed event will be Thursday, May 14, 7 am to 5 pm at the Hope Hotel on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio.

On Saturday, May 16, join operators from around the world for the 32nd Annual Dayton Contest Dinner. The dinner will take place at the Hope Hotel and feature keynote speaker Mark Haynes, M0DXR, the chairman of WRTC UK 2026. An Icom IC-7610 will be given away, and there will be a silent auction for a FlexRadio Aurora AU-510M Transceiver and Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier with KAT500 ATU. Monies raised will support WRTC 2026. Get your tickets today. 

To get an idea of why Contest University is not to be missed and to learn the origins of the very popular Dayton Contest Dinner, watch this video from DX Engineering media partner Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio:

Giving Back

You’ll feel good knowing that when you stop by the DX Engineering booths in Building 1 at the fairgrounds, you’re supporting a company that believes in giving back to the amateur radio community. In addition to sponsoring DXpeditions and contributing to youth operator programs, DX Engineering recently donated a fully equipped Hummer with an HF mobile station to the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA).

Pictured below is Tim, K3LR with DARA treasurer and Dayton Hamvention® spokesperson Michael Kalter, W8CI. As the host of Hamvention, DARA plays a vital role in bringing the ham radio community together each year. DX Engineering was honored to contribute to their ongoing effort and the future of amateur radio.

Here’s a video from Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio featuring W8CI that’s sure to get you excited about Hamvention 2026:

Make Eyeball QSOs with the DX Engineering Team

Once again, DX Engineering’s active hams, who have a combined 1,000-plus years of amateur radio experience, will be available from the moment gates open at 9 am on Friday until the final bell at 1 pm on Sunday. You won’t find a friendlier, more knowledgeable group of operators anywhere. Their goal: Help you find the exact gear you need for your station. You won’t get a sales pitch on purchasing equipment beyond your requirements—just honest, straightforward guidance on what’s best for you and your operating goals.

Bring your technical questions and be ready to swap stories about battling pileups! Our folks love to talk ham radio.

Get Your Hands on the Latest Equipment

Okay, this is why most of you traveled to southeast Ohio in the first place—and DX Engineering will not disappoint on this front. Because of DX Engineering’s proximity to Dayton Hamvention®, we’re able to bring truckloads of gear for you to view firsthand and purchase right from our booths. This includes the latest products from the more than 180 manufacturers carried by DX Engineering as well as DX Engineering branded gear, including both new products and longtime station essentials. Here are a few:

• NOMAD Telescopic Fiberglass Portable Masts
• Low-Power Portable Dipole and Winder Kits

• TWIG End-Fed Half-Wave QRP Antenna Feedpoint Kit

• ISO-PLUS Ethernet RF Filters

Check Out Our POTA/SOTA Area

DX Engineering will once again have an entire area devoted to portable operating, featuring the latest gear from manufacturers exclusively available through DX Engineering, such as REZ Antenna Systems.

Pick Up the Brand-New DX Engineering Catalog

Hot off the presses, the 140-page 2026 DX Engineering Amateur Radio Products Catalog will be available free at the show. The cover features members of the DX Engineering team going portable—your assurance that when you call us, you’ll be talking with hams who can help you assemble an effective station for all your POTA, SOTA, and IOTA activations. Plus, you’ll find:

• A full page devoted to FlexRadio transceivers and accessories
• Gear from other manufacturers now carried by DX Engineering, including Armoloq, Begali Keys, DX Launcher, Momobeam, Packtenna, PowerFilm, Sierra Radio Systems, Spooltenna, and others
• A Manufacturer Index that makes it easy to find the products you want
• Select products for outdoor activations highlighted with a “Go Portable” logo for easy reference

Take Home Some DX Engineering Swag

In addition to bringing along loads of gear for sale, DX Engineering will also have logo polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, umbrellas, tote bags, cinch bags, ball caps, sports bags, mugs, and more. DX Engineering apparel comes in both men’s and women’s styles from small to 4X-large. Know someone who couldn’t make the trip to Xenia? DX Engineering swag makes a nice way to say, “Hey, I was thinking about ya!”

The post DX Engineering Gearing Up for Dayton Hamvention® 2026! appeared first on OnAllBands.

Mic fright is very common. While it may be an impediment right off the bat, there are plenty of ways to overcome it. I have helped many new licensees at my school’s radio club get through their first contacts and even served as a third-party control operator to let non-hams make QSOs. Thanks to these experiences I have a few tips on how to put mic fright behind you and finally get on the air.

The first thing I would recommend is practicing the phonetic alphabet, particularly the letters that are in your call sign. Phonetic alphabet “fluency” is something that only comes with time, but saying all the words out loud a few times can help you feel more comfortable using them on the air. Using the phonetic alphabet can also feel a little odd by nature if you’re new to it, so practicing first can help it become more natural. We’ve made it a tradition at my school club to practice the phonetic alphabet a few times as a group before our first on-air events of the year, and it seems to dissolve some of the anxiety that comes with getting on the air for the first time.

Another strategy that may be helpful is listening for a while before you actually get on the air yourself. If you’re a Tech, find a repeater that has some activity on it and listen to the conversations for a while to familiarize yourself with the flow of a contact (or more accurately described for a repeater, the “flow of conversation”). Listening like this will also be helpful after you move on to the HF bands and start to operate in different events and contests.

The flow and typical exchanges are different depending on if you are trying to work a DX station, operate in a contest, or participate in a QSO party, so listening to find the rhythm is a skill you’ll probably use later. While listening, take note of any jargon or special terms you’re not familiar with to look up later. It may also help to print out a list of these terms (e.g., Q codes like QRZ, QRL, and QSY) or other hobby-specific abbreviations such as CW, YL, or OM so you can reference them quickly in the middle of a contact.

