About KD2DMR.com
KD2DMR.com is a community-driven hub built for amateur radio operators at every level — from newly licensed Technicians to seasoned Extra class operators.
Here you'll find educational content on antenna theory and construction, a peer-to-peer marketplace for ham radio equipment, and a curated directory of the best resources the amateur radio world has to offer. Whether you're building your first dipole or chasing DX on 10m, this is your corner of the airwaves.
About the Operator
The operator behind KD2DMR is a passionate amateur radio enthusiast with a love for building antennas from scratch and experimenting with digital modes.
With interests ranging from HF DX chasing to emergency communications preparedness, KD2DMR is an active participant in the local ham radio community and a firm believer that amateur radio is one of the last great technical hobbies. This site is a personal project aimed at giving back to the community that made it all possible.
What Is Ham Radio?
A plain-English guide for regular people who want to know what amateur radio is, why it matters, and how to get started.
The Short Answer
Ham radio (officially called "amateur radio") is a hobby and public service where licensed operators use radio waves to communicate across town, across the country, or around the world — without relying on the internet, cell towers, or any existing infrastructure. When the phones go down and the internet is out, ham radio still works. That's not a sales pitch. That's literally why the FCC licenses amateur radio operators: to maintain a pool of trained communicators ready for emergencies.
Why Should You Care?
Ham radio isn't just a hobby for old men in basements (though we do that too, and it's great). Here's what it actually does for regular people:
Emergency Communication
When hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or ice storms knock out power and cell service, ham operators are the ones who keep information flowing. ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) volunteers work with FEMA, the Red Cross, and local emergency management to relay messages when nothing else works. During Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, and the 2023 Maui wildfires, ham radio was the only communication in and out of affected areas for days.
Storm Spotting & Weather
SKYWARN is a NOAA program where trained ham radio operators report real-time severe weather — funnel clouds, hail size, wind damage — directly to the National Weather Service. NWS relies on these ground-truth reports because radar can't see everything. If you live in tornado alley or hurricane country, hams are part of the early warning system that keeps you safe.
Community & Friendship
Ham radio is a worldwide community. You can talk to astronauts on the International Space Station, chat with a farmer in New Zealand, help a sailor in the middle of the ocean, or just catch up with locals on a Friday night net. There are ham radio clubs in nearly every town, hamfests (swap meets) all summer, and online communities 24/7. It's one of the few hobbies where a 12-year-old and an 80-year-old talk as equals.
Learn Real Technology
Ham radio teaches you how radio waves actually work, how to build antennas from wire and PVC, how to solder, how to read schematics, and how digital modes work. Many engineers, electricians, and tech professionals got their start in ham radio. Kids who get licensed often end up in STEM careers. It's hands-on learning that doesn't cost much and never gets old.
Off-Grid & Preparedness
If you're into camping, overlanding, sailing, or just being prepared for when things go sideways, ham radio is the original off-grid communication. A handheld radio running on AA batteries can reach repeaters 50+ miles away. A wire antenna thrown in a tree and a 100-watt radio can reach the other side of the planet. No subscription, no monthly fee, no ISP required.
It's Just Fun
There's a thrill that never goes away when you hear a voice coming back to you from 8,000 miles away on a wire you hung in a tree. Or when you make contact with the International Space Station as it passes overhead. Or when you complete "Parks on the Air" from a mountaintop. Ham radio is exploration, experimentation, and connection — all rolled into one hobby that costs less than a phone.
How Does It Actually Work?
No engineering degree required. Here's the plain version:
You Get a License
The FCC requires a license to transmit on ham radio frequencies. Don't let that scare you — the entry-level license (Technician) is a 35-question multiple-choice exam. No Morse code required (that was dropped in 2007). You study a free study guide (or use an app like HamStudy.org) for a week or two, pass the test at a local exam session, and you're licensed for life. The exam costs $15.
You Get a Radio
A handheld VHF/UHF radio (called an "HT") starts around $30. The Baofeng UV-5R is the classic starter radio — cheap, works fine, gets you on local repeaters. A step up gets you into mobile radios for your car ($100-200) or HF base stations for worldwide communication ($300-1000+ used, $500-1500 new). You don't need the expensive stuff to start. Many hams do everything they want with a $50 radio and a homemade wire antenna.
