Submit

Featured · free in your browser

CQ Desk — live map, spots & space weather

This is one of HamLike’s flagship tools: an interactive dashboard with a world map (PSK paths, greyline, POTA, SOTA, ISS), NOAA space weather, an HF band snapshot, sun & moon at your location, callsign lookup, live spots, and curated ham radio news — no app install.

  • Use it right now as a guest — no account required.
  • Create a free account to save your callsign & grid and unlock the full experience.

CQ Desk is in active development (beta). If something looks off, we appreciate your patience — and we’d love to have you try it.

Operator-Driven Community

The front page for active ham radio operators.

Short callsign profiles, club pages, and operator-driven discussion for people who actually get on the air.

Recent operator pages

CQ Desk

The map-and-shack dashboard above — try it first, then sign up to save your station defaults.

Launch CQ Desk →

Callsign profiles

Get a short public link like /W1AW for your on-air identity.

Club pages

Give your club one clean place for schedules, updates, and discussion.

Operator-driven feed

Browse gear, antennas, operating, and station life ranked by operators.

Want to join the community? Register an account.

text by @W1DVR

Xmas ornaments for fellow ham operators.

I created some Christmas ornaments for my fellow operators using my new Flashforge Adventurer 5M! To achieve the multi-color design, I used pauses at different layer heights during the print. It was a fun project to put my new printer to the test!

Picture:

#DIY
0 comments
text by @admin

Get Your Own Vanity Call Sign

One of the most common questions new hams ask is, “How do I get a vanity call sign?” Although the process can seem a bit complicated at first, it’s something any ham can navigate with a little guidance. In this article, I’ll simplify the steps so you can get your own custom call sign without any hassle. Keep in mind that the FCC now charges a $35 fee for vanity call sign applications as part of its new license application fees.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to do:

  1. 1. Choose one or more call signs you’d like
  • 2. Find your
  • Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Grounding Your Ham Radio Station: Best Practices for a Safe and Quiet Station

    Setting up a solid grounding system is one of the most important steps in establishing a reliable and safe ham radio station. Proper grounding helps protect you and your equipment from electrical issues, reduces noise for clearer signals, and provides a safe path for static and lightning discharge. Here’s a comprehensive look at grounding and how to set up an effective system.

    ### Why Grounding Is Important

    **A well-grounded station serves three primary purposes:**

    **1. Safety:** Grounding provides a safe path for electrical currents,

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Protecting Yourself from Electrical Shock in Ham Radio Operations

    Ham radio is an exciting hobby, but it involves handling electrical equipment that, if not treated with respect, can pose serious risks. Understanding how to protect yourself from electrical shock is essential to staying safe while you enjoy your radio activities. This article will cover some key precautions and best practices that every ham radio operator should follow to minimize the risk of electrical shock.

    **1. Understand the Dangers of High Voltage**

    One of the first things to keep in mind is that ham radio equipment often operates at voltages higher than household levels. Even small

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @W1DVR

    Using the DigiRig with FT-891 and Windows 10

    ### DigiRig Quick Start Guide for FT-891 & Windows 10 Setup

    ---

    ### Introduction

    Hey everyone! Today, I’ll walk you through setting up the DigiRig with an FT-891 radio and a Windows 10 laptop. This compact tool makes it easy to get on digital modes in the field. Here’s a quick guide to get you up and running.

    ---

    ### What You’ll Need

    FT-891 radio

    Windows 10 laptop

    DigiRig (with USB, audio, and serial cables)

    Ferrite chokes (recommended to reduce interference)

    Read full post

    #Gear
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Random manuals / PDFs

    ### - **COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS FUNDAMENTALS Wave Propagation, Transmission Lines, and Antennas**

    Download:

    [upl-file uuid=a7732f43-25f9-4d12-b104-dba83bd8c270 size=4MB]tc9-64.pdf[/upl-file]

    .

    ### - **TACTICAL SINGLE- CHANNEL RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TECHNIQUES**

    Download:

    [upl-file

    Read full post

    #Off Topic
    0 comments
    text by @W1DVR

    Yaesu Ft-891 The Nifty! Mini-Manual

    The Nifty! Mini-Manual
    pretty cool little manual for the Yaesu Ft-891, thank to N6FN for creating this manual. www.niftyaccessories.com

    [upl-file uuid=7221bbf6-9d7d-4151-acd6-5cd48418ca62 size=3MB]yaesu-ft891-mini-manual.pdf[/upl-file]

    [upl-image-preview

    Read full post

    #Gear
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    SO-50 Satellite

    The SO-50 (Saudi-OSCAR 50) satellite is a popular satellite among amateur radio operators worldwide. Launched on December 20, 2002, SO-50 is one of the most accessible amateur radio satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), providing a reliable platform for satellite communication. This article explores the key features of SO-50, how to access it, and tips for making your first contact.

