If you have spent time monitoring the 2-meter amateur radio band, you may have heard short bursts of digital noise on 144.390 MHz. Those bursts are probably APRS packets carrying position reports, weather information, text messages, telemetry, or other useful…
September 2026 My Raspberry Pi–based DigiPi has become an important part of my amateur-radio setup. I primarily use it for APRS with Dire Wolf, but DigiPi supports many additional digital-radio applications in a compact package. On 5 September 2026, I…
Dire Wolf turns a Linux computer or Raspberry Pi into a software-based packet radio TNC. It can decode APRS packets, transmit position beacons, operate as an APRS Internet Gateway, and provide a network connection for applications such as Xastir, YAAC,…
An APRS iGate receives Automatic Packet Reporting System packets over radio and forwards them to the APRS-IS network. This lets stations heard in your area appear on services such as APRS.fi and helps fill gaps in APRS coverage. You can…
On the Kenwood TH-D75A, you can put Band B, the lower display, into Memory Channel mode while Band A remains in whatever mode you want. Kenwood confirms that pressing [MR] enters Memory Channel mode. By default, it allows recall from…
Better option for mobile use: SmartBeaconing If you’re using the FT-5D while driving, I recommend SmartBeaconing instead of a fixed 5-minute timer. It changes the beacon timing based on your speed and direction. Set: [F MENU] → APRS → 27…
For amateur radio operators, few tools provide as much insight into antenna performance and HF propagation as WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter). Whether you’re experimenting with a new antenna, comparing feedline configurations, evaluating solar conditions, or simply curious about how…
Starter notes for MeshCore experiments.
In an age of smartphones, satellites, high-speed internet, and digital communication, it’s easy to assume that Morse code has become a relic of the past. Yet every day, thousands of amateur radio operators around the world continue to communicate using…
Moving beyond your first amateur radio license is one of the most rewarding steps in the hobby. Passing the General and Amateur Extra examinations opens entirely new sections of the spectrum, introduces more operating opportunities, and gives you access to…