Radio Shuts Down on Transmit? Check Your Power Wiring

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.

Tiny QMX POTA Station Puts USB-C Power to Work

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.

Obsidian Wave: Hams Practice Passing Messages During a Blackout

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.

Beyond 599: Give Useful CW Signal Reports

When making a Morse code contact, give a report that matches what you hear. The three RST numbers describe readability (1–5), signal strength (1–9), and tone quality (1–9).

For example, 539 means perfectly readable, weak, and a clean tone. A signal can be easy to copy without being strong!

During everyday contacts, an honest report helps QRP operators check antenna changes and spot signal problems. Listen carefully instead of sending an automatic 599.

See the RSGB guide to RST signal reports.

For more practical ham-radio guides and reviews, visit KE2YK.com.

Watch the Band Edge—Your SSB Signal Needs Room

Your radio’s display tells only part of the story. On upper sideband (USB), your voice signal spreads above the displayed frequency. On lower sideband (LSB), it spreads below it.

ARRL Volunteer Monitors sent notices to hams using SSB on 7.299 MHz for operating too close to the band edge. That’s a useful reminder for all of us, including those running just five watts.

Before calling CQ, leave enough room for your whole signal to stay within the band limits allowed by your license. A dial reading inside the band is not enough.

Read ARRL’s Volunteer Monitor report (PDF).

For more practical ham-radio guides and reviews, visit KE2YK.com.

Tiny 5-Watt QRP Tuner Adds a Chance to Try 160 Meters

Japan’s QSY team has made its small antenna tuner even smaller and added support for trying the 160-meter band. It handles up to five watts and uses one tuning knob—a handy idea for hams who like to pack light.

There’s a catch: tuning depends on your wire length and setup, especially on 80 and 160 meters. The report lists 160–10 meter coverage, but also quotes the builder giving a 15-meter upper limit. Check those limits before planning your antenna.

Read the full story at hamlife.jp (Japanese).

For more practical ham-radio guides and reviews, visit KE2YK.com.

Watch the Band Edge—Your SSB Signal Needs Room

Your radio’s display does not show all the space your voice signal uses. Upper sideband (USB) spreads above the displayed frequency. Lower sideband (LSB) spreads below it.

ARRL Volunteer Monitors sent notices to hams using SSB on 7.299 MHz for operating too close to the band edge. It’s a useful reminder: leave enough room for your whole signal to stay inside the band limits allowed by your license—even when running just five watts.

Read ARRL’s Volunteer Monitor report (PDF).

For more practical ham-radio guides and reviews, visit KE2YK.com. 

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