DXRadar Blog
Science-backed guides on HF propagation, solar weather, and operating — written for licensed amateur radio operators who demand accuracy.
Recent Articles
Best HF Amplifier for Ham Radio: When 100W Beats a New Radio
HF amplifiers for QRP radios — Xiegu XPA125B vs GPA100, what 10dB actually buys you on the air, and when band choice beats watts.
Best Antenna Tuner for Ham Radio in 2026: Auto Tuners Ranked
The best antenna tuners for ham radio in 2026 — automatic LDG tuners for the shack and field, plus when a built-in ATU is all you need. Real prices and honest picks.
Best SDR for Ham Radio in 2026: Cheap Receivers for Watching Propagation
The best SDR receivers for ham radio in 2026 — from a $42 RTL-SDR to an HF-ready bundle. Cheap software-defined radios for monitoring propagation and WSPR.
Best Power Supply for Ham Radio: 13.8V Sizing Done Right
How to size a 13.8V shack power supply from your radio's real transmit draw — plus switching vs linear, RF noise, and current picks.
Best Antenna Analyzer for Ham Radio 2026: NanoVNA vs RigExpert vs SWR Meter
The best antenna analyzers for ham radio in 2026 — from a $58 SWR meter to a $97 NanoVNA to a premium RigExpert. Which one tunes your antenna best, and why.
Icom IC-7300 vs Yaesu FT-710 vs FT-991A: Which HF Radio Should You Buy?
Icom IC-7300 vs Yaesu FT-710 vs FT-991A compared for 2026 — receiver, features, bands, and price. A clear buy-this-if decision guide with real pricing.
Xiegu G90 vs X6100 vs Icom IC-705: The Portable HF Decision
G90, X6100, or IC-705 for portable HF? Compared on power, current draw, battery runtime, tuner, and bands — from published specs, with honest trade-offs.
OpenHamClock Setup Guide: The Community HamClock Successor
How to run OpenHamClock — hosted site, local install on a Raspberry Pi or PC, and Docker — plus what it includes and how it compares to HamClock.
DXMaps Alternatives: Live DX & Propagation Maps Compared (2026)
Honest comparison of live DX map tools — DXMaps, DXHeat, DXLook, HamDXMap, PSKReporter, and DXRadar — by data source, bands, mobile use, and embedding.
Best Handheld Ham Radio in 2026: From $16 Baofeng to Digital Yaesu
The best handheld ham radios in 2026, ranked by budget and need — from the $16 Baofeng UV-5R to a rugged Yaesu analog and a digital APRS HT. Real prices and ratings.
Best VHF/UHF Antenna for Ham Radio 2026: Handheld, Mobile & Base Picks
The best 2m/70cm antennas for ham radio in 2026, by mount type — a $21 handheld whip, a mobile mag-mount, and high-gain base verticals. Real prices and picks.
Anderson Powerpole Setup for Field Power: The Ham Standard, Done Right
How to build an Anderson Powerpole field power system — Red Right Tongue Top, contact sizes by wire gauge, crimping, fusing, and the kit worth buying.