You Put Up an Antenna
The antenna matters more than the radio. For local communication, a small antenna on your roof or even the one attached to the handheld works fine. For long-distance (HF), you hang a wire dipole in a tree, put up a vertical in the yard, or string an end-fed wire from your house to a pole. You can build a working antenna for under $20 in parts from the hardware store. Our Education Center has antenna calculators and guides to help.
You Get On the Air
Turn it on, tune to a frequency, and press the button. That's it. You can check into a local net (like the N0SWR Net on 7.185 MHz), call "CQ" to see who answers, join a digital mode contact through your computer, or just listen to see who's out there. Making a "QSO" (a two-way contact) for the first time is a feeling you won't forget.
License Levels Explained
Three levels, each gives you more frequencies and privileges. You start at the bottom and work up.
Technician
35-question exam. Gives you VHF/UHF (local, line-of-sight) and limited HF privileges (voice on 10m, CW/data on a few other bands). This is where everyone starts. Good for local repeaters, handheld radios, and getting your feet wet. Most people pass after 1-2 weeks of study.
General
35-question exam (must already hold Technician). Opens up most HF bands for voice and data. This is the sweet spot — you can talk worldwide, use all the popular digital modes, and chase DX (long-distance contacts). Most hams stop here and never need more.
Extra
50-question exam. Unlocks all amateur frequencies and modes. Mostly for serious DXers, contesters, and people who want full access to every band segment. Nice to have, but not necessary to have a great time in ham radio.
How to Get Started (This Weekend)
You can go from zero to licensed in a weekend if you want to. Here's the fastest path:
Study for free. Go to HamStudy.org and create a free account. Pick the Technician pool and run through the practice tests. The questions are public (the exact pool you'll be tested on), so you're studying the real test. Most people are ready in 8-15 hours of study.
Find an exam session. Go to ARRL's exam search and find a session near you. Most clubs offer them monthly. Many sessions are now online via video call — you can take the test from home. The exam fee is $15 (one fee covers one attempt at all three levels if you're feeling ambitious).
Pass the test. 35 multiple-choice questions, need 26 correct (74%). It's not hard if you studied. You get your callsign from the FCC within a few days (sometimes same day). Once your callsign appears in the FCC database, you're legally allowed to transmit.
Buy a radio. Start with a Baofeng UV-5R ($30 on Amazon) or a Yaesu FT-65R ($80). Both are handheld VHF/UHF radios that get you on local repeaters immediately. You can upgrade to an HF radio later when you want to talk worldwide.
Get on the air. Program a local repeater into your radio (use RepeaterBook.com to find one), listen for a while, then make your first call. Say your callsign and "monitoring" — someone will answer. Welcome to ham radio.
Questions People Actually Ask
The stuff you're probably wondering right now:
"Do I need to know Morse code?"
No. The Morse code requirement was eliminated in 2007. You can learn it if you want (some hams love it), but it is not required for any license. You can use voice, digital modes (text via computer), or even send email over radio (Winlink) without ever touching a code key.
"Is it expensive?"
No. A handheld radio is $30-80. A study guide is free. The exam is $15. A wire antenna for HF can be made for $20 in parts. You can have a fully functional station that talks around the world for under $150 total. If you get serious later, you can spend more, but you don't have to. This is one of the cheapest technical hobbies there is.
"Can I just use a CB or walkie-talkie instead?"
CB and FRS walkie-talkies are fine for short-range chatter, but they're limited to a few watts, a few channels, and a few miles of range. Ham radio gives you access to hundreds of frequency bands, repeaters that extend your range by 50+ miles, HF bands that reach the other side of the planet, and modes like digital text, images, and email. It's the difference between a tricycle and a car.
"Is ham radio still relevant with cell phones and internet?"
