The Ham Radio Lab

A deep-dive review and field strategy analysis of the Yaesu FTX-1 Optima transceiver from a General Class operator. Learn why its 10W/100W modularity beats existing field rigs like the IC-705 and FT-891.

Late summer ham radio update from The Ham Radio Lab: battling the Texas heat with portable POTA activations, weekly Saturday fox hunts with local club members, and preparing for a busy autumn work season.

Join me as I step out of the home shack for my very first POTA activation at Texas’s Eisenhower State Park (US-3005). Discover how a clever dual-operator 'buddy-box' setup, a supportive community, and a local club potluck helped me beat an unexpected case of mic fright to log 22 contacts in under an hour!

Ready to take your ham radio hobby outdoors? Discover the world of Parks on the Air (POTA). Learn how to register at pota.app, find local parks, and the essential rules for a successful 10-contact activation. Perfect for new Generals looking for adventure!

Like many of you, the start of Spring (or maybe just a particularly inspiring QSO!) gets me thinking about what I want to achieve in our fantastic hobby. Amateur radio is such a vast playground, and it’s easy to get distracted by all the shiny new things or venerable old boat anchors!, just read a couple of my last posts for details. So going forward, I’m trying to be more focused and intentional on what I want to do and achieve. I’ve set myself three main goals, centered around organization, operation, and exploration.