When preparing for your first contact, writing down the basics of a QSO before you are on the air can relieve anxiety as well. When I made my first contact, I scheduled it with my Elmer on our local repeater. I wrote down a script for myself since I had never made a contact on the air before and was nervous about remembering what to say. I later wrote a script for the new members of my school club to use when we got on the air so they would be more comfortable making contacts. The script shows what both parties will say. This way, the young operator not only knows exactly what they should tell the other station, but they can also infer what the other operator will say to them, which can be comforting as well.

Lastly, if you’re anxious about talking to a stranger for your first contact, you can schedule it with a friend or mentor, or you can check into a net. Scheduling it with someone you know can be a relief if you’re worried about it being awkward or not knowing what to say. Typically, when someone from the school club gets licensed, we make sure that either I or one of the other instructors can make their first contact to take the nerves away.

Checking into a net is also a good option since the format and rhythm of it is relatively easy to understand. You also won’t have to keep a whole conversation going. Nets are normally run in rounds, so you’ll probably only actually talk once or twice. Your contribution could be as simple as saying you wanted to give the net control (the person running the net) another check-in. Some nets or net control operators also have questions that they invite the whole group to answer about the weather, their equipment, or even what they did that day, so it’s unlikely you’ll be at a loss for words checking into a net.

While mic fright can seem like a huge hurdle, it can be overcome with a little determination and planning. The most important thing to remember is that even though it can be intimidating to get on the air for the first time (and maybe even a few after that!), amateur radio operators are all generally kind people who want to help you succeed and will be patient as you start to get on the air and use your call sign!

Editor’s Note: Making QSOs with dependable equipment can also be a way to build confidence when getting on the air. Find high-quality ham radio microphones from leading brands like Heil Sound, INRAD, Icom, and Yaesu at DX Engineering. Also watch this DX Engineering video explaining the types of microphones available for your station.

The post Youth Insights: Tips on Getting Over Mic Fright in Amateur Radio appeared first on OnAllBands.

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Here’s great news for you QRP fans out there! DX Engineering has a nice selection of new gear designed for amateur operators who prefer the challenge of doing more with less power during their POTA, SOTA, and other outdoor activations.

The DX Engineering team is looking forward to once again participating at Vendor Night during the 2026 edition of Four Days in May (May 14-17)—the annual gathering of QRP Amateur Radio Club International in Fairborn, Ohio. This will be the 30th anniversary of the event, which is always pulsing with high energy from the low-power enthusiasts who come from around the world to enjoy a full slate of activities and plenty of good fellowship.

More Ways to Go Low-Power Portable from DX Engineering

Here’s some of the new POTA- and SOTA-friendly QRP gear DX Engineering will have on display at Four Days in May. Want to order today? Check the links below for product availability.

TWIG End-Fed Half-Wave QRP Antenna Feedpoint Kit

This compact feedpoint kit is an essential component for building a QRP end-fed half-wave antenna system. Perfect for portable operations and outdoor activities, it simplifies setup while delivering reliable performance. The TWIG EFHW QRP Antenna Feedpoint Kit is rated for 25W SSB, 10W CW, and 5W digital, delivering an SWR of less than 2:1 without an antenna tuner.

The kit features a 49:1 transformer that matches the impedance of the user-supplied half-wave element wire to 50 ohms, ensuring compatibility with most QRP transceivers. The BNC female connector pairs easily with recommended coax cables. When the element wire is properly tuned, no external tuner is required, reducing the amount of gear you need to carry.

The kit includes a built-in quick connector designed for 24/26 AWG antenna wire. Two end insulators and clips are also provided, ensuring reliable strain relief and easy deployment in the field. No additional counterpoise wire is necessary; the coax cable serves that function when installed correctly. DX Engineering offers these recommended RG-174 orange coaxial cable assemblies with BNC connectors:

• DXE-174VDB025: 25 feet (between TWIG and optional low-power choke)
• DXE-174VDB035: 35 feet (between TWIG and optional low-power choke)
• DXE-174VDB003: 3 feet (between optional choke and QRP transceiver)

For best results, use optional 24/26 AWG wire such as Consolidated Wire CEW-VIZ24-YEL100, a high-visibility, PVC-insulated stranded copper wire.

A typical setup uses a sloper configuration, with the feedpoint about 6-7 feet above ground and the wire sloping upward to 25-30 feet. Adding an optional DX Engineering DXE-LPFC-BNC Feedline Choke at the transceiver end is suggested. While the antenna supports multiple configurations, wire length will vary based on installation.

DX Engineering TWIG QRP 1:1 Choke Balun

This QRP choke balun was engineered as the key component for building a low-power dipole antenna. It incorporates a 1:1 transformer to keep the feedline impedance of the half-wave element wire down to 50 ohms. The connector is a BNC female and matches up with the recommended coax and most QRP transceivers. When properly installed and the element wire is accurately tuned, the system can achieve an SWR below 2:1 without the need for an external antenna tuner. It’s rated for 25W SSB, 10W CW, and 5W digital. Kit comes with the TWIG QRP 1:1 Choke Balun, two insulators, and three clips.

DX Engineering TWIG QRP 9:1 UNUN

This UNUN matches a high-impedance, non-resonant end-fed/random wire antenna (33 to 84 feet long) to the 50-ohm unbalanced load required by amateur radio transceivers. The DXE TWIG-9-1 covers 1.8-30 MHz and is ideal for portable QRP or HOA-restricted antennas. Its BNC female connector mates with the recommended 35 to 50 feet of coax cable, which is used as the counterpoise. In some cases, an external wide range tuner may be needed. This UNUN may not provide a perfect 1:1 SWR on all bands without an additional tuner and may experience heating at higher power due to impedance mismatches.

