Ham radio guides
Plain-English guides, from getting licensed to your first contact and beyond.
Topic: HF
7 guides · Clear filtersAn introduction to amateur radio: what it is, why people do it, and how you can get started with this rewarding hobby.
A complete beginner guide to FT8: what it is, what you need, and how to make your first FT8 contact.
A practical guide to choosing your first ham radio, from budget handhelds to HF transceivers.
Understanding how HF radio signals travel around the world by bouncing off the ionosphere.
Getting started with Parks on the Air: how to activate parks and chase activators.
How to interpret solar indices, band condition forecasts, and predict when the bands will be open.
Everything you need to know about dipole antennas: how they work, how to build one, and how to install it.