More relevant, not less. Cell towers and internet rely on infrastructure that can fail (power outage, fiber cut, overloaded network, natural disaster). Ham radio is self-contained — you bring your own transmitter, your own antenna, and your own power. When everything else fails, ham radio works. That's why FEMA, the Red Cross, and every emergency management agency in the country include amateur radio in their plans. But it's not just emergencies — it's also a hobby that connects you to people and places no phone ever will.
"How old do you have to be?"
There is no age limit. The youngest licensed ham in the US was 5 years old. Kids pass the Technician exam all the time. There are hams in their 90s. It's one of the few hobbies where age literally doesn't matter — a 10-year-old Extra class operator outranks a 60-year-old Technician on the air, and nobody cares.
Ready to Get Started?
You're already in the right place. KD2DMR.com has everything you need — study resources, antenna guides, gear reviews, and a community of hams happy to help.
Explore KD2DMR.com
Everything you need in one place — learn, shop, and discover.
Band Conditions & Tools
Real-time solar data and quick callsign lookup, right on the homepage.
Solar & Band Conditions
Callsign Lookup
Search QRZ.com for any ham radio callsign worldwide.
Featured Gear
Latest listings from the KD2DMR marketplace — updated live from the database.
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What's New
Recent additions and updates to KD2DMR.com
New Section: "What Is Ham Radio?" — A Guide for the General Public
A plain-English introduction to amateur radio for non-hams. Covers what it is, why it matters (emergencies, storm spotting, community), how to get licensed, and how to get on the air — all in one scrollable page.
Homepage Enhanced — Featured Listings & Band Conditions
The homepage now features live marketplace listings pulled from the database, a solar/band conditions widget with NOAA data, and an integrated callsign lookup tool.
New Tutorial: Building a 40m End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna
Step-by-step guide covering wire cutting, UNUN winding, and feedline placement for a high-performance HF antenna.
Marketplace Launch — Buy, Sell & Trade Opens
The KD2DMR peer-to-peer gear marketplace is now live. List your equipment and find deals from fellow hams.
Resources Directory Updated — 20+ New Links Added
The community resources page has been expanded with POTA, SOTA, Winlink, and more propagation tools.
Education Center
Learn antenna theory, build radio equipment, master digital modes, and prepare for your license exam.
Tutorials & Guides
Antenna Theory & Construction
Dipole, end-fed, and vertical antenna design principles. Calculate wire lengths, understand radiation patterns, and build your own antennas.
Digital Modes
FT8, FT4, PSK31, and RTTY operation guides. Set up WSJT-X, configure your interface, and start making digital contacts.
Licensing Prep
Study guides for Technician, General, and Extra class exams. Practice questions, frequency privileges, and test-taking tips.
Emergency Communications
ARES and RACES training, net procedures, Winlink setup, and emergency preparedness for amateur radio operators.
Have a Tutorial to Share?
The Education Center grows with community contributions. Submit your antenna project, operating guide, or technical writeup.
Submit a TutorialHam Radio Marketplace
Buy, sell & trade with fellow licensed operators. Quality gear from the ham community.
Active Listings
All transactions are between individual licensed amateur radio operators.
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Marketplace Guidelines
This marketplace is for licensed amateur radio operators. All transactions are between individuals — KD2DMR.com is not a party to any sale.
Community Resources
Everything you need to grow as a ham operator — organized, curated, and always up to date.
Licensing & Organizations
ARRL
The American Radio Relay League — the national association for amateur radio in the US. Licensing manuals, frequency charts, contests, awards, and advocacy for ham radio operators.
OrganizationHamStudy.org
Free interactive practice exams for Technician, General, and Extra class licenses. Smart flashcard system tracks your progress and focuses on weak areas.
StudyFCC ULS
The FCC Universal Licensing System — search for your license, renew online, update your address, and manage your amateur radio license registration.
LicensingGLAARG
The Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group — a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) offering amateur radio license exams across the US. Online and in-person testing.
ExamsCallsign Lookup & Logging
QRZ.com
The world's largest ham radio callsign database. Look up any callsign, create a personal bio page, access the community forums, and log contacts.
DirectoryLogbook of the World (LoTW)
ARRL's official online contact confirmation system. Required for ARRL awards like DXCC and WAS. Upload your log, confirm contacts, and earn endorsements.