Typically, 9:1 UNUNs are used for random wire, end-fed long wire, and inverted-L or sloper antennas.

DX Engineering TWIG QRP 4:1 Current Balun

This is designed to be used as the feedpoint of a very low-power off-center-fed dipole (OCF) antenna. The TWIG-4-1C incorporates a 4:1 transformer to convert the OCF antenna impedance of 200 ohms to the desired 50 ohms to match the coaxial cable feedline. It also has a 1:1 feedline choke to prevent current imbalance, detuning, and the addition of unwanted noise.

The connector is a BNC female and mates with the recommended coax and most QRP transceivers. When properly installed and the element wire is properly tuned, you should not need an external tuner. This current balun handles 25W on SSB, 10W on CW, and 5W on digital modes when the antenna SWR is less than 2:1, without the use of an antenna tuner.

DX Engineering HF QRP Bandpass Filters

Thesefilters are designed to confine both transmitted and received signals to one specific amateur band. They significantly reduce out‑of‑band noise, resulting in a noticeably lower noise floor and improved weak‑signal reception. Each filter features a sharp roll‑off just outside the band edges, providing exceptional rejection of adjacent‑band signals and maintaining maximum operating efficiency for QRP applications.

Offered for 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters, they install easily in line with the coax feedline using the BNC connectors provided on each end. With power ratings of 20W SSB and 5W digital, they are ideal for QRP enthusiasts participating in multi‑operator events such as Field Day, POTA, and SOTA.

DX Engineering TWIG Broadcast Interference Filter

This filter lets you improve the performance of your QRP POTA or SOTA station. Engineered specifically for low-power amateur radio applications, the compact module attenuates strong AM broadcast band signals below the 80-meter amateur band. By suppressing these out-of-band signals, the filter helps lower your receiver’s noise floor, resulting in cleaner, more reliable reception of weak signals.

The DXE TWIG BCFIL is equipped with BNC female connectors for quick, inline installation in the field. Ideal for portable, field, and low power fixed station use, it provides an effortless way to reduce unwanted broadcast interference without adding complexity to your station setup. Power is rated at a maximum of 20W PEP.

For more QRP gear, enter “QRP” at DXEngineering.com. You’ll find Par EndFedz® QRP End-Fed Half-Wave Antennas, Moonraker Whizz Whip and Whizz Loops, QRP reference books, transceivers like Yaesu’s FTX-1 Series, and much more.

The post New DX Engineering Gear for QRP Portable Ops: Antenna Feedpoint Kit, Baluns, UNUN & Filters appeared first on OnAllBands.

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For today’s OnAllBands post, we turn our attention to the excellent work of the youth-oriented S21WD DXpedition team. They made more than 73,000 SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8, and QO-100 Satellite QSOs during 12 days of activity from Char Kukri Mukri in the Bay of Bengal.

Despite technical and environmental challenges, the S21WD Next Generation DX Club exceeded its goal of 70,000 QSOs during the venture in late March. Here is a list of S21WD team members and their ages:

• Philipp, DK6SP, 28, lead
• Sven, DJ4MX, 23, co-lead
• Jamie, M0SDV, 25
• Leon, DL3ON, 21
• Anup, S21TV, 46, local logistics
• Apon, S21ABO, 23, local logistics

From the S21WD website:

“The team had the privilege to operate from Char Kukri Mukri, located in the very south of Bangladesh. Reaching this remote location required extensive logistics, including approximately 18 hours of travel one way within the country, using a combination of speedboat, tuk-tuk, cargo tricycle, ferry, and moped.

“A special thank you goes to Apon S21ABO and Anup S21TV for their outstanding involvement and commitment throughout the project. Their local support was essential for both preparation and execution.”

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One of around 700 islands in Bangladesh, 9.7-square-mile Char Kukri Mukri is home to the Char Kukri Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary. Its mangrove ecosystem supports more than 380 species of plants as well as a number of mammals, including the fishing cat and small-clawed otter.

Wondering what a tuk-tuk is? So were we. Also known as an auto-rickshaw, a tuk-tuk is a three-wheeled motorized vehicle mostly used as a taxi for short-distance transport in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its name derives from the sound of its two-stroke engine.

DX Engineering Helps Make It Happen

A proud supporter of youth-focused ham radio activities, DX Engineering provided a range of equipment used on Char Kukri Mukri, including:

• Icom IC-7300 HF Plus 50 MHz Transceivers

• Samlex 1235M Desktop Switching Power Supplies

• Icom IC-T10 VHF/UHF FM Handheld Transceivers

• Yaesu Data Interface Cables

The team also employed Yaesu FTDX10 Transceivers and ACOM 1200S and 500S amplifiers during the activation.

Watch Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO, interview members of the S21WD DXpedition team in the video below. Topics include their troubles with RFI, thankfully resolved issues with food poisoning, and what’s next for the talented Next Generation DX Club.

For a look at Bangladesh QSL cards collected by DX Engineering’s team of active operators over the years, click here.

The post Wrap-Up of the S21WD Next Generation DXpedition from Bangladesh (Video) appeared first on OnAllBands.

This article isn’t about spare batteries or backup radios, though those are good topics for another day. This time let’s focus on tips for staying safe in the field. A little preparation can make all the difference between a great activation and a horrible one.

Safety Begins Before You Leave Home

Good safety practices start before you ever leave the driveway. Take some time to plan your activation in your head. Ask yourself:

• Where will I park?
• Where will I set up my station?
• What do I know about the site?
• Are there overhead or underground utilities nearby?
• Are there hazards such as wildlife, insects, or difficult terrain?

Looking at satellite maps or park photos ahead of time can help you identify potential setup areas and avoid surprises when you arrive. For more information on this, refer to the OnAllBands article, “Mapping Resources for POTA.”

