Earning an amateur radio license is a milestone. Helping someone else earn theirs is something entirely different. After becoming an ARRL Volunteer Examiner (VE), I quickly learned that the role is much more than simply handing out exam papers and…
By now, you’ve learned what Meshtastic is, built your first node, and explored how to deploy a solar-powered relay. This fourth part in the series has taken a while to write as i had to learn a good bit more…
My Local Amateur Radio Club
CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) and DCS (Digital-Coded Squelch) are privacy code systems used in analog two-way radio communications. They do not create new channels nor encrypt your communications — they simply help radios filter which transmissions are accepted (i.e.,…
Now from a different prespective One Radio vs. Purpose-Built Stack — Which Wins in 2026? If you’ve spent any time in DMR, APRS, or mixed-mode VHF/UHF work, you’ve probably faced this decision: This comparison breaks down: The Philosophical Difference Before…
One Radio to Rule Them All… or Two Radios Done Right? The Question As handheld radios evolve, we’re seeing a push toward “do everything in one box” radios like the AnyTone AT-D890UV. At the same time, many experienced operators still prefer a modular approach—pairing…
If you’ve spent any time running DMR, APRS, or multi-mode handhelds, you already know the usual trade-offs: power vs. battery, features vs. usability, and analog vs. digital flexibility. The AnyTone AT-D890UV is one of the first radios that genuinely tries to eliminate…
If you’re shopping for a GMRS handheld in 2026, you’ve probably noticed the market has split into two camps: The BTech GMRS-V2, Retevis/Ailunce HA1G, and Radioddity GM-30 Plus all sit squarely between those two extremes. Each is a capable GMRS…
The BTECH GMRS-V2 is a purpose-built GMRS handheld designed for users who want reliable local communications without stepping into the complexity of amateur (ham) radio licensing. Built by BTECH, the GMRS-V2 focuses on durability, straightforward operation, and full compliance with…
There’s a moment in ham radio that never really gets old. You’re sitting at a desk—or maybe in a truck parked on a ridge—listening to static ebb and flow. You twist a dial, tune a frequency, and suddenly a human…