AwardseQSL
Electronic QSL card exchange — send and receive digital QSL cards from operators worldwide. A modern alternative to paper cards for contact confirmation.
QSL CardsClubLog
Contest and DX logging platform with DXCC statistics, league tables, and detailed analysis. Popular with serious DXers chasing rare entities.
DX LoggingDX & Propagation
DXZone
Comprehensive DX resource directory with thousands of categorized links — propagation, DXpeditions, software, operating aids, and more.
DX ResourcePSKReporter
Real-time propagation map based on digital mode decodes (FT8, PSK31, etc.) from worldwide receivers. See where your signal is being heard right now.
PropagationVOACAP
Professional HF propagation prediction tool based on the ITU-R VOACAP model. Predict circuit reliability between any two points on earth.
PropagationDX Maps
Real-time interactive propagation maps showing DX cluster spots and beacon reception. Great for checking band conditions at a glance before operating.
Real-TimeRepeaters & Local
RepeaterBook
The most comprehensive amateur radio repeater directory. Search by location, frequency, or callsign. Export frequencies directly to your radio.
DirectoryRadioReference
The world's largest radio frequency database. Covers amateur radio, public safety, business, military, and more. Includes trunked systems and scanner programming.
Frequency DBAPRS.fi
Live APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) tracking map. See the real-time location of ham operators, weather stations, aircraft, and mobile stations.
APRS / TrackingActivities & Programs
Parks on the Air (POTA)
Activate national and state parks by operating portable ham radio. A hugely popular program that combines outdoor adventure with amateur radio operating.
Portable OpsSummits on the Air (SOTA)
Hike to a summit and operate ham radio for points. A global program that rewards both activators (operating from summits) and chasers (contacting them).
Portable OpsAMSAT
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation — builds and operates amateur satellites. Work the ISS crew, access the Fox-1 CubeSats, and explore satellite communication.
SatellitesWinlink
Email over radio — send and receive emails via the Winlink global radio network. Critical for emergency communications when internet infrastructure fails.
EmCommNews & Community
eHam.net
Ham radio's largest equipment review site. Thousands of real user reviews on transceivers, antennas, and accessories, plus active community forums.
ReviewsHam Radio Prep
Modern licensing study courses with structured video content and practice exams. A great option if you prefer guided learning over flashcard-style study tools.
StudyKnow a Great Resource We're Missing?
Help us keep this directory up to date. Submit your suggestion and we'll review it for inclusion.
Suggest a ResourceN0SWR Net
Daily net at 22:00 UTC on 7.185 MHz — station map, stats, and top operators.
📡 MY QSO MAP
Drop your ADIF log file here to see everywhere your station has reached.
or click to browse
MONTHLY ACTIVITY
Nov 2025 — Jul 2026NET SCHEDULE
ABOUT THE N0SWR NET
The N0SWR Net is a daily amateur radio net meeting at 22:00 UTC on 7.185 MHz LSB. Founded and run by Jeremy Vickerd (KD2DMR), the net has grown to over 3,500 operators across all 50 US states and 34 countries, with over 13,000 total check-ins in just 9 months of operation.
This page mirrors the station map and statistics from noswr.net — 2,228 operators plotted with their grid squares and check-in counts. The net features a Worked All States (WAS) tracker, live check-in logging, and real-time mapping.
STATION MAP
2,228 operators mapped — all who have checked in to the N0SWR Net
🏆 TOP OPERATORS
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🗺️ ACTIVITY BY STATE
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📋 RECENT CHECK-INS
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JOIN THE NET
Tune in to 7.185 MHz LSB daily at 22:00 UTC and check in with Net Control.
The Old Wire BBS
Step back to the days of dial-up — ham radio info, terminal-style.
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ||K ||||D ||||2 ||||D ||||M ||||R || ||__||||__||||__||||__||||__||||__|| |/__\|/__\|/__\|/__\|/__\|/__\|/__\|
"May the bands be open and the noise floor low"
Ready to Get on the Air?
Whether you're studying for your license or hunting DX from your shack, KD2DMR.com has something for you.