Insects & Other Small Hazards

Insects can turn a pleasant activation into a miserable one if you’re not prepared.

Ticks are more than just an annoyance. Anyone who has dealt with Lyme disease can tell you how serious they can be. Tick repellent and mosquito spray should be part of your standard field kit.

It takes just a moment to apply repellent before heading into tall grass or wooded areas, and it can save you a lot of trouble later.

Underground Utilities

Underground lines may also pose a risk.

Many parks contain buried electrical lines, irrigation systems, and water pipes. These may be marked by utility pull boxes or small ground enclosures. If you aren’t sure what it is, stay away! Also, if you’re not sure what might be beneath the ground, don’t drive stakes into the soil.

Nothing ruins an activation faster than driving a ground rod into a buried water or electrical line. Fortunately, there are good alternatives to ground stakes. Instead of pounding stakes into the ground, consider:

• Counterpoise radials
• “Magic carpet” style ground mats

These methods allow effective antenna setups without penetrating the soil and risking damage to buried infrastructure.

Tent stakes that only go a few inches into the soil for supporting small telescopic masts are usually okay, but it still pays to be aware of your surroundings.

Tree Safety

Trees are commonly used for supporting portable antennas, but they come with their own hazards.

First, not all parks allow antennas to be hoisted into trees. If you’re not sure, ask park staff or check the rules before doing so.

Second, you should always maintain a safe distance while raising antennas. Never stand directly beneath the limb you are working with when throwing a line or hoisting an antenna. Limbs can break unexpectedly, especially dead or weakened ones.

Falling branches, hidden insect nests, and unstable limbs can all create dangerous situations. Plan your antenna installation before you begin throwing lines.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

While operating, keep an eye on the environment around you. Be mindful of:

• Wildlife
• Other park visitors
• Children or pets approaching your antenna wires
• Changes in the weather

Again, we are sharing public lands with many other users, so it’s important to be courteous and mindful of how our stations and actions will affect others.

Safety First

A good rule to follow is simple: If something feels unsafe, stop and move to another location.

Remember—you’re setting up that antenna to enjoy amateur radio. Be safe at all times.

A little planning, situational awareness, and the right equipment will help ensure that your POTA activation ends with great contacts, not great emergency stories.

So, let’s get out there and activate something…safely!

The post POTA Safety: Planning for a Safe and Successful Ham Radio Activation appeared first on OnAllBands.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the September/October 2025 edition of “The Canadian Amateur” magazine and is being republished here with permission from the author, Jim Leslie, VE6JF.

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How do you know your new antenna works if you don’t measure it against your old one?

I pondered that question when I added a new receiving antenna system. I wanted to know if it was better or worse than my existing one. This article describes how I did it using Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR).

I live in a city suburb and the gradual increase in local QRN (manmade noise) over the years finally reached unacceptable levels so I decided to add a dedicated low-noise receive system to complement my transmit antenna.

This was built around the DX Engineering NCC-2 Receive Antenna phasing unit and a matching pair of DX Engineering Receive Short Element Active Vertical Antennas (DXE-RSEAV-1).

My main interest is Weak Signal CW (Continuous Wave), which is the use of Morse code transmissions in conditions where signal strength is extremely low, often below the noise floor. My focus was on improving my Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) particularly for 40 metres, which is my noisiest band. I also wanted to objectively measure the performance of the new system compared to my existing antenna.

To conduct this evaluation, I used a software suite called WSJT-X, developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT.

WSJT-X is widely used for weak-signal digital communication. It includes several modes designed for making reliable contacts under extreme conditions such as FT8, JT65 and WSPR. Each mode serves a
different purpose, but all are optimized for low power, low bandwidth transmissions that can be decoded even when signals are below the noise floor.

WSPR provides the ability to measure and evaluate receive (or transmit) performance. WSPR beacon stations around the world transmit 24 hours a day on most bands.

These stations can be received and the spots saved into an easily accessible global database. Combined with sophisticated but easy to use web tools, this provides the user with the ability to perform comprehensive analysis of station changes of any kind including new antennas, equipment, cabling or ground changes, or even antenna orientation.

This data is always available for retrieval at any later date and in the longer term provides the user with the ability to retrieve and compare changes to your station at any given time.

WSPR takes the guesswork out of antenna evaluation and with the new web tools to analyze and visualize results, measuring antenna performance is surprisingly very easy to do.

Test Setup for Antenna Comparison

Living on a small city lot, I have only had a single antenna for almost a decade. It is a carefully tuned Hustler 6BTV 6-Band HF Vertical Antenna with 68 radials, a high-quality DX Engineering current balun and good grounding. Combined with excellent low-loss UHF hardline, it has worked very well for me over the years.

Short of a tower and beam, I am satisfied that it is the best I can do in the limited space I have available.

To complement this, I installed a pair of DX Engineering RSEAV active receive-only vertical antennas along with an NCC-2 phasing unit which provides phasing and noise cancelling using two antennas.

The NCC-2 output was then connected to the RX antenna port of my TS-890. Next, I methodically started comparing relative receive performance between them and the 6BTV using WSPR to obtain
receive results of each.

When comparing two antennas, the most accuracy will result when signals are received from both antennas concurrently. This eliminates any short-term propagation changes skewing results. To do this, I configured my PC to run two instances of WSJT-X in WSPR mode as shown in Figure 1 and
Figure 2.

In one instance I connected it to my Kenwood TS-890 Transceiver and the new active verticals. In the other I connected it to an RSPdx-R2 SDR and the 6BTV.

Note: The SDRplay RSPdx-R2 is a single-tuner wideband full featured 14-bit SDR which covers the entire RF spectrum from 1 kHz to 2 GHz giving up to 10 MHz of spectrum visibility.

