Tired of “RF in the shack”? This detailed guide walks you through building a DIY RF Current Sniffer using LED and Meter indicators to troubleshoot your coax cables.
Tools
The Tools category brings together both hardware and software that make your radio life easier: audio helpers, shack utilities, measurement aids, and digital tools that support building and operating. You’ll find projects like microphone compressors and RF indicators, along with curated lists of PC and web utilities for circuit design, PCB layout, simulation, logging, and on‑air operating
Low-Loss Feedline on a Budget: Building 450 to 600 Ohm DIY Ladder Line from Common Materials
If you are running a multiband doublet or any antenna with a tuner, ladder line will outperform coax on almost every band. Here is how to build your own from scratch — four proven designs, common materials, and every practical detail from spacer drilling to routing it through the shack wall.
FT2 Digital Mode: Speed King With Serious Growing Pains
FT2 promises ultra‑fast QSOs with 3.8‑second cycles and up to 240 contacts per hour, but early adopters are divided. This in‑depth report analyzes FT2’s technical trade‑offs, including its weaker –12 dB sensitivity, very tight ±50 ms clock requirement, Windows‑only Decodium client, and limited award support. It also compiles global feedback from Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, blogs, and WhatsApp groups—ranging from contesters who love the speed to operators who see FT2 as risky, unnecessary, or too fragile for weak‑signal DX.
FT2: The Fastest Digital Mode in Amateur Radio
Developed by Martino Merola, IU8LMC, from the ARI Caserta team in Italy, FT2 is a genuinely operational new digital mode — not vaporware, not a proposal. It was publicly verified on 16 February 2026, with dozens of real QSOs logged on 40m and 80m bands.
Beginner’s Guide to HF SSTV Setup with SSB Transceivers
Slow Scan Television (SSTV) is a fascinating mode that allows you to send and receive still images over HF radio using your SSB transceiver. The uBITX and similar homebrew/commercial SSB radios are excellent platforms for SSTV operation. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the complete setup process.
uBITX Microphone Preamplifier
Simple 2N3904 microphone preamplifier for uBITX V3–V6 transceivers that fixes low mic audio and restores full transmit power. Powered from the MIC+ line with adjustable gain for clean, natural SSB modulation.
Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS): The Definitive Guide to Reliable Regional HF Radio
This article will give you a complete understanding of NVIS propagation. With the level of technical expertise and detail found in this article, this guide is intended for the amateur radio operator who wants to go beyond the theory and learn the details of NVIS antenna design and operations.
Build a High-Sensitivity Regenerative Receiver with 2N7000 MOSFET
The 2N7000 regenerative receiver is a classic single-transistor radio that combines simplicity with surprisingly high sensitivity. By using controlled positive feedback, the circuit operates just below oscillation, dramatically increasing gain and selectivity.
DIY Moxon Rectangle Beam Antenna for 10m, 15m, and 20m Bands
Master the DIY Moxon Rectangle Beam antenna. Detailed guide on dimensions, design, and calculations for 14MHz, 21MHz, and 28MHz ham radio bands.
Getting Started with FreeDV: A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Voice on Amateur Radio
Beginner’s guide to FreeDV digital voice on HF using an SSB transceiver, computer, and sound-card interface. Learn setup, operating basics, and how open-source Codec2 delivers clear voice communication under weak-signal conditions