https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-blog.html The ham radio blog section on this site alerts the reader of new content being added as well as noteworthy news and events. en-us ham radio Fri, 4 Sep 2026 16:56:59 -0400 Fri, 4 Sep 2026 16:56:59 -0400 hamradiosecrets.com https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-books.htmlbae175539cd43805a17e4182be77c08dStop guessing. These ham radio books show what works (and what doesn’t) for HF wire antennas, accounting for space, homemade or bought, tuners and more.
Fri, 4 Sep 2026 16:56:48 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/b27ceef766066e59126492ffd9065508Ham radio or amateur radio has fascinated generations. This Web site reveals the secrets behind its enduring popularity and usefulness.
Thu, 21 May 2026 11:47:11 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-blog.html#World-Amateur-Radio-Day39c851b6a764965f97522c13d7ff69fbOn April 18, 2026, amateur radio operators all over the world celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) which was founded in Paris, France on April 18, 1926. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-blog.html#Still-alive-kickingca60d2c3b0db50a72b9e70835df16c1cI'm 80 years young now and the clock keeps on ticking. Here is a quote from the April 2026 QCWA Journal that I thought was fitting. "We all get to die twice. The first time is when our heart stops beating, the second time is when our name is never spoken again." 73 de VE2DPE - still alive & kicking! Tue, 7 Apr 2026 22:32:55 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/10-meter-ham-radio.html6b85b325fa68396c1e85c5040af3a3de10 meter ham radio is known for its spectacular DX when it is open. Sunspot cycle 24 is about to unlock it. Get ready for ham radio at it's finest. Sat, 4 Apr 2026 11:05:17 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/sunspot-cycle.html1ae222e0020922b8dc7775a2dc3324fbLearn how the sunspot cycle is driving Solar Cycle 25, changing HF propagation, and creating better DX opportunities for ham radio operators. Thu, 2 Apr 2026 16:52:46 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/nvis-antenna.html74802eec6456e6cdc8162a236ba4a117Build a compact 40 meter NVIS antenna for field use. This guide shows a 44-foot linear-loaded low-noise design capable of 150 to 200 km range.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:23:47 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/homemade-ham-radio-antennas.html3170346c2a8e30f48df3529aee24e31fSkip the dead ends. Find homemade ham radio antennas that work in real installs: HF wire designs, QRP insights, and the books/clubs worth your time. Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:48:20 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-license-test-online.html56916fb43f719cf3a73e71dbf99b619eFind US & Canada study resources, practice tests, and session links from ARRL and more for the ham radio license test online. Book when confident.
Sun, 22 Mar 2026 15:43:43 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-license-study-guide.html2a0c94a960b3abc0bc09d2e41509b64bPick a ham radio license study guide that builds real understanding. See trusted books for all license levels, by country: US, CA, UK, AU. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:29:19 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-operator.htmld9e98add518fd339dd6e8ead5ec93247Meet VE2DPE, ham radio operator and HamRadioSecrets.com owner. Learn his path from shortwave listening to a modern SDR shack, since 1973 - plus his antennas.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:58:54 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/hf-vertical-antenna.html3244d2bbb372238f7cb2a0a85c894175Before buying an HF vertical antenna for base or portable use, learn what you have to trade for a chance of DX with the antenna's vertically polarized signal.
Sun, 15 Mar 2026 16:33:11 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-hf-antenna.htmldf0f08d0c00a04b60ad04cd572cd92f3Need a full length ham radio hf antenna for limited space? See how some dipole configurations avoid loading coil losses, still radiate well and remain safe. Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:43:57 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/amateur-radio-antenna.htmle2dc16996b1e85add1a392bb1eb877b5Need a 160m antenna for a small lot? This amateur radio antenna uses a hybrid configuration and tunes with a floating counterpoise. It makes contacts.
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 16:01:21 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/160-meter-antenna.htmlf67017c603ad751d2b595ce40b786453Need 160 meter antenna coverage on a small lot? This hybrid design skips big loading coils and shows how to tune the counterpoise to 1.8 MHz quickly.