I then ran both instances of WSJT-X concurrently and collected WSPR data for extended periods, using the option to post my results to the WSPR database. Next, I used various web tools to do the heavy lifting to retrieve and analyze the wealth of information received.

I was able to investigate not only the number of stations received over a given period for each antenna, but also see the SNR of each, where they are located, direction, distance and so much more.

Gathering Data

Configuring two instances of WSJT-X each connected to its own antenna is done by creating two shortcuts to the application each with different targets (rig-name). For reporting purposes to the global WSPR database, it is necessary to add your call to one instance of WSJT-X and an alias to your call in the other instance.

For example, in my case, results were reported to the WSPR database as VE6JF on the receive verticals connected to my TS-890 (see Figure 1, above) and VE6JF/6 connected to my RSPdx-R2 SDR on the 6BTV (see Figure 2, above). I entered this on the “Settings”, “Reporting” tab in WSJT-X.

This naming convention lets me identify which data set belongs to which antenna. Don’t forget to enable reporting by checking the option “Upload Spots” on the main page in each instance. Following this, the WSPR spots you receive will then be uploaded to the WSPR database.

Note: For more detailed information on this method click here: Two Instances of WSJT-X Running Simultaneously with Two Radios Two Antennas

Data Analysis & Results

I used this WSPR comparison tool to query the WSPR database to view and analyze the data. This web application retrieves all columns in the database for the calls, band and time you select and then graphically shows how one antenna compares to the other.

While my main objective was SNR improvement, I decided to use “Spot Quality” (known as “SpotQ”) as my metric instead. This is a calculated number (always positive) that includes the SNR value of the spot received and directly represents how well a signal stands out from the noise.

While strictly not SNR alone, the SNR value received is included in the calculation and for my purposes it is a more granular and much better metric giving me a more complete measure of my overall system performance.

SpotQ represents the quality of any given spot using different transmit powers, distances and a normalized value of SNR. The formula is as follows:

SpotQ = (Distance(km)/Power(W)) * (SNR(dB)+35/35)

Distance/Power is straightforward. The value of 35 is used in the WSJT-X source code to set the minimum threshold for WSPR SNR Type 2 spots. By adding 35 and then dividing by 35 it ensures that the result will always be a number greater than 0.

The result, SpotQ, is a single, quantitative metric that allows for easier comparison of “how good” different WSPR spots are. If both my antennas hear the same transmitting station at the same exact time having identical k/W (kilometres per watt) and power levels, then the antenna with the lowest SNR (ie, highest SpotQ) that hears the station is the winner.

Figure 3 shows a graph of a 40 meter test and a comparison of SpotQ values reported for the 6BTV vs the new active verticals. The red trace represents the RSEAV verticals and the blue, the 6BTV.

The active verticals show a slight edge over the 6BTV and SpotQ results compare closely under quiet conditions. Later, testing performance under heavy QRN conditions will be described.

Digging a bit deeper beyond simple SNR measurements, I then examined my 40 meter results with another web tool, the Grafana Dashboard. This provides a 360-degree graphical view of reception (and more) for each antenna.

This is a different type of data view than in Figure 3 and can help a user decide on the best orientation and location for both receiving and transmit antennas.

In the example for 40 meters shown in Figure 4, I can see slightly improved coverage in the South (S) and Southeast (SE) direction with the active verticals (red) over the 6BTV (orange).

There are also many other ways to view data with wspr.rocks including charts and heat maps.

For the power user, there is also the ability to add custom SQL commands to further refine results based on parameters you choose. Customizing and building your own data queries is easily done and many examples are provided to get you started. It is also easy to copy and load WSPR results into Excel for further analysis, but I find wspr.rocks and Grafana sufficient for my purposes.

Note too, that propagation plays a large role as to which antenna performs better than the other at different times of day.

Occasionally, the 6BTV will hear more WSPR spots or even a higher SpotQ value than the active verticals. But due to the active verticals overall lower SNR, it is my antenna of choice as it greatly reduces operator fatigue for long CW sessions.

Noise would perhaps not be an issue for the FT8 operator, though a few dB of SNR improvement is always helpful with marginal signals.

Currently, with the active verticals installed I now only use the 6BTV for transmit.

The Return of QRN

All the above testing was done under quiet conditions, but that never lasts for long here. The improved receive capability of the active verticals becomes dramatically apparent under noisy conditions and I didn’t have to wait long for noise to return.

First, I adjusted the NCC-2 to null out my local QRN. Figure 5 shows the level of QRN I normally experience and Figure 6 shows the results after adjusting the NCC-2 phasing.

After nulling out the QRN, a test on 20 meters for several hours shows a spot count of 1523 for the active verticals (red) vs 715 for the 6BTV (blue). More importantly, the Spot Quality exceeds the 6BTV by a significant margin.

Note: Remember that SpotQ includes SNR in the calculation.

The graph shown in Figure 7 below indicates an improvement of 4 dB to 9
dB and sometimes more over an 8-hour period.

Contrasting these results with those under low noise conditions shown in Figure 3 that tracked more closely, demonstrates the active vertical advantage over the 6BTV under high noise conditions.

The number of additional spots heard are apparent.

A quick look at FT8 exchanges during this high QRN period reveals that in the CQ example in Figure 8, the station on the left with the active verticals was –2dB and the same one with the 6BTV was –22dB; a difference of 20dB.

Since the same SNR improvements are also observed with FT8, many more stations would have been workable.

In the presence of this QRN, the Grafana analysis pattern in Figure 9 shows the advantage of the active verticals (red) in their improved coverage.

Weaker stations further out were still being heard that were not discernible with the 6BTV (orange).

