Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 402
January 3rd, 2026 | 
Author: 
RM Noise: AI noise filtering
Live filtering of voice and CW.
RM Noise
Run HamClock on your AllStarLink node
There is a script written to do this and it is easy to use.
EtherHam
POTA operators need to be more respectful
Interactions can be downright stressful, especially during the later hours of the day when a lone operator can look “suspicious” to someone who doesn’t understand Amateur Radio.
VE3IPS
W6RGC/AI: AI amateur radio operator and voice assistant
Natural language APRS capabilities allowing operators to send and receive APRS messages using conversational voice commands.
W6RGC
What QRP has taught me about slowing down
One of the things I love most about QRP is how naturally it encourages me to slow down and be present in the moment.
QRPer
Amateur Radio Television live streams
View live feeds of Amateur Radio Television transmissions.
BATV
UberSDR
A powerful, web-based SDR platform powered by ka9q-radio.
UberSDR
52 week Ham Radio Challenge wrap-up
What a journey it’s been!
Ian Renton
North Pole connection: Families speak to Santa through Ham Radio
Ham Radio operators have coordinated the holiday tradition through Santa Net for 20 years.
WVIA
Video
Replacing the IC-705 USB port with USB-C
Close-up shots of each step, what to watch out for, and tips to avoid common mistakes during installation.
KM4ACK
Improving receive performance on 80 Meters
Is a dipole or a loop better?
Ask Dave!
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Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 401
The Top Links of 2025
At the end of each year, I take a look back at all the previous issues of Amateur Radio Weekly, count up all the clicks, and see which links were most popular among Amateur Radio Weekly readers. It’s a fun way to look back at 2025 and I hope you enjoy!
73 K4HCK
10. You’ve been warned
When the speed reached 90 words per minute there was just me and one other guy left.
KE9V
9. Exploring the Caged Hen Delta Antenna
Derived from the Hentenna, it is a very quiet, very broadband, horizontally polarized antenna with a low take-off angle excellent for DX.
AE0EN
8. Morse Maven
Master Morse code at your own pace with simulated QSOs and decoding tools using both audio and light.
Morse Maven
7. A tragic reminder: Safety must come first in the field
A tragic accident that took the life of fellow Ham Radio operator and POTA enthusiast, Tripp Owens (N4NTO).
QRPer
6. SteppIR to stop selling antennas to the Radio Amateur market
While this type of antenna was somewhat unique say a decade ago, other manufacturers now use a similar concept.
EI7GL
5. Ham community frets in “Delete, Delete” comments
Many commenters worry about the future of Ham Radio under the FCC’s deregulatory effort.
Radio World
4. The case of the shrinking Technicians
The Technician class is concerning with a 7.2% cumulative decline starting in June 2021.
K0NR
3. The U.S. Ham Radio market: Is it dying?
The short answer is no. But it is changing.
K4FMH
2. SCAMP digital mode available in Fldigi
Simple Conversational Amateur Message Protocol (SCAMP) is a weak signal digital mode developed by Dr. Daniel Marks (KW4TI).
Amatuer Radio Daily
1. Bandplan Generator
Allows completely customizable frequency ranges and segments generating a well-designed plan for screen or print.
LY1JA
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LHS Episode #603: The Weekender CXXXVI
It’s time for The Weekender! This is our departure into the world of hedonism, random topic excursions, whimsy and (hopefully) knowledge. Thanks for listening and, if you happen to get a chance, feel free to call us or e-mail and send us some feedback. Tell us how we’re doing. We’d love to hear from you.
73 de The LHS Crew
Step one in my Python coding adventure
In my first post regarding my Python adventure, I shared how I wanted
to use python coding in the shack. As my readers know I am an avid CW
contester and before a contest begins I have 5 programs that need to be
launched. The issue is if I launch them out of order or if one program has an issue things get all
screwed up, and I have to start all over again. In doing so, most of the
time I need to go into some programs and reconnect some com ports and
clear lots of error messages. My first Python project will be one
double-click on a desktop icon that will get all my contest stuff up and
running smoothly in the right order.
The approach I am using is
to write python code to start each individual program. Then save those in a file. This will get my whistle wet with python coding, both
with success and some head scratching. At this point I have coded out
most of my programs so they start. Once that is fully completed, it will
be grouping them all together into one process.
In a nutshell, here is the plan:
– Turn on a Wi-Fi plug which powers on my power supply and Pi4B power supply
– Start my VSPE virtual com port program and minimize it.
– Start my Wn4icom program which also starts my Icom 7610 radio.
– Start my N1MM contest software.
–
Then finally Firefox will start, open Reverse Beacon Network, log me
in, set up search for my call and set it to refresh my call sign spots
every 10 minutes.