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:56:46 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/how-to-stop-electromagnetic-interference.htmlf1065429180bcf95cf2f1ae468a0a036Tired of HF noise? Learn how to stop electromagnetic interference with a small active magnetic loop, how to aim its nulls, and boost SNR fast.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:22:59 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/amateur-radio-websites.html94c41dcff3bed05afa15d613ea0cd42bHow to build amateur radio websites that standout from the competition online. Get a clear plan for content, structure, and monetization here, now. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:04:17 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/antenna-calculator.htmle74cd59f8be466ad0c2718d3a7029bcfUse this antenna calculator to cut a half-wave HF dipole or inverted V. Includes 468/f guidance, why resonance shifts, and how to trim for low SWR.
Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:07:37 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-information.htmlf0d8e1d7deb913142c929a0c82fc6057Need a specific answer? Use this ham radio information request form to ask VE2DPE about antennas, licensing, gear, bands, or modes. Answers may be shared. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:33:26 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-news.html378f77586dec2be8f1ce7d0666a22decLooking for ham radio news without digging? Use this one-page hub for breaking headlines on major topics: emergency comms, technology, bands and more. Sat, 7 Mar 2026 16:58:03 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-blog.html#Commonwealth-Contest-March-14-15-202635d72b3534a60ee40585a4a8756ee533The annual Commonwealth Contest (CC) takes place very soon from 1000z Saturday, March 14 to 0959z Sunday March 15. This 24-hour CW-only contest takes place on the five HF contest bands (80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres). This contest has been around since 1931. Once known as the "BERU," the CC involves Amateurs in the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations and their associated territories only. This gives us an exclusive shot at some very interesting DX. The contest is now a partnership of the International Amateur Radio Union’s (IARU) member societies for Canada (Radio Amateurs of Canada – RAC), Australia (Wireless Institute of Australia – WIA), India (Amateur Radio Society of India – ARSI), New Zealand (New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters – NZART) and the United Kingdom (Radio Society of Great Britain – RSGB). "HQ" stations have a special status in this contest and the RAC HQ station VE3RHQ will once again be operated by Mike Kelly, VE3FFK. Other RAC call signs will be activated across Canada. There will also be HQ stations from many parts of the Commonwealth, with several in each of the United Kingdom and Australia. Take part in the RAC Commonwealth Contest. Fri, 6 Mar 2026 17:22:37 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-software.htmld4257014fedc67d059cb722822bef6f5Ham radio software is a new hobby within the hobby: study tools, operating aids, digital modes, and even remote control. See what's available on each OS.
Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:48:59 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-frequencies.html16560603cae6e87af8c971bb9c4636a3Bookmark These Ham Radio Frequencies: IARU downloads, Region 2 allocations, beacons, digital HF frequencies, repeaters, and handy links to ARRL guides.
Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:34:49 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-license.html75b1d3d594a36d7ddd6b74db322f69a6New or coming back? This ham radio license page explains entry vs advanced levels, exam topics, study tips, and where to find official question pools. Sun, 1 Mar 2026 16:35:49 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-equipment.html962337963275f06e50b425dfa33973b0Ham radio equipment can be new, used, or borrowed from your local club. See what matters re: transceiver, antenna, power supply, and accessories.
Sun, 1 Mar 2026 15:27:55 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ionospheric-propagation-of-radio-waves.html717fdebe6b56bd6641faaa741ba2a115How does the ionospheric propagation of radio waves work? Here is an explanation from a ham radio point of view.
Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:43:58 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/short-ham-antennas.htmlb6c3fa50ca3bb29d7eb86b03e26a216dNeed short ham antennas for HF that really work? Forget about loading coils and capacity hats. Here is a simpler and much more effective technique. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:54:02 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/listen-to-ham-radio-online.html71fc79f31014e4b012e2acda4e936e63Want to listen to ham radio online? Frustrated by dead links? You will only find live links here!
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:12:42 -0500 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/ham-radio-kits.html3e8cdefb99331f54fad44fed14d16f74Ham radio kits pack a lot of value. This page explains how much and why. Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:42:32 -0400 https://www.hamradiosecrets.com/off-center-fed-dipole.html749c9a9bfb339c2a639ce02247c93f41The off-center-fed dipole is a versatile multiband HF antenna when properly fed. Understanding how it works can pay dividends. Here is what you need to know.
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