This and the above head-to-head testing in Figure 3 and Figure 7 dramatically demonstrates the power of WSPR for antenna comparison and detailed analysis, as well as the suitability of active verticals for lower SNR. Using WSPR gave me confidence that the changes to my new receive antenna system has made a measurable improvement.

Conclusion

In summary, using WSPR to measure signal strength and directionality between two antennas at the same time enabled me to objectively measure and compare my new receive antenna system against my existing 6BTV vertical.

While I have not done so, WSPR can be used in a similar fashion to test transmitting antenna effectiveness as well.

And of course, WSPR really excels when it comes to propagation analysis.

***

Jim Leslie, VE6JF was licensed in 1964 and built his first 80m rig from scavenged TV parts. Early on, he learned the hard way what high voltage can do to a person! After trying almost every mode there is, he always came back to CW, which has always been his favorite mode. He enjoys CW contests and was one of the CW ops in the 2025 RAC Canada Day Contest at the VE6SV Super Station operating as VE6RAC, as well as taking part in the CQWWDX CW contest there in past years. He enjoys operating POTA and is a member of the POTA support team. Mostly a homebrewer with a soft spot for test equipment, he has a fondness for building anything that involves RF and carefully measuring the results.

The post Measuring Antenna Performance Using WSPR appeared first on OnAllBands.

I can certainly understand where these comments come from. I use some social media platforms, so I have a firsthand idea of why this has become a controversial topic today. What is missing from these negative generalizations is that everything is unhealthy without moderation, and social media is no different.

With these thoughts in mind, social media does have a place in the world today, even in an amateur radio context.

Like any other community of people, amateur radio operators have established numerous groups on social media which help to connect people despite their geographical disparities. As I mentioned, I am a social media user, and though I do not appreciate every aspect of it, I am immensely grateful for how it has connected me to the community of young (and older) hams. After following YOTA (Youth on the Air) and other amateur radio accounts when first creating a profile, I found a number of other young hams who have since become some of my closest friends. I also learned about other opportunities for youth in amateur radio.

These community groups (the list seems endless) can also be a very valuable resource. There is a group for almost any part of the hobby—contesting, satellites, Dayton Hamvention®, CW, and even segments for straight key enthusiasts, bug users, and other subtopics. There are also plenty of support groups for anyone who has questions about a specific issue. You can find many groups dedicated to clubs and organizations, where members can share opinions and advice. This makes social media a good place to speak about things you feel strongly about or feel you could help to improve.

I also recognize that arguments frequently arise in these groups. This is a valid reason to consider whether social media is really beneficial to hams, though arguments will surface regardless of the platform or setting.

The role of social media in amateur radio can also be considered a tool to bridge the gap between hams and the general public. Amateur radio is a technical, jargon-heavy hobby, which can make it challenging to share with the public without significant explanation of terms and norms. I’ve run the YOTA Americas social media accounts for a few years. When creating content to post, I consider how amateur-radio-friendly it is for non-hams and beginners since a large portion of the community that interacts with our social media pages is new to the hobby. Others are likely parents of young hams who may have little or no experience with amateur radio. By focusing on helping amateur radio become more accessible for people who are looking to get involved, social media can be a great way to spread the enjoyment and magic of the hobby.

I encourage anyone who is skeptical of social media’s role in amateur radio to consider the good it can do to help others find our hobby and let those who have already found be introduced to a community where they can find support and meet people with common interests. Communication has always been the goal of ham radio. Social media, even with its faults, opens up a door to many new methods of communication that can help us enhance the hobby for future generations of amateur radio operators.

Editor’s Note: You can check out news, videos, interviews, product announcements, technical information, and more about amateur radio from DX Engineering on Facebook and Instagram.

The post Youth Ham Radio Insights: The Role of Social Media in Amateur Radio appeared first on OnAllBands.

Today I’m going to discuss some different digital modes that serve a deeper purpose than making contacts. We’ll look at ways to pass messages, forms, and other data back and forth beyond simply a signal report. Don’t get me wrong, you could put a message in the text fields of FT8 and pass other messages, but it is not a common practice.

In the event of a cell phone or widespread communication system failure, we like to brag that ham radio still works. And that is true, but do you know how to pass messages and traffic in both voice and digital? There is a system for that, and you need to be familiar with it if you expect to be able to use it in a real-world emergency.

The first software I use is Winlink Express. Winlink Express is “Global Radio Email®.” I can use it to send and receive email over an RF protocol rather than via the internet. It truly works in an infrastructure-free environment.

When properly installed and set up, email and predefined EmComm forms can be sent and received through VHF/UHF/HF gateways around the globe. If my local gateway is down, I simply search for available gateways around the world. This is all done via RF through the Winlink Express program.

The Winlink Express program interface looks like many other email interfaces with an inbox, outbox, sent items, and so on. You can even attach documents to your email. For all intents and purposes, it is exactly what you would expect from an internet-based email client.

Additionally, you can have what they call peer-to-peer communications. This is like an RF-based chat client. You connect to another station through one of the gateways and send “Instant Messages” back and forth. Keep in mind, it is still amateur radio, so there is no privacy or encryption. 

In addition to the Winlink Express program, you will need a modem. This can be a software modem such as VARA or a hardware modem such as the PX DRAGON. Although the hardware modems are considerably more expensive, they are exponentially faster.

Most modern transceivers have a built-in soundcard that will connect to the PC via a simple USB printer cable. If you use a transceiver without a built-in soundcard, you will need an interface device like the Digirig Mobile and appropriate cables.

Winlink Express is a great tool. Plus, you can get it up and running with little to no money out of pocket. I would encourage you—if you are interested in bad-day communications—to consider adding Winlink Express to your toolbox.

We’ll be taking a look at FL Digi in a future post.