Lets take a fast look at the python coding for the WiFi plug.
import asyncio
from kasa import SmartPlug
async def main():
plug = SmartPlug(“10.0.0.71”) # Replace with your plug’s IP address
await plug.update()
await plug.turn_on()
print(“Plug turned on”
asyncio.run(main())
For the Kasa smart WiFi plug by TP link to work I had to first download into python the kasa library. I opened up python and entered the code below…well actually cut and paste.
pip install python-kasa
Now below in a nut shell is what the code is all about for the Kasa WiFi plug to turn on.
1. Python loads the needed modules. (asyncio and SmartPlug)
2. Program defines async functions or in English connecting to the wifi plug could take time and this allows things not to freeze if the process takes time.
So now modules are loaded and it knows some actions could take time.
3. Now asyncio.run(main()) runs and this is what happens.
Smart plug is created for IP address 10.0.071
The plugs state is defined (on or off)
The plug is turned on via network command
A message printed in python code window “plug turned on”
Program closes.
In closing I am not by any means a pythonista regarding code and I am sure many who are can poke holes in the coding or what I left out regarding what to explain. This is my first attempt at this game and I was actually shocked that it worked. BUT your input will and always is welcomed.
Next post is about the learning curve, hiccups and added lines of code for smoothness and reliable start up.
Having a snake of a time.
Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 400
Amateur Radio licensing update during US government shutdown
ARRL Volunteer Examiners should continue giving exam sessions.
ARRL
Review: futureGEO Workshop 2025 in Bochum
Setting the course for the next geostationary Amateur Radio satellite.
AMSAT-DL
ISS Slow Scan TV October 3-9
ARISS Series 29 comprises 6 images to celebrate the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite in 1957.
AMSAT-UK
MicroLink EchoLink node
The smallest, cheapest way to put a radio onto the EchoLink network.
KC1FSZ
Construction of the Simple Low Profile Multiband POTA antenna
Although the antenna is described as “simple,” that term relates more to how it is deployed and its appearance than its actual construction.
Ham Radio Outside The Box
7,000 POTA QSOs at one park
This is no small feat for me.
WK4DS
Direction finding with a KrakenSDR
KrakenSDR is a 5-channel coherent RTL-SDR based software defined radio system.
RTL-SDR
Install a Ham Radio window feed-through
No-drill step-by-step.
Ham Radio Prep
Plotting RF spectrum with the LinHT
The display is so colorful, why not sprinkle it with a bit of DSP maths, generating a nice plot for us to enjoy?
M17 Project
Hurricane Helene: One year later
Amateur Radio became our family’s superpower.
K4SWL
Video
The 44Net origin story
We look back at the beginnings of 44Net, where pioneers share their contributions to putting the Internet over the airwaves.
ARDC
Easy packet radio interface
Digital interface lets you interface your dual-band rig to a Raspberry Pi or PC.
KM6LYW
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Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 399
ARRL – Pass The Bill
While the ARRL is pushing for this bill, I have not seen much written about what is actually IN the bill.
K0NR
MORE Project
The MORE Project is providing free access to US amateur radio courses and licensing for youth aged 12-17.
MORE Project
Radio Shack rebirth may have gone awry in alleged Ponzi-like scheme
The brand was supposed to return to new heights online only to fall afoul of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hackaday
Urban POTA in downtown San Francisco
So many buildings, so many RF obstacles, and so much fun!
Copasetic Flow
The RSGB LoRa Balloon Challenge 2025
Checking the results showed I’d only got one packet to it, but one was enough!
Ian Renton
AM radio’s death has been grossly exaggerated
The gloomiest headlines about the medium are not justified.
RadioWorld
Novel Amateur Radio drill aids in emergency communications
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Paducah Site has incorporated Amateur Radio into a drill for its emergency management program.
U.S. Department of Energy
Amateur Radio and Morse Code outside of the shack
How Morse Code is being used by major brands.
OnAllBands
Being on time on the Mac
A super accurate clock is critical for digital modes as we’re dealing in milliseconds and not seconds and minutes.
Andrew Woodward
Improving SW reception with a simple ground wire
A very simple lifehack for improving reception on a regular radio broadcast receiver.
SWLing Post
Video
Half-square antenna: 3.6dBi and low takeoff angle
This simple full-wavelength wire antenna has some impressive features: about 3.6 dBi of gain broadside and a low takeoff angle, making it excellent for DX.
K5OHY
I was coiling cables wrong for years
In this video I show the easy way to avoid tangles, knots, and kinks when you’re coiling cables.
Ham Radio DX
DXing at dawn
DXing from West Mersea Essex.
Ham Radio and Kayaking with 2E0WMG