    ### Overview of

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    The Advantages of Single Sideband (SSB)

    Single Sideband (SSB) modulation is a highly efficient and widely used mode of communication in the ham radio world, especially for long-distance (DX) contacts on HF bands. Understanding its benefits and why it’s preferred by many operators can help you get the most out of your station. This article explores the technical and practical advantages of SSB, demonstrating why it remains a cornerstone in amateur radio communication.

    ### **What is Single Sideband (SSB)?**

    SSB is a form of amplitude modulation (AM) where only one of the sidebands (either upper sideband—USB, or lower

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Repeater Offsets in Ham Radio

    In ham radio, repeaters play a crucial role in extending the range of communication, enabling contacts over vast distances that would be difficult to achieve with simplex (direct radio-to-radio) communication. A key concept in using repeaters is the *repeater offset*, which is fundamental for ensuring smooth and efficient communication. This article provides a detailed technical explanation of repeater offsets, including how they work, why they are used, and how to correctly set them up on your radio.

    ### **What is a Repeater Offset?**

    A repeater offset is

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Harnessing Solar Power for Ham Radio: A Technical Guide

    In the world of ham radio, reliable power is essential. As ham radio operators, we often find ourselves in remote locations where access to the electrical grid is limited or non-existent. Solar power provides an efficient and sustainable solution, allowing us to maintain continuous operations while also promoting environmental responsibility. This article delves into the technical aspects of setting up and optimizing a solar power system tailored specifically for ham radio use, focusing on equipment, system design, and efficiency.

    ### **Understanding Solar Power Systems**

    Before

    Read full post

    #Off Topic
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    EchoLink: A Technical Overview and User Guide

    # EchoLink: A Technical Overview and User Guide

    ## Introduction

    EchoLink is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application designed for licensed amateur radio operators, enabling them to communicate via the internet. By bridging radio communication with internet technology, EchoLink allows users to connect with

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    DIY Dipole Antenna

    ## DIY Dipole Antenna

    Building your own dipole antenna can be an enjoyable and rewarding project, whether you are an amateur radio operator or just someone interested in exploring the world of radio communications. This guide will walk you through the basics of dipole antennas, the materials you need, and step-by-step instructions to build your own.

    ### What is a Dipole Antenna?

    A dipole antenna is one of the simplest and most effective types of antennas. It consists of two equal-length conductive elements (usually made of wire) that are oriented in opposite directions. The basic dipole antenna

    Read full post

    #Antennas
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Ham Radio Filters

    # **Ham Radio Filters: Essential Tools for Clear Communication**

    Amateur radio, or ham radio, has long been a vital communication tool for hobbyists, emergency responders, and enthusiasts alike. A key component of any ham radio setup is the use of filters. These devices play a critical role in ensuring that your signals are as clear and interference-free as possible, while also minimizing unwanted noise and harmonics. Whether you're talking to fellow operators across town or communicating globally, using the right filters can make a world of difference in the quality of

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    The Different Types of Coaxial Cables Used for Ham Radio

    # The Different Types of Coaxial Cables Used for Ham Radio

    Coaxial cable is a fundamental component in ham radio setups, acting as the bridge between your radio transceiver and antennas. Whether you're building a simple station for local communications or setting up a complex, multi-band system, choosing the right type of coaxial cable is crucial. The performance of your radio system,

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    text by @admin

    Ham Radio SSB on the 2 Meter Band

    # Ham Radio SSB on the 2 Meter Band

    Single Sideband (SSB) operation on the 2-meter band represents an exciting aspect of amateur radio that allows operators to make long-distance communications with relatively low power. While the 2-meter band is primarily known for FM communication, SSB offers unique advantages that appeal to many amateur radio enthusiasts.

    ## Understanding SSB

    Single Sideband is a refined form of amplitude modulation (AM) that uses bandwidth more efficiently. In SSB, only one sideband (either the upper or lower) of the carrier wave is transmitted, eliminating the need for the

    Read full post

    #General
    0 comments
    Page 7