Until then, 73 de AC8OW.

The post You Mean There’s More to Digital Modes than Making Contacts on FT8? appeared first on OnAllBands.

Through Zoom calls and in-person meetings, we started planning for the first trip. After discussing possible destinations, we decided on Roatan, an island off the coast of Honduras. The mainland of Honduras is currently in a Level 3 Travel Advisory (reconsider travel) with some areas in Level 4 (do not travel). However, the Bay Islands are generally safer than the mainland, and after researching Roatan, we decided it was a good location for accessibility and propagation.

We wanted to be active during a contest and chose the CQ WPX SSB contest in March. Ted and Mark had not operated outside the U.S. or entered a contest before, but the goal of the trip was to learn as many new things as possible.

We held many more Zoom calls to discuss equipment, getting through customs, lodging/operating location, and applying for a license. For the equipment, we made a list of everything we would need and started collecting the items we did not have.

Finding a location to operate proved to be tricky as most of the rental locations on the island ran off solar power instead of the main power grid. It was virtually impossible to tell if a location would have a high noise level. After consulting with a well experienced DXpedition planner who suggested operating from a pre-established station for our first trip, we changed our plans. Instead of packing our own gear, we decided to rent a station already established on the island—HQ9X. The benefit of using an existing station for the first trip is you can learn how to operate from a DX location and still get practice with applying for licenses and other paperwork with minimal risk in case anything does not go according to plan.

Although we could have operated with our own callsigns with /HR9 (KN2P/HR9, for example), we wanted to get a local Honduras callsign to make the contest operation as smooth as possible. Ted applied for a Honduras license, and three months later we received the paperwork granting us a temporary callsign of HQ9UM. Recent changes to the government had caused a delay in the licensing process, and we received the paperwork on March 14, a week before we left. David, with Radio Club de Honduras, was extremely helpful and went above and beyond to work with the new government to get us the local license.

We planned to be at the station for a week, from the Tuesday before the contest until the following Tuesday. We left Colorado on Monday afternoon, had an overnight layover in Houston, and a short flight to Roatan Tuesday morning. TSA in Houston was experiencing significant wait times up to four or five hours, and we arrived at the airport around 4 am for a 9:30 flight. We arrived at the station via taxi from the airport by mid-afternoon and immediately got to work hooking up the station.

One station was an Icom IC-7610 and the second was an Icom IC-7300, both using Alpha 99 amplifiers. There was a tri-band Yagi for 20/15/10m, a vertical and dipole for 40m, and verticals for 160/80m.

After initial testing, everything seemed to be in working order, and we made the first contacts on SSB that evening! The second radio was set up for CW, and we also did some FT8 as well.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent practicing for the contest and filling the log. I enjoyed the openings during the night to Japan and Australia/New Zealand on 20m. We sat down together after dinner on Thursday and discussed logistics of the contest. We came up with a schedule and talked about which bands to focus on during which hours. Since we were entering the contest as Multi-Single (multi operators, single radio), only one person was operating at a time, which gave the other two time to rest in between shifts.

The contest began at 6 pm local time on Friday evening. I started off on 20m and had a solid first hour. We encountered a major setback with amplifier tuning issues on 10m and were limited to 100 watts on that band. I operated the overnight shift while Ted and Mark took turns alternating shifts during the day.

The 48 hours went by quickly. Although this was the first contest for Mark and Ted, they picked up on the operating style and did an excellent job running a frequency. By 6 pm on Sunday, we were all very tired and eager for a full night of sleep. We celebrated the end of the contest with dinner at a local restaurant on the beach.

We finished the contest with 3,622 QSOs with 8.6 million points. We were happy with the results and learned many lessons of things to change for the next contest. We ended the week’s operation with a total of nearly 6,000 QSOs, including the contest, and currently have 50 states and 87 countries confirmed through LOTW.

Lessons we learned during this trip included applying for the license early, and to also apply for a callsign certificate for that license through LOTW. A QRZ page with accurate information and contact info is important as well. Make sure to include how you will be confirming QSOs, whether through LOTW, QRZ, eQSL, or if you will have paper QSL cards available.

Many hams are happy to share experiences and lessons they have learned on their own trips, and there will always be someone else with more experience in planning and organizing DXpeditions, so ask questions!

The post Turning Dreams of a DXpedition into Reality—The Story of HQ9UM appeared first on OnAllBands.

History of RTTY, Part 1

The origins of RTTY can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the invention of teleprinters, also known as teletypewriters. These machines sent typed text over wires using electrical signals encoded in standardized formats, such as the Baudot code. By the 1920s and 1930s, teleprinters were already well established in wireline communications, particularly for news agencies, government operations, and business.

However, early experiments in transmitting teleprinter signals over radio faced several challenges. Noisy radio frequencies were prone to interference, making reliable transmission of digital signals difficult. But soon, engineers discovered that frequency-shift keying (FSK)—a method where two distinct tones represent binary states—was particularly robust against noise. Instead of transmitting simple on/off signals (as in Morse code), RTTY used two tones to represent “mark” and “space,” corresponding to binary 1s and 0s. This made the system far more reliable over long distances and under poor propagation conditions.

But the real breakthrough for RTTY came during World War II. The military needed secure, fast, and reliable communication methods that could operate over long distances without relying on physical infrastructure. RTTY met this need perfectly; it allowed typed messages to be sent quickly and automatically, reducing human error. Also, RTTY systems could be encrypted, adding a layer of security that voice communications often lacked.

RTTY for Hams

The story really picks up after World War II. During the war, governments produced massive amounts of teleprinter equipment for communication networks. When peace returned, much of this gear was declared surplus and sold at a low price. Never ones to ignore a good deal, amateur radio operators quickly scooped them up. Teleprinters, which had once been the size of a small refrigerator and about as quiet as an impact drill, suddenly became accessible to everyday hams.

