Restrictive HOA rules can keep hams from putting up useful antennas—even for a five-watt station. An HOA advocacy group is opposing federal bills aimed at protecting amateur-radio antenna installations.
Want to help? Learn what the bills propose and tell your members of Congress why practical antennas matter. This is an ongoing debate, not a change in law.
Read the report at Amateur Radio Daily.
For practical ham-radio guides, visit KE2YK.com.
Living in an HOA community can make putting up a ham antenna tough. The Community Associations Institute, which represents community associations, is opposing the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act. It wants associations to keep control over antenna approval.
The proposed bills, H.R. 1094 and S. 459, aim to give hams more protection from private antenna restrictions. For QRP operators working with limited antenna space, this is worth following.
The October 21 report covers lobbying efforts—not a new vote or change in law.
Read the full story at Amateur Radio Daily.
For practical antenna ideas and ham-radio guides, visit KE2YK.com.
Planning to sell a rig or handheld on eBay? The marketplace has added an FCC ID field for applicable listings and says missing information may keep those listings from reaching U.S. buyers.
Liz Morton at Value Added Resource reports an October 13, 2026 start. Her report, published October 8 and updated October 10, also highlights unanswered questions about used equipment and devices that do not require an FCC ID.
Before listing your gear, check what applies to that exact radio. A model or serial number cannot replace an FCC ID.
Read the report:
https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-fcc-id/
Your portable radio receives fine, but restarts when you call CQ. Before blaming the battery, check the power cables. Long, thin wires or loose connections can leave your rig short of voltage when it transmits.
The new KE2YK guide explains how to choose cable size, check connectors, place a fuse near the battery, and test voltage while transmitting. These simple checks can help prevent a frustrating end to your next QRP or POTA outing.
Give your power wiring a check before heading to the park.
Read the full guide: Portable Power Wiring—How to Stop Voltage Drop at KE2YK.com.
Duane Angle, AA5KD, paired a QRP Labs QMX radio with a small M5Stack Tab5 computer for a compact Parks on the Air setup. The Tab5 supports FT4/FT8 digital contacts and shows signals on a waterfall display.
A USB-C Power Delivery battery bank and PocketPD adjustable power module supply the radio. A small ATU-10 antenna tuner rounds out the kit. During a club demonstration, Duane made contacts in five states.
It’s a useful idea for hams looking to pack light. The key is matching the power bank, module, and cables to the radio’s voltage needs.
See the station and parts list at SCARS.
For more practical ham-radio guides and reviews, visit KE2YK.com.
About 50 hams across the United States and Puerto Rico joined Obsidian Wave 1 on September 19. The four-hour drill tested radio messaging during a simulated power-grid failure.
Operators passed messages over HF and VHF radio. The test worked, but it also showed a need for more practice and improvements.
For QRP and portable operators, the takeaway is simple: practice with your battery-powered station before you need it. Owning the gear is only part of being ready.
Read the full report in the Midland Daily News.
For more practical ham-radio guides and reviews, visit KE2YK.com.
