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One of amateur radio’s most practical digital services is Winlink, a worldwide radio email system that allows operators to send and receive messages without relying on traditional internet infrastructure. Winlink uses a network of radio gateways connected to the internet, allowing stations to exchange messages over HF, VHF, or UHF frequencies. During emergencies, messages can…
FT8 has become one of the most widely used digital modes in amateur radio, especially during periods of poor band conditions and low solar activity. Developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT, and the WSJT-X development team, FT8 was designed to allow reliable communication using very weak signals. Unlike traditional voice communication, FT8 exchanges are highly structured…
I recently built a new AllStarLink node using the current AllStarLink 3 distribution on a Raspberry Pi with a SHARI Pi3U radio interface. This post is not intended to be a line-by-line installation manual, because the exact screens and package versions will change over time. Instead, it is a high-level walkthrough of the process I…
One of the first questions new amateur radio operators ask after receiving their license is, “What should I do now?” The temptation is often to immediately begin transmitting, making contacts, or purchasing additional equipment. While enthusiasm is one of the greatest strengths of the amateur radio community, there is considerable value in spending time listening…
In light of recent disasters in the Southeast caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, this month I take a look at one aspect of preparedness overlooked by me. In reading about the destruction caused in Western North Carolina, I found one recommendation that I had not thought of before: having access to maps that do…