At the same time, hams were ready for something new. Morse code (CW) had been the backbone of amateur radio for decades, and voice communication was becoming more widespread. But both required real-time listening and interpretation. RTTY offered something different: you could type a message, hit a key, and it would magically appear on someone else’s machine miles—or even continents—away. It was like texting, but with a very heavy phone.

In the late 1940s and 1950s, small groups of enthusiasts began experimenting with RTTY on amateur bands. These early adopters shared tips, schematics, and war stories (sometimes literally) through newsletters and radio clubs. A community formed and they standardized operating practices, including a 170 Hz shift and a baud rate of 45.45 for 60 WPM machines.

Watch this video of the Teletype Model 26 KSR (Keyboard Send-Receive) at the Museum of Communications in Seattle, Washington:

The technical challenge of RTTY also made it irresistible. Amateur radio operators love tinkering, and RTTY gave them plenty to tinker with. Operators had to figure out how to generate and decode frequency-shift keyed signals, interface mechanical devices with electronic circuits, and keep everything synchronized. It was equal parts engineering project and MacGyver-type improvisation. If something broke, you didn’t call tech support; you grabbed a screwdriver and hoped for the best.

One of RTTY’s biggest advantages was its reliability. Voice signals could fade, distort, or disappear entirely under poor conditions, leaving operators repeating “Say again?” RTTY, on the other hand, used distinct tones that could often be decoded even under less-than-ideal conditions. As long as the signal made it through in some form, there was a good chance the message would print correctly. This made RTTY especially popular for long-distance (DX) communication. It turns out that when you’re trying to talk to someone halfway around the world, having your message arrive as readable text instead of static is a big plus.

The evolution of technology in the 1960s and 1970s also contributed to RTTY’s continued growth. While early systems relied on mechanical teleprinters, later developments introduced electronic terminals and more compact equipment. Solid-state electronics made RTTY setups more reliable and easier to maintain. The introduction of personal computers in the late 20th century further transformed RTTY operations. Software could emulate teleprinters, generate tones, and decode signals, eliminating the need for large machines. This made RTTY accessible to a much wider audience.

RTTY also changed the social dynamic of ham radio. Because communication was typed, it became more structured and less dependent on quick thinking or smooth talking. You didn’t need a great speaking voice or perfect timing—you just needed to type. It also helped bridge language barriers, since written text is often easier to interpret than spoken words accompanied by QRM. However, it also introduced a new problem: the occasional operator who typed…very…slowly…while everyone else waited.

Contesting played a major role in RTTY’s popularity. Ham radio contests are events where operators try to make as many contacts as possible, and RTTY turned out to be a perfect solution. Standardized messages could be sent quickly and accurately, enabling high-speed operation. Dedicated RTTY contests began to appear, drawing participants from around the world. For many operators, the appeal was simple: more contacts, less shouting into a microphone, and fewer chances to accidentally say something embarrassing on the air.

RTTY or Not

RTTY’s limitations eventually became apparent. It used a relatively wide bandwidth, was a bit inefficient, and lacked advanced error correction. As digital signal processing and personal computers became more accessible in the late 20th century, newer modes began to outperform RTTY. However, by that time, RTTY had already secured its place in history as the first widely adopted digital radio communication mode.

More efficient digital modes like FT8, PSK31, and JS8Call began to appear, offering better performance. Modern modes can operate at or below the noise floor, but RTTY requires a relatively strong, clear signal. As for bandwidth, PSK31 uses only 31 Hz, while RTTY typically uses 170 Hz or more, making newer modes far more spectrum-efficient. The new digital modes use computer soundcards and software such as WSJT-X or Fldigi, eliminating the need for old mechanical teletype machines or dedicated hardware TNCs. While RTTY is still used in contests, modern digital alternatives are more popular for weak-signal work, keyboard-to-keyboard ragchews, and quick data exchanges

Despite digital improvements, the charm of the original machines never fully disappeared. Some enthusiasts still enjoy restoring and operating vintage teleprinters, partly for nostalgia and partly because nothing says “I love RTTY” like maintaining a device that sounds like a slow-firing machine gun, punctuated by bells.

RTTY Nitty-Gritty

Ultimately, RTTY became the first mainstream digital data mode due to a convergence of factors: the availability of teleprinter technology, the development of robust transmission methods such as frequency-shift keying, wartime communication demands, and the ease of adaptation to existing communications infrastructure. Its widespread use in military, commercial, and amateur radio applications established it as a foundation in the evolution of digital communications. Consider it the “grandfather” of modern digital modes in ham radio.

Even today, in an age of advanced digital modes and lightning-fast communication, RTTY remains in use. Most modern transceivers, like the Icom IC-7610, even have a built-in RTTY mode. It may no longer be the newest or most efficient option, but it holds a special place in the history of amateur radio. After all, it was one of the first steps into the digital world—and it did it with style, noise, and a lot of moving parts.

The IC-7610 has built-in RTTY decoders and encoders. Using a USB keyboard and the contents set in the RTTY TX memory, you can do basic RTTY operations without using an external device or software. (Image/Icom)

We can agree that Morse code arrived first. But as we examine the evolution of digital in amateur radio, it’s apparent that digital data modes such as PSK31, FT8, JS8Call, Packet Radio, and Olivia have their roots in RTTY rather than CW. RTTY is the bridge between the past and present of digital radio.

Want to learn more about RTTY basics?

Check this OnAllBands article written by Ed Muns, W0YK, “Getting Started in RTTY.”

The post Ham Radio History: How RTTY Became the First Mainstream Digital Data Mode appeared first on OnAllBands.