The Baofeng UV-5R Mini brings USB-C charging and Bluetooth to the classic UV-5R platform. While it excels in portability, it faces significant hurdles in Airband reception and UI quirks.
Reviews
The Reviews category contains hands‑on evaluations of radios, accessories, kits, and tools that you’ve actually used in the shack or field. These are not just spec‑sheet summaries: posts typically cover unboxing, build or setup experience, quirks, measured performance where possible, and honest impressions after real on‑air use.
ADSBee 1090: An Open-Source ADS-B Receiver Built for Modern Aviation Tracking
ADSBee 1090 is an open-source ADS-B receiver that decodes 1090 MHz aircraft transponder signals using RP2040 PIO — a low-power standalone aviation tracker with Wi-Fi data streaming.
Evolution of the ATS Mini: A Technical Deep Dive into V1 through V4
The ATS Mini series represents one of the most innovative developments in pocket-sized DSP receivers for shortwave enthusiasts and ham radio operators. Built around the Silicon Labs SI4732 DSP chip and ESP32 microcontroller, these tiny radios pack remarkable functionality into an incredibly compact form factor. Let’s explore the technical evolution across all versions, from the original V1 to the latest V4. Built around the Si4732 chip and powered by an ESP32, each iteration has addressed hardware bottlenecks, from audio quality to RF interference
sBitx v3: The Linux SDR That Refuses to Be Boring
Explore the sBitx v3 — an open-source Linux SDR transceiver merging computer and HF radio, enabling portable digital operation without a laptop
MagSafe Breadboard Turns the iPhone into a Portable Electronics Prototyping Lab
MagSafe Breadboard is an innovative concept that attaches to an iPhone and turns it into a portable prototyping lab. Ideal for learning and DIY electronics
ZBitx: The Pocket SDR That’s Redefining Portable QRP
ZBITX is an ultra-portable 5 W all-band HF SDR transceiver with built-in FT8, CW, and digital modes powered by Raspberry Pi. Pocket-sized QRP radio for POTA/SOTA field operation without a laptop.
PhaseLatch Mini: An Affordable STM32-Based SDR Digitizer for Radio Experimenters
PhaseLatch Mini is a compact STM32-based SDR digitizer with dual 12-bit simultaneous ADCs and 210 kS/s USB I/Q streaming. Designed for use with PhaseLoom front-ends, it delivers clean HF/VHF signal capture for GNU Radio, GQRX, and SDR experimentation.
ATS Mini V4: The Pocket-Sized SSB Receiver Just Got a Major Upgrade
The ATS Mini receiver has long been a favorite among hobbyists and Shortwave Listeners (SWLs) for packing incredible functionality into a tiny, portable package. Now, the latest iteration, the ATS Mini V4, arrives on the scene, building on the success of its predecessors (V1, V3, and V3S) with significant enhancements that cement its status as a top-tier micro-controlled radio.
Turning the NXP TEF6686 Car-Radio Chip into a Versatile Multiband Receiver]]
From Car Dash to SDR Lab: Turning the NXP TEF6686 Car-Radio Chip into a Versatile Multiband Receiver There’s a certain magic in hearing distant AM or FM stations fade in from the noise — a reminder of how much can be done with clever design and a bit of curiosity. Recently, hobbyists have discovered that […]
kv4p HT project -Turning Your Android Phone Into a Ham Radio
KV4P-HT turns an Android phone into a VHF/UHF ham radio via USB-C — an open-source ESP32 + SA818 transceiver add-on with APRS messaging, 1 W output, and fully off-grid operation